Madison · Wisconsin

Underground Self-Defense

IndependentEst. 1989

532 State St, Madison, WI 53703

4.844 reviews · via Google

About Underground Self-Defense

Underground Self-Defense is a woman-founded, cooperatively owned martial arts school in Madison, WI teaching Shaolin Kempo Karate, fitness kickboxing and standalone self-defense courses to adults and teens 14+ as well as children. Master Mary Murphy Edwards, a 7th degree black belt and now Commissioner for Unarmed Combat Sports for the State of Wisconsin, founded the State Street location in 1989 and launched one of Madison's first kickboxing programmes ten years later; she sold the business to the next generation in 2013 when it became a cooperative, and it rebranded as Underground Self-Defense in 2021. It is a hybrid cooperative in which all workers are owners, consumers may also become owners, and members elect the board.

Pricing

Memberships

Intro to Martial Arts WorkshopA 90-minute class for beginners curious about martial arts, covering the four ways of fighting, the five kung fu animals, how to categorise martial arts styles and how to spot green and red flags when checking out a new school.

$25

Intro to Martial Arts SpecialNew-student package: 2 months unlimited martial arts and kickboxing classes ($338 value), first uniform and white belt ($50 value) and first pair of hand wraps ($10 value). Stated total value $398.

$249

Programs & discounts

Unlimited adult membershipUnlimited Shaolin Kempo Karate, kickboxing and open dojo classes, plus a members-only video library of rank material. Monthly auto pay, cancel any time. Rank tests offered bimonthly by invitation, test fee applies. Family discounts available.

$169/mo

Unlimited student membershipStudents · Same inclusions as the unlimited adult membership.

$149/mo

1 class per week membership1×/week

$119/mo

Unlimited kickboxing membership

$139/mo

6-Week Intro to Kickboxing courseRecommended for beginners, though not required before starting the weekly drop-in classes.

$149

Visits & passes

Single trial class (Shaolin Kempo Karate)Recommended starting point before joining the weekly drop-in SKK classes.

$25 drop-in

Single class (kickboxing drop-in)New students can start the weekly drop-in kickboxing classes at any time.

$25 drop-in

10-class pass (kickboxing)10 classes/mo · Works out at $22.50 per class.

$225 pack

20-class pass (kickboxing)20 classes/mo · Works out at $18.75 per class.

$375 pack

Trial class

Trials are PAID, not free: $25 for a single Shaolin Kempo Karate trial class and $25 for a single kickboxing class.

Contract

Month-to-month

Programs

Kids
Beginners
Women's
Self-Defense

Schedule

No schedule data available yet.

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Instructors

Instructor details haven't been added yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Underground Self-Defense cost?+

Monthly membership at Underground Self-Defense ranges $139 per month. Drop-in classes are $25.

Does Underground Self-Defense have a kids BJJ program?+

Yes, Underground Self-Defense offers a dedicated program for children.

Does Underground Self-Defense accept drop-ins?+

Yes, Underground Self-Defense accepts drop-ins for $25 per class. Contact the gym to confirm availability.