All statesSelf-Defense Classes and Safety WorkshopsVirginia

Self-Defense Classes and Safety Workshops in Virginia

56 of the 910 martial arts schools we track in Virginia have self-defense training. Full listings for every city are on the Virginia page.

56schools
40cities
910schools 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.

Richmond 5

  1. Bushin Martial Arts Academy

    6024 Brook Rd, Richmond, VA 23227-2279

    Kids classesFree trial classBJJ / grapplingMuay thai / kickboxingKarate / taekwondo
  2. Martial Arts World

    10410 Midlothian Tpke, Richmond, VA 23235-4400

    Kids classesKarate / taekwondo
  3. Moy Tung Athletic Association

    406 E Main St, Richmond, VA 23219

    Kids classesKarate / taekwondo
  4. Revolution BJJ

    2125 Staples Mill Rd, Richmond, VA 23230-2905

    Kids classesBJJ / grapplingMuay thai / kickboxing
  5. WIN Martial Arts

    10090 Midlothian Turnpike, Richmond, VA 23235

    Tuesdays - Thursdays 5:30

    Kids classesMuay thai / kickboxing

Ashburn 3

  1. Apex Jiu Jitsu and MMA: Ashburn

    44921 George Washington Blvd, Ashburn, VA 20147-6315

    Kids classesFree trial classBJJ / grapplingMuay thai / kickboxingMMA
  2. Kore Self Defense

    Suite 140, Ashburn, VA 20147-6364

    Kids classes
  3. Sterner's Tae Kwon DO

    20630 Ashburn Rd, Ashburn, VA 20147-5625

    Karate / taekwondo

Alexandria 2

  1. One Way Martial Arts Alexandria

    5416 Eisenhower Ave, Alexandria, VA 22304

    Kids classesFree trial classBJJ / grapplingMuay thai / kickboxingMMA
  2. Street Smart Self Defense & Fitness Training

    4105 Duke St, Alexandria, VA 22304-2419

    Kids classes

Charlottesville 2

  1. Charlottesville Shotokan Karate Club

    1000 Belmont Ave, Charlottesville, VA 22902

    Kids classesKarate / taekwondo
  2. UpLevel Family Martial Arts

    460 29th Place Ct, Charlottesville, VA 22901

    Kids classesKarate / taekwondo

Chesapeake 2

  1. King Tiger Martial Arts

    1457 Mt Pleasant Rd, Chesapeake, VA 23322-3919

    Kids classesMuay thai / kickboxingKarate / taekwondo
  2. Master Hill's Red Dragon Martial Arts

    4200 Portsmouth Blvd, Chesapeake, VA 23321

    mon-sat 11:00am - 8:00pm

    Kids classesFree trial classKarate / taekwondo

Christiansburg 2

  1. Brazilian Jiu-jitsu

    215 County Rd, Christiansburg, VA 24073-4021

    Kids classesBJJ / grapplingMuay thai / kickboxingKarate / taekwondoMMA
  2. Tech MMA & Fitness Academy

    215 County Rd, Christiansburg, VA 24073-4021

    Kids classesBJJ / grapplingMuay thai / kickboxingKarate / taekwondoMMA

Henrico 2

  1. Martial Arts World

    7157 Staples Mill Rd, Henrico, VA 23228-4104

    Kids classes
  2. Martial Arts World Henrico

    4748 Finlay St, Henrico, VA 23231-2754

    Kids classes

Leesburg 2

  1. IronHide Academy

    34 Catoctin Cir SE, Leesburg, VA 20175-3633

    Kids classesFree trial classBJJ / grapplingMuay thai / kickboxingKarate / taekwondoMMA
  2. Kim's Taekwondo & After school leesburg

    525 E Market St, Leesburg, VA 20176-4121

    Kids classesKarate / taekwondo

Manassas 2

  1. American Drengr Krav Maga

    10079 Market Cir, Manassas, VA 20110-2120

    Kids classesKarate / taekwondo
  2. Self Defense America of Northern Virginia

    9705 Liberia Ave, Manassas, VA 20110

    Karate / taekwondo

Vienna 2

  1. Mountain Kim Martial Arts

    210 Dominion Rd NE, Vienna, VA 22180-4519

  2. Tysons Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Haganah

    8453 Tyco Rd, Vienna, VA 22182-2209

    BJJ / grappling

Virginia Beach 2

  1. Go2KravMaga

    4322 Holland Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23452-1102

    Karate / taekwondo
  2. Katalyst Krav Maga

    349 Southport Cir, Virginia Beach, VA 23452-1161

    Mon 4:30pm-8pm, Tue 4:30pm-8pm, Wed 4:30pm-8pm, Thu 4:30pm-8pm

    Kids classesBJJ / grapplingMuay thai / kickboxing

Yorktown 2

  1. Six Blades Jiu-Jitsu Yorktown

    104 Production Dr, Yorktown, VA 23693

    Kids classesBJJ / grapplingMuay thai / kickboxing
  2. World Martial Arts

    2115 George Washington Mem Hwy, Yorktown, VA 23693-4224

    Monday-Thursday: 1pm - 8:15pm

    Kids classesFree trial classKarate / taekwondo

Barboursville 1

  1. Aldridge Karate Institute Inc

    490 Albano Rd, Barboursville, VA 22923

    BJJ / grapplingKarate / taekwondo

Bealeton 1

  1. Karate Sports Academy

    11084 Marsh Rd Ste C, Bealeton, VA 22712

    Muay thai / kickboxingKarate / taekwondoMMA

Burke 1

  1. Virginia Okinawan Karate

    10125 Lakehaven Ct, Burke, VA 22015

    Free trial classKarate / taekwondo

Centreville 1

  1. Mt. Kim Martial Arts / B4 & After School

    5669 Stone Rd, Centreville, VA 20120-1618

    monday 11:30 am - 08:30 pm

    Kids classesFree trial classKarate / taekwondo

Chantilly 1

  1. Virginia Martial Arts Academy

    4425 Brookfield Corporate Dr, Chantilly, VA 20151-4001

    mondays 4:30-5:30pm

    Kids classesFree trial classKarate / taekwondo

Chester 1

  1. Martial Arts World Chester

    11804 Perdue Springs Ct, Chester, VA 23831

    Kids classes

Colonial Heights 1

  1. Planet Elite Martial Arts

    408 Boulevard, Colonial Heights, VA 23834-3714

    Mon 6:30am-8pm, Tue 6:30am-8pm, Wed 6:30am-8pm, Thu 6:30am-8pm, Fri 6:30am-8pm

    Kids classesKarate / taekwondo

Fairfax 1

  1. Relentless MMA & Fitness

    Fairfax, VA

    Kids classesBJJ / grapplingMuay thai / kickboxingMMA

Forest 1

  1. Blue Ridge Self Defense

    14805 Forest Rd, Forest, VA 24551-3997

    Kids classesKarate / taekwondo

Fredericksburg 1

  1. Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Fredericksburg

    4991 Quality Dr, Fredericksburg, VA 22408-2462

    BJJ / grappling

Gainesville 1

  1. Underground Krav Maga and Fitness

    13525 Wellington Center Cir, Gainesville, VA 20155

    Kids classesBJJ / grapplingMuay thai / kickboxing

Hampton 1

  1. Virginia Academy of Judo

    1343 N King St, Hampton, VA 23669-2153

    Kids classesBJJ / grapplingKarate / taekwondo

Harrisonburg 1

  1. Middle Ground Martial Arts

    785 Acorn Dr, Harrisonburg, VA 22802-2559

    Kids classesMuay thai / kickboxingKarate / taekwondoMMA

Herndon 1

  1. Sterner's Tae Kwon Do Academy

    396 Elden St, Herndon, VA 20170-4818

    Kids classesKarate / taekwondo

Lorton 1

  1. Krav Maga Northern Virginia

    8253 Backlick Rd, Lorton, VA 22079-1447

Marion 1

  1. Iron Mountain Martial Arts

    Marion, VA

    Kids classesKarate / taekwondo

McLean 1

  1. Mountain Kim Martial Arts

    6661 Old Dominion Dr, McLean, VA 22101-4505

    Kids classesFree trial classKarate / taekwondo

Mechanicsville 1

  1. Richmond Traditional Martial Arts

    9140 Dickey Dr, Mechanicsville, VA 23116-2502

    Kids classesMuay thai / kickboxingKarate / taekwondoMMA

Midlothian 1

  1. Martial Arts World

    13910 Hull St Rd, Midlothian, VA 23112-2004

    Kids classes

Norfolk 1

  1. Norfolk Karate Academy

    814 45th St, Norfolk, VA 23508-2169

    Karate / taekwondo

Oakton 1

  1. Mountain Kim Martial Arts

    2952 Chain Bridge Rd, Oakton, VA 22124-3024

    Kids classesFree trial classKarate / taekwondo

Port Royal 1

  1. American Martial Arts Gym

    25656 A P Hill Blvd, Port Royal, VA 22535-2021

    Kids classesBJJ / grapplingMuay thai / kickboxingMMA

Portsmouth 1

  1. Generation Jiu-Jitsu

    5615 High St W, Portsmouth, VA 23703-3758

    Kids classesBJJ / grappling

Purcellville 1

  1. Justin Lough Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

    37251 E Richardson Ln, Purcellville, VA 20132-3505

    Monday-Friday 9am - 9pm Saturday 10am-11:30

    Kids classesFree trial classBJJ / grappling

Stafford 1

  1. Empower Martial Arts Academy

    364 Garrisonville Road, Stafford, VA 22554-4507

    Kids classesFree trial class

Vinton 1

  1. Optimum Martial Arts

    120 N Pollard St, Vinton, VA 24179-2417

    BJJ / grapplingMuay thai / kickboxing

Warrenton 1

  1. Karate Sports Academy

    144 Broadview Ave, Warrenton, VA 20186-2301

    Muay thai / kickboxingKarate / taekwondoMMA

Williamsburg 1

  1. Krav Maga Hampton Roads

    4498 John Tyler Hwy, Williamsburg, VA 23185-2448

    Kids classesFree trial classBJJ / grappling
Check age and gender restrictions before registering, as many specialized women's or teen self-defense seminars have strict attendance requirements.

Also in Virginia

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 Virginia can browse 56 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 Virginia should consult qualified medical professionals or ask coaches at one of the 56 listed local academies for proper sports health protocols.