Miller's Martial Arts Academy
“I highly recommend the school for anyone who has a child who has expressed an interest in any form of MMA.”
Best Self-Defense Classes in Kirkland, WA
15 schools listed · 7 in Kirkland · 13 open weekends · all 15 rated 4.5+
Data verified October 16, 2026
Oom Yung Doe
“Whether you are wanting to try martial arts for the first time or you have years of training under your belt, Oom Yung Doe is a great place to continue your adventure.”
Gracie Barra Kirkland
“I've been lucky enough to train at a few different places, but Josh and Solange do such an excellent job of making a good learning environment that I happily go out of my way to train here.”
Orion Sports Club
“My 8 and 10 year old kids love the class with coach Mario.”
Jungyae Martial Arts Academy
“Master is just so great, really experienced and always teaches kids not only how to fight, but the philosophy thing.”
Master Kwon's Tiger Kicks Martial Arts
“They take the time to work with each student individually, and it often feels like personal training because of the attention and encouragement they provide.”
Short self-defense courses listed for Kirkland, WA are spread across the 15 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: Kirkland, WA
7 of the 15 schools we list are based in Kirkland; the other 8 serve Kirkland from towns including Seattle (8 mi), Bellevue (7 mi) and Mercer Island (8 mi). The schools on this page are rated from 4.7 to 5.0 across 1,181 reviews; 10 have 50 or more reviews. The topics that come up most in reviews of the schools on this page are "community", "atmosphere" and "confidence". 13 are open on Saturdays and 7 on Sundays. 2 have a BBB rating of A or A+. Domain records put 9 websites of the schools on this page at ten or more years old; the oldest dates from 1997. 1 is family- or locally-owned and 1 lists coupons or special offers. We have a website on file for all 15 of the schools on this page; 13 publish a contact page; 9 list a public email and 6 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.
Do the schools on this page travel out to Kirkland?
Many do. 7 of the 15 listed here sit in Kirkland and the others are within 10 mi, which matters less in this category because the instructor usually comes to your room. Ask about travel before you rule out a school on the address alone.
Eastside Kyokushin Karate & Self-Defense
“We know couches personally as they own BJJ club in Bothell and have a unique training style that easy for students to learn.”
Ballard Jiu Jitsu
“I have been a nomad Blue Belt for a little while and they have always made me feel like a part of the family.”
Mat Chess Mixed Martial Arts
“Definitely recommend this place and the owner, Andrew, is a great dude!”
Mercer Island Martial Arts
“Master Wells and Instructor Smyth put together amazing programs and activities for the students.”
Marcelo Alonso BJJ
“Training under the Encyclopedia of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a complete honor!”
MKG Martial Arts
“I have seen a huge boost in confidence, and have witnessed the changes it has made in ours and other children.”
Shaolin Center of Seattle
“Unlike other martial arts places, this school really emphasizes self defense and not mandatory monthly tests just to generate revenue.”
Family Black Belt Academy
“The team and instructors are world class and it truly feels like we joined a family.”
10th Planet Jiu Jitsu Seattle
“Nate is personable and dedicated to his craft in martial arts and teaching.”
Why these companies made our list
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