For most martial arts school profiles the best primary category is Martial arts school — use it when: general martial arts. Choose Karate school instead if karate. Choose Boxing gym instead if boxing. Fitness categories should describe the venue and the main class format. A gym that runs a few yoga classes is still a gym; a yoga studio with a weights corner is still a yoga studio.
Open the free tool for a martial arts school → tick what you really offer and get a copy-ready setup sheet
Primary category
- Martial arts school — General martial arts
- Karate school — Karate
- Boxing gym — Boxing who else uses it
Secondary (additional) categories
Add one only if the condition is genuinely true at this location. Fewer, accurate categories beat a full list of nine.
- Self defense school — only if: self-defence classes
- Kickboxing school — only if: kickboxing
Categories to avoid
These are often added to martial arts school profiles but usually describe a different or broader business:
- Gym (unless open gym)
- Sporting goods store
Address or service area?
Usually a storefront: show the full address exactly as it appears on your signage, and keep it identical on Google, Apple Business Connect, Bing Places and your website. Service-area vs storefront rules.
Starter services to add
Categories say what you are; services say what you do. Good first entries:
- Kids' martial arts
- Adult classes
- Free trial class
Check before you change anything
Search “martial arts” on Google Maps in your own area, open the top few profiles and note their primary category (shown under the business name). Use what's common as a sanity check, not a template — your categories must describe your business. Ready to switch? How to change your category safely.
Profile problems?
Suspended, stuck in verification, or not showing on Maps? See the free fix guides: suspended profile · verification failed · not on Maps · name rules.