Lucas Lepri Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Knoxville TN
“Love this place, every class you leave feeling grateful to be here.”
Best Self-Defense Classes in Knoxville, TN
12 schools listed · 8 in Knoxville · 10 open weekends · all 12 rated 4.5+
Data verified October 18, 2026
Musei Tora Bujinkan
“I was new to martial arts when i joined but they adjusted to my pace and patiently worked with me as i learned.”
Braga Bjj Knoxville
“There's a lot of BJJ gyms out there, and quite a few just in Knoxville… There is no instructor with the resume, the experience or the passion quite like Samuel.”
Shield Systems Academy
“Ben and Amy are great instructors who know how to create an atmosphere where everyone feels safe, enjoys their time on the mats, and where all feel welcome.”
Morris Self Defense
“Instructor he cares very deeply for what he does one of the best instructors I've ever had you will not regret going there.”
Cate Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Kickboxing
“Best gym I've been to in Knoxville with the most affordable pricing for the best instruction.”
Short self-defense courses listed for Knoxville, TN are spread across the 12 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: Knoxville, TN
8 of the 12 schools we list are based in Knoxville; the other 4 serve Knoxville from towns including Powell (7 mi), Seymour (11 mi) and Alcoa (14 mi). The schools on this page are rated from 4.7 to 5.0 across 716 reviews; 6 have 50 or more reviews. When students and parents rate these schools on specific qualities, they most often praise professionalism (97%), quality (93%) and communication (90%). The topics that come up most in reviews of the schools on this page are "skills", "atmosphere" and "confidence". 9 are open on Saturdays and 1 on Sundays. Domain records put 7 websites of the schools on this page at ten or more years old; the oldest dates from 2006. We have a website on file for all 12 of the schools on this page; 9 publish a contact page; 8 list a public email and 2 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 Knoxville describe their courses online?
All 12 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.
Chinese Martial Arts Center
“He is an incredibly talented teacher and I feel so much more prepared for a terrible situation.”
Alpha Omega Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
“Earl and his students were very welcoming and knowledgeable.”
Fitbjj
“Definitely one pf my favorite places to be in my free time, judgement free, great teacher, and a atmosphere for some great friendly competition.”
The Wheeler Academy
“But all the kids really enjoy the class with all the different activities and sparring.”
Seymour Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy
“The owners are professional and personal and operate the business with great integrity.”
Mad Science Judo and Jiu-Jitsu
“Ted ( the black belt instructor) treated me like a valued member of his academy and personally showed me some techniques I could improve while rolling with him.”
Why these companies made our list
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