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.
Columbia 3
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Wilde Lake Karate and Learning Center
10451 Twin Rivers Rd, Columbia, MD 21044-2332
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Israeli Krav Maga
9309 Snowden River Pkwy, Columbia, MD 21046-1542
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Krav Maga Maryland
8895 McGaw Rd, Columbia, MD 21045-4746
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Noel Smith Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
7478 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd, Glen Burnie, MD 21061-3542
Monday 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM, Saturday 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, Sunday Closed
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Noel Smith Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
902 Crain Highway N, Glen Burnie, MD 21061
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Filipino Kali Academy
300 Crain Hwy S, Glen Burnie, MD 21061-3643
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Bjj Conquest
412 Headquarters Dr Ste 1, Millersville, MD 21108
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Conquest Mixed Martial Arts & Fitness
412 Headquarters Dr, Millersville, MD 21108-2551
Mon-Thu 5am-8:30pm, Fri 5am-7pm, Sat 8am-12:30pm, Sun 9am-1pm
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Conquest Brazilian Jiu Jitsu MMA & Fitness
311 Serendipity Dr, Millersville, MD 21108-1964
Sun 9am-1pm, Mon 5am-8:30pm, Tue 5am-8:30pm, Wed 5am-8:30pm, Thu 5am-8:30pm, Fri 5am-7pm, Sat 8am-12:30pm
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Charm City Mixed Martial Arts
3735 Gough St, Baltimore, MD 21224-2538
Mon–Fri 10am–10pm
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Kanjizai Academy of Jiu-Jitsu
5710 Bellona Ave, Baltimore, MD 21212-3500
Bethesda 2
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Polander Academy of Martial Arts
5017 Wilson Ln, Bethesda, MD 20814
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Krav Maga CDK Self Defense Training Center
4825 Bethesda Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814-5245
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Rising Tide MoCo
5408 Randolph Rd Second Floor, Rockville, MD 20852
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Native Jiu Jitsu
12081 Nebel St, Rockville, MD 20852-2609
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Kogen Dojo Self Defense Academy
549 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd, Severna Park, MD 21146-3809
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Arundel Aikikai Aikido Martial Arts School
623 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd, Severna Park, MD 21146
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The Compound
12210 Plum Orchard Dr, Silver Spring, MD 20904-7911
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Somos Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
1343 Lamberton Dr, Silver Spring, MD 20902
Waldorf 2
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American Martial Arts Gym
11805 Pika Dr, Waldorf, MD 20602-3732
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Waldorf Martial Arts
Old Washington Road, Waldorf, MD 20601-3176
Abingdon 1
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Empire Dojo
3101 Emmorton Rd, Abingdon, MD 21009-2090
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Kogen Dojo Self Defense Academy
1912 Forest Dr, Annapolis, MD 21401-4353
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Berwyn Heights Brazilian Jiu
6106 Quebec Pl, Berwyn Heights, MD 20740-2742
Boyds 1
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Zen Karate Academy
14704 Bubbling Spring Rd, Boyds, MD 20841-5301
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Lineage BJJ
44723 St Andrews Church Rd, California, MD 20619
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Krav Maga CDK
5454 Wisconsin Ave, Chevy Chase Village, MD 20815
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US Martial Arts Academy
10540 York Rd, Cockeysville, MD 21030-2300
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Berwyn Heights Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
7100 Baltimore Ave, College Park, MD 20740-3627
Crofton 1
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Conquest Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
2411 Crofton Ln, Crofton, MD 21114-1304
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Hyattsville Brazilian Jiu Jitsu | GF Team DC Hyattsville
4616 Ingraham St, Edmonston, MD 20781-2314
Elkridge 1
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MKC Karate
7600 Hearthside Way, Elkridge, MD 21075-7364
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Evolve Academy
18753 N Frederick Ave, Gaithersburg, MD 20879
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Krav Oz
20300 Seneca Meadows Pkwy, Germantown, MD 20876-7001
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Martial Arts Academy
10835 Lanham Severn Rd, Glenn Dale, MD 20769-9548
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Tiger-Rock Martial Arts
12814 Shank Farm Ln, Hagerstown, MD 21742-2948
La Plata 1
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Southern Maryland Martial Arts & Fitness
140 Drury Dr, La Plata, MD 20646-4241
Mt Airy 1
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Tristar Martial Arts
202 Center St, Mt Airy, MD 21771-5444
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Five Star Tae Kwon Do
7009 Varnum St, New Carrollton, MD 20784
Odenton 1
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Xtreme Mpact
1202 Annapolis Rd, Odenton, MD 21113
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Stanley Combatives
11400 Cronridge Dr, Owings Mills, MD 21117-2227
Pasadena 1
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Golden Dragon Defense
8894 Fort Smallwood Rd, Pasadena, MD 21122-7608
Phoenix 1
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Quest Martial Arts
3459 Sweet Air Rd, Phoenix, MD 21131-1825
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American Kenpo Karate Studio
220 Business Center Dr, Reisterstown, MD 21136-1230
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Conquest Mixed Martial Arts & Fitness
8579 Fort Smallwood Rd, Riviera Beach, MD 21122
Mon-Thu 5am-8:30pm, Fri 5am-7pm, Sat 8am-12:30pm, Sun 9am-1pm
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Calvert MMA Academy - Lineage BJJ / Gracie Jiu-Jitsu
25 Dalrymple Rd, Sunderland, MD 20689
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Maryland Systema
7117 Maple Ave 3, Takoma Park, MD 20912
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Johnson Martial Arts & Fitness Center
601 Commerce Dr, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774-8782
2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday
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Victory Taekwondo Academy
400 N Center St, Westminster, MD 21157-0001
Also in Maryland
- Traditional Martial Arts Schools286
- Kids Martial Arts Classes268
- Boxing Gyms186
- Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Schools155
- MMA Gyms99
- Karate Classes for Children and Adults29
- Tai Chi and Qigong Classes for Seniors and Adults26
- Kickboxing Classes for Beginners and Adults22
- Martial Arts Schools with Fat Loss Programs16
- Filipino & Historical European Martial Arts Schools14
- Family Martial Arts Classes and Academies11
- Historical European & Filipino Martial Arts Classes8
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 Maryland can browse 49 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 Maryland should consult qualified medical professionals or ask coaches at one of the 49 listed local academies for proper sports health protocols.