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Self-Defense Classes and Safety Workshops in Illinois

71 of the 1,220 martial arts schools we track in Illinois have self-defense training. Full listings for every city are on the Illinois page.

71schools
51cities
1,220schools statewide

This section lists martial arts studios offering dedicated self-defense instruction for adults and specialized women's safety courses. Programs range from single-day weekend workshops covering practical escape tactics to ongoing weekly classes focused on situational awareness and physical response. Before booking, confirm whether the curriculum focuses on scenario-based real-world defense or standard sport martial arts techniques.

Chicago 12

  1. Baker's Dojo of Karate

    356 E 109th St, Chicago, IL 60628

    Kids classesKarate / taekwondoMMA
    Call Website All Chicago

  2. Bender Martial Arts and Fitness

    5547 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL 60640-1125

    Kids classesFree trial classBJJ / grapplingMuay thai / kickboxing
    Call Website All Chicago

  3. Bravo Martial Arts

    2201 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60608-4507

    Free trial classMuay thai / kickboxingMMA
    Call Website All Chicago

  4. Chicago Fut Sao Wing Chun Association

    3716 N Cicero Ave, Chicago, IL 60641

    Call Website All Chicago

  5. Chicago Midway Inc

    4433 S Springfield Ave, Chicago, IL 60632-4051

    Call Website All Chicago

  6. Chinese Gong Fu Institute

    4614 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60625-2023

    Call Website All Chicago

  7. Krav Maga Illinois

    5201 N Oketo Ave, Chicago, IL 60656-1758

    Call Website All Chicago

  8. Pure Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

    6019 N Northwest Hwy, Chicago, IL 60631-2519

    BJJ / grappling
    Call Website All Chicago

  9. Stronghold Jiu-Jitsu Academy

    4120 N Nashville Ave, Chicago, IL 60634

    BJJ / grappling
    Call Website All Chicago

  10. Victory MMA Midway Gyms Chicago-Midway

    5101 S Keeler Ave, Chicago, IL 60632-4205

    10:00 pm tuesday 4:00 – 10:00 pm

    Kids classesFree trial classMuay thai / kickboxingKarate / taekwondoMMA
    Call Website All Chicago

  11. Ving Tsun Self Defense Academy

    729 W 18th St, Chicago, IL 60616-1021

    Karate / taekwondo
    Call Website All Chicago

  12. Warrior Institute of Chicago

    1841 W 95th St, Chicago, IL 60643-1103

    Kids classesKarate / taekwondo
    Call Website All Chicago

Gurnee 3

  1. Bushido Kyokai

    6021 Washington St, Gurnee, IL 60031

    sat, 01 aug 2026 02:59

    Call Website All Gurnee

  2. Gruber's Karate

    5725 Stearns School Rd, Gurnee, IL 60031

    Free trial classKarate / taekwondoMMA
    Call Website All Gurnee

  3. Ryu Shu Kan Karate

    6265 Murifield Dr, Gurnee, IL 60031-5361

    tuesdays at 7:30

    Kids classesBJJ / grapplingKarate / taekwondo
    Call Website All Gurnee

Naperville 3

  1. Banzenkan Aiki Ninjutsu

    1811 High Grove Ln, Naperville, IL 60540-3932

    Kids classesKarate / taekwondo
    Call Website All Naperville

  2. Escape and Survive

    1811 High Grove Ln, Naperville, IL 60540-3932

    Mon 6pm-9pm, Tue-Thu 5pm-9pm, Sat 10am-1:15pm

    Kids classes
    Call Website All Naperville

  3. National Karate & Martial Arts Naperville

    1795 S Washington St, Naperville, IL 60565-2058

    Kids classesMuay thai / kickboxingKarate / taekwondo
    Call Website All Naperville

Aurora 2

  1. National Karate and Martial Arts

    1649 Montgomery Rd, Aurora, IL 60504-4362

    Muay thai / kickboxingKarate / taekwondo
    Call Website All Aurora

  2. Yong-In Aurora Martial Arts

    444 N Eola Rd, Aurora, IL 60502-5400

    9:00 am-2:30 pm, 3:30 pm-9:00 pm

    Kids classesFree trial classKarate / taekwondo
    Call Website All Aurora

Fairview Heights 2

  1. 5 Elements Fitness

    6326 Old Collinsville Rd, Fairview Heights, IL 62208-2226

    sun, 02 aug 2026 15:49

    Kids classesMuay thai / kickboxingKarate / taekwondo
    Call Website All Fairview Heights

  2. Master Lim's Martial Arts

    1899 W US Highway 50, Fairview Heights, IL 62269-1647

    Kids classesKarate / taekwondo
    Call Website All Fairview Heights

Moline 2

  1. Morrow's Academy-Martial Arts

    1321 1/2 5th Ave, Moline, IL 61265

    Kids classesBJJ / grapplingKarate / taekwondo
    Call Website All Moline

  2. Tarpein's Dojo

    2004 16th St, Moline, IL 61265-3969

    BJJ / grapplingMuay thai / kickboxingKarate / taekwondo
    Call Website All Moline

Roselle 2

  1. National Karate & Martial Arts

    801 E Nerge Rd, Roselle, IL 60172-4817

    Kids classesMuay thai / kickboxingKarate / taekwondo
    Call Website All Roselle

  2. National Karate & Martial Arts - Bloomingdale

    660 Lake St, Roselle, IL 60172-3548

    Kids classesMuay thai / kickboxingKarate / taekwondo
    Call Website All Roselle

Springfield 2

  1. Shudo Kan Karate Club

    1453 N Bradfordton Rd, Springfield, IL 62711

    Tuesdays and Thursdays are between 5:30

    Muay thai / kickboxingKarate / taekwondo
    Call Website All Springfield

  2. Springfield Karate and Fitness

    761 S Durkin Dr, Springfield, IL 62704-1311

    Monday & Wednesday 6 pm-6:45 pm

    Kids classesBJJ / grapplingMuay thai / kickboxingKarate / taekwondoMMA
    Call Website All Springfield

Addison 1

  1. White Tiger Fitness Center

    823 S Rohlwing Rd, Addison, IL 60101-4220

    6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

    Kids classesKarate / taekwondo
    Call Website All Addison

Barrington 1

  1. Barrington Tiger Academy

    762 W Northwest Hwy, Barrington, IL 60010-2640

    Kids classesFree trial classBJJ / grapplingMuay thai / kickboxingKarate / taekwondoMMA
    Call Website All Barrington

Bartlett 1

  1. National Karate & Martial Arts

    385 S Prospect Ave, Bartlett, IL 60103-4303

    Muay thai / kickboxingKarate / taekwondo
    Call Website All Bartlett

Benton 1

  1. iQ Jiu-Jitsu

    110 E Main St, Benton, IL 62812-2101

    10-11am, 5pm-9pm

    BJJ / grappling
    Call Website All Benton

Bolingbrook 1

  1. Sundo Martial Arts

    1343 Lily Cache Ln, Bolingbrook, IL 60490-4600

    Kids classesKarate / taekwondo
    Call Website All Bolingbrook

Buffalo Grove 1

  1. Brazilian Black Belt Jiu Jitsu Academy

    790 S Buffalo Grove Rd, Buffalo Grove, IL 60089-3708

    Kids classesFree trial classBJJ / grapplingKarate / taekwondo
    Call All Buffalo Grove

Carol Stream 1

  1. ROMA Tang Soo Do

    330 W Army Trail Rd, Carol Stream, IL 60188-9367

    12:00 pm-2:00 pm

    Kids classesKarate / taekwondo
    Call Website All Carol Stream

Charleston 1

  1. True Force Martial Arts

    606 Jackson Ave, Charleston, IL 61920-2032

    Kids classesMuay thai / kickboxingKarate / taekwondo
    Call Website All Charleston

Cherry Valley 1

  1. Krav Maga Rockford

    125 E State St, Cherry Valley, IL 61016-7707

    Call Website

Collinsville 1

  1. Metro Krav Maga & Kickboxing

    123 W Main St, Collinsville, IL 62234-3001

    Kids classesMuay thai / kickboxing
    Call Website All Collinsville

Des Plaines 1

  1. Threshold Martial Arts

    1415 Ellinwood Ave Ste 3, Des Plaines, IL 60016

    Kids classesBJJ / grapplingMuay thai / kickboxing
    Call Website All Des Plaines

Dixon 1

  1. Dixon School of Tae Kwon DO

    113 E 1st St, Dixon, IL 61021-0310

    Kids classesFree trial classKarate / taekwondo
    Call Website All Dixon

Downers Grove 1

  1. Blackhorse Jiu-Jitsu

    2750 Maple Ave, Downers Grove, IL 60515-4201

    Kids classesFree trial classBJJ / grappling
    Call Website All Downers Grove

Flossmoor 1

  1. Power Source Martial Arts

    3309 Vollmer Rd, Flossmoor, IL 60422-2003

    Kids classesFree trial classBJJ / grapplingMuay thai / kickboxingKarate / taekwondoMMA
    Call Website All Flossmoor

Forest Park 1

  1. Victory Martial Arts

    1401 Circle Ave, Forest Park, IL 60130, Forest Park, IL 60130

    monday 9:00

    Kids classesFree trial classBJJ / grapplingMuay thai / kickboxingKarate / taekwondoMMA
    Call Website All Forest Park

Glen Ellyn 1

  1. KDC Martial Arts

    22w535 Butterfield Rd unit 11, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137

    Kids classesKarate / taekwondoMMA
    Call Website All Glen Ellyn

Highland 1

  1. Fathom Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

    919 Washington St, Highland, IL 62249-1644

    Kids classesFree trial classBJJ / grapplingMuay thai / kickboxingKarate / taekwondo
    Call Website All Highland

Highland Park 1

  1. Temple of Kung Fu

    187 Skokie Valley Rd, Highland Park, IL 60035-4403

    mon-thu: 4:30

    Free trial classMuay thai / kickboxingKarate / taekwondo
    Call Website All Highland Park

Indian Head Park 1

  1. Progression Jiu Jitsu

    6931 Joliet Rd, Indian Head Park, IL 60525-4370

    Kids classesFree trial classBJJ / grapplingKarate / taekwondo
    Call Website

La Grange 1

  1. Victory Martial Arts Countryside

    6475 Joliet Rd, La Grange, IL 60525-4200

    Kids classesFree trial classBJJ / grapplingMuay thai / kickboxingKarate / taekwondoMMA
    Call Website All La Grange

Lake Barrington 1

  1. Akf Tiger Martial Arts

    28686 W Northwest Hwy, Lake Barrington, IL 60010-5942

    Kids classesFree trial classBJJ / grapplingMuay thai / kickboxingKarate / taekwondoMMA
    Call Website All Lake Barrington

Lake in the Hills 1

  1. FIRE: Women’s Self-Defense

    9342 Virginia Rd, Lake in the Hills, IL 60156

    Call Website All Lake in the Hills

Libertyville 1

  1. Northshore Academy of Martial Arts

    281 Peterson Rd, Libertyville, IL 60048-1005

    Kids classesBJJ / grapplingMuay thai / kickboxingKarate / taekwondo
    Call Website All Libertyville

Lincolnwood 1

  1. Ultimate Martial Arts

    3922 W Touhy Ave, Lincolnwood, IL 60712-1028

    Kids classesKarate / taekwondo
    Call Website All Lincolnwood

Machesney Park 1

  1. Northern Illinois Combat Club and Fitness

    7007 N 2nd St, Machesney Park, IL 61115-3700

    Kids classesBJJ / grapplingMuay thai / kickboxingMMA
    Call Website All Machesney Park

Macomb 1

  1. Royce Gracie Academy of Macomb- Jiu Jitsu and Self Defense

    1601 W Jackson St, Macomb, IL 61455

    Kids classesBJJ / grapplingMuay thai / kickboxing
    Call Website All Macomb

Mt Prospect 1

  1. Threshold Martial Arts

    512 W Northwest Hwy, Mt Prospect, IL 60056-2315

    Kids classesBJJ / grapplingMuay thai / kickboxing
    Call Website All Mt Prospect

Mundelein 1

  1. Great Lakes Aikido

    Mundelein, IL

    BJJ / grapplingMuay thai / kickboxingKarate / taekwondo
    Call Website All Mundelein

New Lenox 1

  1. Jbma Training Grounds

    12510 W Harvey Dr, New Lenox, IL 60451-3275

    Kids classesFree trial classBJJ / grapplingMuay thai / kickboxingKarate / taekwondo
    Call Website All New Lenox

Oak Park 1

  1. Master S.H. Yu Martial Arts

    6701 W North Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302-1006

    Kids classesFree trial classKarate / taekwondo
    Call Website All Oak Park

Palos Heights 1

  1. Shukri's Taekwondo

    11751 SW Hwy, Palos Heights, IL 60463

    Karate / taekwondo
    Call Website All Palos Heights

Plainfield 1

  1. Krav Elite

    16200 S Lincoln Hwy, Plainfield, IL 60586-5153

    Kids classesBJJ / grapplingMuay thai / kickboxingKarate / taekwondo
    Call Website All Plainfield

Quincy 1

  1. Legacy Martial Arts

    422 N 24th St, Quincy, IL 62301-3254

    Kids classesKarate / taekwondo
    Call Website All Quincy

Robinson 1

  1. American Aikido Institute

    11328 N 800th St, Robinson, IL 62454

    monday & wednesday 6:00-7:30 pm

    Kids classesKarate / taekwondo
    Call Website All Robinson

Rockford 1

  1. Rockford Academy Of Tae-Kwon-Do

    3628 E State St, Rockford, IL 61108-1916

    Kids classesKarate / taekwondo
    Call Website All Rockford

Schaumburg 1

  1. Bushido Kyokai

    140 S Roselle Rd, Schaumburg, IL 60193-5531

    Call Website All Schaumburg

South Elgin 1

  1. National Karate and Martial Arts

    1272 W Spring St, South Elgin, IL 60177-3304

    Mon, 12 Jan 2026 02:36:47 +0000

    Muay thai / kickboxingKarate / taekwondo
    Call Website All South Elgin

Sugar Grove 1

  1. Rocky's Dojo and Gym

    46 E Terry Dr, Sugar Grove, IL 60554-5496

    Muay thai / kickboxingKarate / taekwondo
    Call Website

Volo 1

  1. Stay Safe Martial Arts

    26705 W Commerce Dr, Volo, IL 60073-9675

    BJJ / grapplingMuay thai / kickboxingKarate / taekwondo
    Call Website

Wauconda 1

  1. Gangi Martial Arts & Fitness

    415 W Liberty St, Wauconda, IL 60084-2452

    Wednesday, Friday & Saturday: 12:00-1:00PM

    BJJ / grapplingMuay thai / kickboxingKarate / taekwondo
    Call Website All Wauconda

Westchester 1

  1. Powell's Way of Kenpo

    1921 S Mannheim Rd, Westchester, IL 60154-4322

    Free trial classBJJ / grapplingKarate / taekwondo
    Call Website

Wood Dale 1

  1. Martial Arts USA - IL

    360 Georgetown Sq, Wood Dale, IL 60191-1832

    Mon - Fri: 2:00 PM - 9:00 PM

    Kids classesFree trial classKarate / taekwondo
    Call Website All Wood Dale

Woodstock 1

  1. Hart Jiu Jitsu

    1108 N Seminary Ave, Woodstock, IL 60098-2959

    Fri, 17 Jul 2026 05:39:43 +0000

    Kids classesFree trial classBJJ / grapplingMuay thai / kickboxingMMA
    Call Website All Woodstock
Check age and gender restrictions before registering, as many specialized women's or teen self-defense seminars have strict attendance requirements.

Also in Illinois

Good to know

How much do self-defense classes usually cost?

Single-day workshops typically cost between $25 and $75 per participant for a 2-to-4-hour session. Ongoing monthly membership programs range from $100 to $180 per month, often including access to regular martial arts classes.

Do I need prior martial arts experience to join?

No, beginner self-defense courses require zero prior martial arts or combat experience. Instructors teach simple, high-leverage movements and situational awareness concepts designed for people of all fitness levels.

What should I wear to my first self-defense class?

Wear flexible athletic clothing such as a t-shirt, athletic pants or leggings, and clean sneakers. Remove all jewelry, watches, and hair accessories with sharp edges before training to prevent injury during practical drills.

How to lose body fat percentage?

Reducing body fat percentage involves maintaining a moderate energy deficit while engaging in strength training and high-calorie combat sports. Regular practice in disciplines like MMA or Muay Thai builds lean tissue while driving down overall body fat. Users in Illinois can browse 71 verified martial arts academies offering structured weight management programs.

How to drain fluid from ear?

Draining fluid from an ear—often caused by trauma such as cauliflower ear in grappling—requires sterile medical aspiration using a syringe followed by a compression wrap. Performing this procedure at home without medical expertise carries a severe risk of infection and permanent cartilage deformity. Practicing martial artists in Illinois should consult qualified medical professionals or ask coaches at one of the 71 listed local academies for proper sports health protocols.