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Virginia Martial Arts Center
“The code of respect for others, and taking charge of your own destiny through self discipline, is every bit as important as the technique that is taught.”
Best Self-Defense Classes in Chesapeake, VA
24 schools listed · 8 in Chesapeake · 19 open weekends · 22 rated 4.5+
Data verified October 18, 2026
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Virginia Taekwondo & Jiu-Jitsu Academy
- Invest
- Confidence
- Belt
“In addition to self defense they are learning to be more focused and are putting more effort to master new techniques, they also like the atmosphere and meeting new friends”
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Da Firma Training Center Gracie Jiu Jitsu & Athletic Performance
“As someone who got into jui jit su in their 40s, I've been surprised at what I've been able to accomplish in a safe and professional atmosphere that professor Ricardo and his staff have created .”
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King Tiger Martial Arts
“We highly recommend King Tiger Martial Arts in Chesapeake to anyone looking for their child to build confidence and incredible skills to last a lifetime.”
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Gustavo Machado Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Chesapeake
“Our daughter couldn't wait for her dance recital to be over and her birthday, so that she was old enough to join her brother and learn Jiu Jitsu too.”
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Hampton Roads Karate/Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Chesapeake
- Learn
- Classes
“My two boy and I are in the jiu jitsu program and we really enjoy it all it has been a great experience for all and everyone there is great the kids instructors Troy and Tommy are fantastic with the kids.”
Short self-defense courses listed for Chesapeake, VA are spread across the 24 cards on this page. Who each course is aimed at, where it runs and how often it repeats comes from the school itself, with ratings drawn from public reviews.
Area overview: Chesapeake, VA
8 of the 24 schools we list are based in Chesapeake; the other 16 serve Chesapeake from towns including Virginia Beach (15 mi), Norfolk (15 mi) and Portsmouth (12 mi). 23 of the schools on this page have a rating, from 4.4 to 5.0 across 1,623 reviews; 11 have 50 or more reviews and 22 are rated 4.5 or higher. When students and parents rate these schools on specific qualities, they most often praise professionalism (94%), quality (89%) and communication (73%). The topics that come up most in reviews of the schools on this page are "skills", "confidence" and "knowledge". 19 are open on Saturdays and 2 on Sundays. 18 have ten or more years of experience, the longest 58 years. 1 offers a free trial or consultation; 3 are family- or locally-owned and 6 list coupons or special offers. We have a website on file for all 24 of the schools on this page; 19 publish a contact page; 20 list a public email and 7 take bookings online. We count these figures across the schools on this page; distances are straight-line, and hours and prices change, so confirm the details with the school before you enroll.
Which course providers listed for Chesapeake describe their courses online?
All 24 cards carry a website link. Look for a real outline, who teaches, and who the course is for. Stock photography of a woman throwing a man in a white studio is not an outline, and schools that keep their content vague are often selling the same session to every audience.
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Tidewater Jiu-Jitsu Academy
- Skill
- Train
- Competition
“The technique they teach and the manner in which they teach it are exemplary, and you really get a feel that they care about your progress and try to explain things multiple ways in case sometimes you just aren't getting it.”
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Master Hill's Red Dragon Martial Arts
- Practice
- Atmosphere
- Learning
“The instructors here offer you years of experience and make sure to help you become the best martial artist you can be not to mention the rich selection of programa available to every member of the family if you are looking for a school in western br...”
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Savior Martial Arts Virginia Beach
- Self-Discipline
- Sensei
- Life
“Their level of respect, their ability to motivate the kids, their passion/dedication to the sport as well as how personable they are make this dojo one of the best i have seen in 25 years of being around martial arts.”
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Impact Martial Arts Academy
- Weapons
- Muay Thai
- Community
“This is a family run business that caters to all age groups and all family backgrounds; it has been a great experience for our family not only with skills acquired and opportunities to improve oneself but with relationships made.”
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Kim's Hapkido Martial Arts
“A wonderful place where kids (and adults) learn not only martial arts but also life skills of things like leadership, perseverance, dedication and humility.”
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Clayton Phillips Jiu Jitsu
- Regret
- Learning
- Mat
“Professor makes sure that students are always expanding their jiu jitsu knowledge and teaches in a way that makes students comfortable and never afraid to ask questions.”
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The House of Muay Thai
- Schedule
- BJJ
- Knowledge
“I attribute my enjoyment of Muay Thai to the coaches: Octavian, Landon, Romi, Larue, Jackson, Jeremy, Shamar, and of course head coach Jake, who has instilled a positive learning environment and competitive culture in his gym.”
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Tiger Academy of Martial Arts
“This means their class days and times will change and I had four staff members approach me separately to make sure I knew that and to make certain it would not cause problems or conflicts for the family.”
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Eastern Academy of Mixed Martial Arts
- Seminars
- Train
- Artist
“I've learned a lot from Sensei Miran and thanks to him pushing me and mentoring me along the way, I've lost 13 pounds and feel like I can go places I never thought possible.”
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Virginia Beach Jiu Jitsu
- Adults
- Learning
- Vacation
“The coaches are awesome, very kind, and know how to have fun.”
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Chaos Jiu Jitsu
- Course
- Confidence
- Extra Curricular Activities
“Not only does Professor Lynn come with an extensive knowledge base, but his passion for coaching and mentoring has been a positive influence in my family's life.”
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Applied Defense Concepts
- Class
- Knowledge
- Array
“Their core concepts are training without consequences is useless and we go over very real scenarios that give me a very good level of confidence that I can make sure who ever I I'm with won't have to worry on personal safety”
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Applied Martial Arts Academy
“We visited several other martial art schools around the Virginia Beach area and this was the only school where I watched students advance NOT because they attended classes and paid for them but because they demonstrated the skills that were actually ...”
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Linxx Academy/Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Virginia Beach
- Train
- Self-Defense
“The arts taught have been proven to be tremendously effective in real life, self-defense situations, and the techniques that comprise these arts are designed to work for the average person, regardless of their athletic ability.”
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Cova Kai Karate
- Skills
- Belts
- Self-Defense
“I can't say enough about how this Karate school has helped my son find a safe place of belonging as he grows and learns self discipline, self confidence, etc.”
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Krav Maga Virginia Beach
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Cheeseman Martial Arts Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
- Check
- Self Defense
- Cardio
“I even had an incident where my car broke down due to the gas gauge being off while I was headed to his class and he literally came to where I was, purchased a tank and gas, and assisted me so that I could get to a gas station.”
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Intuitive Self Protection
- Understanding
- Team
- Train
“Not only were their teaching instructions clear, but then the applications were well taught and I ahbe left the class feeling much better prepared and aware of my surroundings!”
Self-Defense Training Services in Chesapeake, VA Cost Estimates
Minimum cost
$184
Maximum cost
$552
National Average
$282
Avg Per Hour Rates
$74
$245
$380
Typical price range is based on 444 cost profiles
Why these companies made our list
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