Martial Arts near Ivanhoe
Martial Arts for Ivanhoe
Kids, teens and adults · about 2 km west of Ivanhoe
Martial arts close to Ivanhoe
Ivanhoe families looking for a serious, long-established martial arts school don’t have to go far. Our dojo is about two kilometres west of Ivanhoe, just across Darebin Creek, where Dundas St meets Chifley Drive. Bell St gets you there in a few minutes.
We’ve been teaching martial arts since 1997. Our students range from four-year-olds in their first uniform to adults earning black belts, and many have trained with us for well over a decade.
Select your programme here
Ninja Stars4½ to 7Fun, foundational martial arts for coordination, focus and confidence.
Samurai Warriors8 to 10Self defence, discipline and fitness for primary school kids.
Junior Adults11 to 15Self defence focused training for teens, including knife defence basics.
Adults Martial Arts16+Practical martial arts and self defence, day and evening classes.
Fitness Kickboxing16+Non-contact pad and bag workouts for all fitness levels.
BJJ16+Beginner-friendly Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Gi and No-Gi.For Ivanhoe kids after school
Kids classes start at 4:15pm Monday to Thursday, which gives time to get across from Ivanhoe Primary, St Bernadette’s, Mary Immaculate or the junior campuses of Ivanhoe Grammar and Ivanhoe Girls’ Grammar. Ninja Stars (4½ to 7) and Samurai Warriors (8 to 10) build confidence, coordination, focus and real self defence skills, with our Kids Life Skills programme in every class. Teens train in Junior Adults (11 to 15).
Belts that mean something
Every belt at Guest’s Martial Arts is earned on the mat. Students are graded during class when they’re ready, there are never grading fees, and our senior students hold black belt ranks that took years of steady training. For Ivanhoe parents, that means a clear path for your child with no surprise costs along the way.
Adults from Ivanhoe
Adults train in 90-minute martial arts and self defence classes at 7:15pm on weeknights, 9:30am on Tuesday and Thursday, and 12:45pm on Saturday, covering striking, throws, locks, weapons and Knife Defence. Prefer a pure workout? Fitness Kickboxing near Ivanhoe runs eight times a week.
Ivanhoe parents’ most common question
“My child is shy. Will they cope?” Almost always, yes. Our instructors are used to quiet children, and the first classes are about having fun and feeling safe rather than performing. Within a few weeks most shy kids are calling out answers, helping newer students and proudly showing off new techniques at home. Confidence built on the mat tends to show up at school and on the sports field too.
From Ivanhoe to the dojo
Most Ivanhoe families drive up to Bell St, head west over Darebin Creek and turn left into Chifley Drive, which meets Dundas St at the corner. It usually takes only a few minutes from the Upper Heidelberg Rd shops.
Bus route 510 links Ivanhoe with Thornbury, and the Darebin Creek Trail through Darebin Parklands is a pleasant ride if you’d rather leave the car at home.
Find the dojo
272 Dundas St, Thornbury VIC 3071
Corner of Chifley Drive, on the Thornbury–Preston border
Parking nearby, about 2 km from Ivanhoe.
Open in Google MapsWhat our students and parents say
My young son has been attending Guests Martial Arts for over three years, and it's really helped him with agility and coordination, and increased confidence in his physical abilities. … Lessons include discussions about things like friendships, positive social behaviour, sensible risk taking, and there are also reward programs for reading and good manners.
— Dan P.
I’ve studied seven or eight martial arts myself over the years, but I’ve never seen a dojo so welcoming, or less driven by ego. … I really don’t think there’s a better martial arts venue in Melbourne.
— Aaron S.
Brilliant school- set up really well for kids (and adults), multiple classes divided by age, very motivating for kids to progress through belts, teachers all great with kids and supportive, additional discussions on discipline and motivation…
— Antonia J.
As a parent I'm very grateful for my son to have good adult influences outside of school and family and Thornbury Martial Arts provides just that - physical training, Self Defence skills, fun & games and good adult influences in a safe environment.
— Erik D.
I’ve been training here for over 7 years now. The staff are kind, professional and extremely welcoming and the community is second to none! … My confidence and fitness has improved greatly
— Anthony V.
Kids and adults timetable
Ninja Stars (4½ to 7) - 45 Minutes
Ninja Stars is our beginner martial arts programme for ages 4½ to 7, focused on confidence, coordination, and listening skills.
5:00 pm
5:00 pm
9:45 am
11:15 am
Samurai Warriors (8 to 10) - 45 Minutes
Samurai Warriors is designed for ages 8 to 10, building discipline, fitness, and practical Self-Defence awareness.
5:00 pm
5:45 pm
5:45 pm
6:30 pm
5:00 pm
5:45 pm
6:30 pm
9:45 am
10:30 am
Junior Adults (11 to 15) - 45 Minutes
Junior Adults is our teen programme for ages 11 to 15, bridging kids and adult training with a strong Self-Defence focus.
5:45 pm
6:30 pm
5:45 pm
5:45 pm
6:30 pm
5:45 pm
Adults Martial Arts (16+) - 90 Minutes
Adults Martial Arts and Self Defence is suitable for beginners through to advanced students.
If you are new, arrive 15 minutes early and we will get you set up.
Martial arts near Ivanhoe: common questions
How far is the dojo from Ivanhoe?
About 2 km west, across Darebin Creek, at 272 Dundas St, Thornbury. Most of Ivanhoe is a few minutes away via Bell St and Chifley Drive.
What martial arts do you teach Ivanhoe kids?
Ninja Stars (4½ to 7), Samurai Warriors (8 to 10) and Junior Adults (11 to 15): self defence based martial arts with Kids Life Skills in every class.
Are there grading fees?
No, never. Students are graded in class when they’re ready.
Do you have morning classes for adults?
Yes. Adults Martial Arts runs at 9:30am on Tuesday and Thursday, plus weeknight and Saturday classes.
How do we get started?
Book a free trial online: 4 free classes plus a free uniform for kids, teens and adults.
More near Ivanhoe
See self defence classes near Ivanhoe, kickboxing near Ivanhoe and all our kids martial arts classes.
Nearby: martial arts for Bellfield, martial arts near Heidelberg and martial arts near Alphington.
From Ivanhoe? Four classes free, uniform included.
Contact Guest's Martial Arts
Interested in training? Contact us to find out more about our classes or arrange a free trial.
- Phone03 9495 1929
- Emailadmin@guestsmartialarts.com.au
- Address272 Dundas St, Thornbury VIC 3071