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Valor Martial Arts

5 ★★★★★ 21 Google reviews · Krav Maga school in Lakeland, Florida

Krav Maga school Free intro Certified Beginners welcome Kids & teens LE & military

Certified school — reviews and the school's own info point to a recognized Krav Maga certifying organization (think Krav Maga Worldwide, IKMF, KMG or Krav Maga Alliance). If certification matters to you, ask which organization they're certified through and what certification level their instructors hold.

Plan your first class

  • Free intro class most schools welcome newcomers with a free intro or trial class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
  • Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
  • Kids & teens Krav Maga classes for kids — built around confidence, focus, and staying safe
  • LE & military training for law enforcement, military, and security professionals — ask about dedicated or group programs
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule valormartialartsfl.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 912-536-2280

Hours

Monday 5:30–8 pm
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday Closed
Thursday Closed
Friday Closed
Saturday 2:30–6 pm
Sunday Closed

Hours shift for holidays, seminars, and open-gym times — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

Krav Maga classes on the schedule at Valor Martial Arts, confirmed in students' own reviews and the school's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Krav Maga 6 mentions

“The instructors genuinely care about the kids and create a safe, positive environment that builds confidence, discipline, and respect.”

All schools that run kids krav maga →

🛡️ Self-Defense 3 mentions

“The focus on both self-defense skills and confidence-building really sets this place apart.”

All schools that run self-defense →

🎖️ Law Enforcement & Military

All schools that run law enforcement & military →

🌱 Beginners

“Even if you have never done any type of martial arts before.”

All schools that run beginners →

Other martial arts here

Krav Maga schools are often multi-discipline. Here's what else students mention training under the same roof at Valor Martial Arts — mined from their reviews and the school's own info.

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the school's own info — they show what students have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want MMA, Muay Thai, boxing, or firearms defense alongside your Krav Maga, confirm the current schedule with the school.

What students say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 21 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, real-world instruction 4 mentions

“Amazing instructors who support and encourage you to be and do your best!”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 3 mentions

“I instantly felt welcome and found a committed, friendly community that I wanted to train with, and a teacher in JD who was exactly the kind of person I wanted to train under.”

🤝 supportive, no-ego gym 22 mentions

“I instantly felt welcome and found a committed, friendly community that I wanted to train with, and a teacher in JD who was exactly the kind of person I wanted to train under.”

🎯 practical, effective technique 3 mentions

“The focus on both self-defense skills and confidence-building really sets this place apart.”

🧠 builds confidence & awareness 6 mentions

“The instructors genuinely care about the kids and create a safe, positive environment that builds confidence, discipline, and respect.”

🤲 patient, hands-on coaching 5 mentions

“The instructors are patient, knowledgeable, and always encouraging, creating a positive and supportive learning environment.”

From the reviews

I trained in Tang Soo Do and Arnis earlier in my life, but then stopped for 15 years. When I found Valor Martial Arts I reached out to JD and then came to watch a class.

★★★★★ — Brian, Jan 2026

Valor Martial Arts truly lives up to its mission of creating an encouraging, family-like environment. The focus on both self-defense skills and confidence-building really sets this place apart. JD Lewis is incredibly kind, treats every student with respect, and is extremely knowledgeable in his skill set.

★★★★★ — Rachel, Jan 2026

Our daughter has been attending for over a year now, and we have seen tremendous improvement. Martial arts has helped her build strength and flexibility while also developing confidence, discipline, respect, and self-control.

★★★★★ — Natasha, Jan 2026

Valor Martial Arts has been a huge blessing to our family. The instructors genuinely care about the kids and create a safe, positive environment that builds confidence, discipline, and respect. We especially love the strong Christian atmosphere and values that align with what we teach at home.

★★★★★ — Jose, Jan 2026

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 21 reviews →

New to Krav Maga? Start at Valor Martial Arts

Valor Martial Arts comes up as a beginner-friendly school — noted on their own site. If you've never thrown a punch or set foot in a self-defense class, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or athletic to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and instructors scale the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard sparring — reputable schools build the fundamentals (stance, movement, and core self-defense techniques) over weeks, and controlled pressure-testing eases in gradually so every drill stays safe. Third, all levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or Level 1 class time so your first session is alongside others who are also just starting out. Most schools are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first Krav Maga class at Valor Martial Arts

Nervous about walking into a Krav Maga school for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good instructors expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling a few core techniques with a partner — controlled and at your own pace, not hard sparring. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: comfortable athletic clothes you can move in — there's no uniform or special gear you need to buy to get started. What to bring: water and a mouthguard if you have one — most schools have everything else you'll need for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call what to bring. Pressure-testing eases in gradually, once your fundamentals are solid — you won't be sparring hard on day one. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign in and meet the instructor. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.

Krav Maga is a contact activity. Ease in, train at your own pace, listen to your instructors, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find Valor Martial Arts

4209 Old Kathleen Rd, Lakeland, FL33810

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and student reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this gym? Claim your listing — it's free.