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
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Bushin Martial Arts Academy
6024 Brook Rd, Richmond, VA 23227-2279
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Martial Arts World
10410 Midlothian Tpke, Richmond, VA 23235-4400
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Moy Tung Athletic Association
406 E Main St, Richmond, VA 23219
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Revolution BJJ
2125 Staples Mill Rd, Richmond, VA 23230-2905
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WIN Martial Arts
10090 Midlothian Turnpike, Richmond, VA 23235
Tuesdays - Thursdays 5:30
Ashburn 3
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Apex Jiu Jitsu and MMA: Ashburn
44921 George Washington Blvd, Ashburn, VA 20147-6315
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Kore Self Defense
Suite 140, Ashburn, VA 20147-6364
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Sterner's Tae Kwon DO
20630 Ashburn Rd, Ashburn, VA 20147-5625
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One Way Martial Arts Alexandria
5416 Eisenhower Ave, Alexandria, VA 22304
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Street Smart Self Defense & Fitness Training
4105 Duke St, Alexandria, VA 22304-2419
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Charlottesville Shotokan Karate Club
1000 Belmont Ave, Charlottesville, VA 22902
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UpLevel Family Martial Arts
460 29th Place Ct, Charlottesville, VA 22901
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King Tiger Martial Arts
1457 Mt Pleasant Rd, Chesapeake, VA 23322-3919
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Master Hill's Red Dragon Martial Arts
4200 Portsmouth Blvd, Chesapeake, VA 23321
mon-sat 11:00am - 8:00pm
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Brazilian Jiu-jitsu
215 County Rd, Christiansburg, VA 24073-4021
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Tech MMA & Fitness Academy
215 County Rd, Christiansburg, VA 24073-4021
Henrico 2
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Martial Arts World
7157 Staples Mill Rd, Henrico, VA 23228-4104
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Martial Arts World Henrico
4748 Finlay St, Henrico, VA 23231-2754
Leesburg 2
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IronHide Academy
34 Catoctin Cir SE, Leesburg, VA 20175-3633
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Kim's Taekwondo & After school leesburg
525 E Market St, Leesburg, VA 20176-4121
Manassas 2
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American Drengr Krav Maga
10079 Market Cir, Manassas, VA 20110-2120
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Self Defense America of Northern Virginia
9705 Liberia Ave, Manassas, VA 20110
Vienna 2
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Mountain Kim Martial Arts
210 Dominion Rd NE, Vienna, VA 22180-4519
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Tysons Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Haganah
8453 Tyco Rd, Vienna, VA 22182-2209
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Go2KravMaga
4322 Holland Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23452-1102
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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
Yorktown 2
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Six Blades Jiu-Jitsu Yorktown
104 Production Dr, Yorktown, VA 23693
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World Martial Arts
2115 George Washington Mem Hwy, Yorktown, VA 23693-4224
Monday-Thursday: 1pm - 8:15pm
Barboursville 1
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Aldridge Karate Institute Inc
490 Albano Rd, Barboursville, VA 22923
Bealeton 1
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Karate Sports Academy
11084 Marsh Rd Ste C, Bealeton, VA 22712
Burke 1
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Virginia Okinawan Karate
10125 Lakehaven Ct, Burke, VA 22015
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Mt. Kim Martial Arts / B4 & After School
5669 Stone Rd, Centreville, VA 20120-1618
monday 11:30 am - 08:30 pm
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Virginia Martial Arts Academy
4425 Brookfield Corporate Dr, Chantilly, VA 20151-4001
mondays 4:30-5:30pm
Chester 1
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Martial Arts World Chester
11804 Perdue Springs Ct, Chester, VA 23831
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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
Fairfax 1
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Relentless MMA & Fitness
Fairfax, VA
Forest 1
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Blue Ridge Self Defense
14805 Forest Rd, Forest, VA 24551-3997
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Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Fredericksburg
4991 Quality Dr, Fredericksburg, VA 22408-2462
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Underground Krav Maga and Fitness
13525 Wellington Center Cir, Gainesville, VA 20155
Hampton 1
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Virginia Academy of Judo
1343 N King St, Hampton, VA 23669-2153
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Middle Ground Martial Arts
785 Acorn Dr, Harrisonburg, VA 22802-2559
Herndon 1
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Sterner's Tae Kwon Do Academy
396 Elden St, Herndon, VA 20170-4818
Lorton 1
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Krav Maga Northern Virginia
8253 Backlick Rd, Lorton, VA 22079-1447
Marion 1
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Iron Mountain Martial Arts
Marion, VA
McLean 1
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Mountain Kim Martial Arts
6661 Old Dominion Dr, McLean, VA 22101-4505
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Richmond Traditional Martial Arts
9140 Dickey Dr, Mechanicsville, VA 23116-2502
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Martial Arts World
13910 Hull St Rd, Midlothian, VA 23112-2004
Norfolk 1
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Norfolk Karate Academy
814 45th St, Norfolk, VA 23508-2169
Oakton 1
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Mountain Kim Martial Arts
2952 Chain Bridge Rd, Oakton, VA 22124-3024
Port Royal 1
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American Martial Arts Gym
25656 A P Hill Blvd, Port Royal, VA 22535-2021
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Generation Jiu-Jitsu
5615 High St W, Portsmouth, VA 23703-3758
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Justin Lough Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
37251 E Richardson Ln, Purcellville, VA 20132-3505
Monday-Friday 9am - 9pm Saturday 10am-11:30
Stafford 1
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Empower Martial Arts Academy
364 Garrisonville Road, Stafford, VA 22554-4507
Vinton 1
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Optimum Martial Arts
120 N Pollard St, Vinton, VA 24179-2417
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Karate Sports Academy
144 Broadview Ave, Warrenton, VA 20186-2301
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Krav Maga Hampton Roads
4498 John Tyler Hwy, Williamsburg, VA 23185-2448
Also in Virginia
- Traditional Martial Arts Schools452
- Kids Martial Arts Classes397
- Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Schools237
- MMA Gyms136
- Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Gi Training Programs127
- Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) Training Academies123
- Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) Martial Arts Schools122
- Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and BJJ Training Classes121
- Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) Classes118
- Dedicated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academies83
- Mixed Martial Arts Gyms and Training54
- Karate Classes for Children and Adults34
- Kickboxing Classes for Beginners and Adults27
- Tai Chi and Qigong Classes for Seniors and Adults26
- Family Martial Arts Classes and Academies24
- Jiu-Jitsu Fundamentals and Beginner Classes22
- Filipino & Historical European Martial Arts Schools19
- Martial Arts Schools with Fat Loss Programs17
- Historical European & Filipino Martial Arts Classes12
- Dedicated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academies and Programs8
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.