Mesa, AZ

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Mesa, AZ
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Best Self-Defense Classes in Mesa, AZ

20 schools listed · all 20 in Mesa · 1 open 24/7 · 16 open weekends · 16 rated 4.5+

Data verified October 18, 2026

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Ares East Mesa BJJ Academy

Ares East Mesa BJJ Academy

5.0 50 reviews
“Alex is awesome when it comes down to actually teaching the kids new moves!”
Free trial classSince 2020
9245 E Guadalupe Rd Suite 105
Featured

***EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT!!!*** Ares East Mesa is excited to debut our newest program... 👉🔥WRESTLING!!!🔥👈 Wrestling will be Saturday mornings from 8am - 9am and will be taught by CHRIS SMITH!!! 📌Note: The Women's Program is being put on pause. GETTING TO KNOW YOUR NEW COACH -CHRIS SMITH: 👉I was born in Las Vegas, NV and raised in Gilbert, AZ. Currently, I am a Fire Engineer/Paramedic with Chandler Fire Department. I have a wife and a daughter. I started wrestling at 5 years old, and wrestled competitively in high school (Highland HS), college at Arizona State University, and United States Police and Fire Games. During my wrestling career, I achieved 5 individual state wrestling titles in 3 different disciplines; 4th place at Rocky Mountain Nationals, 1st place at El Cajon, one of the top 10 toughest tournaments in the country, 4x State placer, 2x East Valley Regional Champion, most takedowns in a season, part of Pac 10 championship team, Maroon and Gold Scholar athlete, winning record while at ASU, 2nd place at U.S. Police and Fire Games. Competitively, in jiu-jitsu I won double gold as a blue belt, at Arizona Masters Championship. I’m looking forward to coaching everyone in their wrestling technique to complement their jiu-jitsu practice. Take care, Chris Smith Please extend a warm welcome to our newest coach!!!

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Farias Jiu-Jitsu

Farias Jiu-Jitsu

4.9 49 reviews
“He is honest, his pricing is transparent and fair, and he has an incredible reputation in the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu community around the world.”
Free trial classSince 2013
5257 E Brown Rd
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Faction Combat Mixed Martial Arts Gym

Faction Combat Mixed Martial Arts Gym

5.0 48 reviews
“Steve is an amazing instructor, and the skills we learn have help build confidence, have helped us feel safer, and have helped us lose weight!”
Free trial classSince 2017
7641 E Guadalupe Rd b103
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East Mesa Karate

East Mesa Karate

4.9 47 reviews
“It's more then just karate, they teach many other great values along with it.”
Since 2009
9303 E Baseline Rd UNIT 104
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Precision Martial Arts

Precision Martial Arts

4.7 44 reviews
“Less strict and more understanding, but does encourages following rules and teaches kids options in real life situations.”
Ages 7–12Since 2004
5757 E McKellips Rd #101
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Spartan Nation Combatives and Fitness

Spartan Nation Combatives and Fitness

4.9 38 reviews
“Coach Dan is very personable and knows everyone by first name, it shows that he really cares about helping everyone from the beginner all the way to the most advanced.”
Free trial classSince 2016Prices online
3929 E Main St Suite 12
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Short self-defense courses listed for Mesa, AZ are spread across the 20 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: Mesa, AZ

All 20 schools we list here are in Mesa itself. We have 23 schools in Mesa on file; this page shows the highest-rated 20. 19 of the schools on this page have a rating, from 4.0 to 5.0 across 876 reviews; 7 have 50 or more reviews and 16 are rated 4.5 or higher. When students and parents rate these schools on specific qualities, they most often praise quality (94%), professionalism (91%) and communication (75%). The topics that come up most in reviews of the schools on this page are "atmosphere", "confidence" and "community". 1 is open around the clock; 16 are open on Saturdays and 3 on Sundays. Domain records put 10 websites of the schools on this page at ten or more years old; the oldest dates from 2005. 1 lists coupons or special offers. We have a website on file for all 20 of the schools on this page; 12 publish a contact page; 13 list a public email and 8 take bookings online. We count these figures across the schools on this page; hours and prices change, so confirm the details with the school before you enroll.

Which course providers listed for Mesa describe their courses online?

All 20 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.

Gracie Jiu Jitsu Mesa

Gracie Jiu Jitsu Mesa

5.0 25 reviews
“Jimi and the guys run a great gym, I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a good kids program.”
Free trial classAges 13 and up5 instructorsSince 2020Below average prices
1933 E University Dr Suite 3 & 5
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Gracie Barra East Mesa Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Self-Defense

Gracie Barra East Mesa Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Self-Defense

4.9 33 reviews
“The evolution that has taken place at this gym since day one is nothing short of amazing - especially with respect to the culture that has been built.”
Free trial classSince 2021
10720 E Southern Ave Suite 110
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Tao Martial Arts

Tao Martial Arts

5.0 22 reviews
“Ferguson and the SSS team make beginners feel comfortable and capable, even if you have absolutely zero experience in martial arts!”
Free trial classSince 2022
6515 E Main St STE 115
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Revive Jiu Jitsu

Revive Jiu Jitsu

5.0 25 reviews
“Started going here in December and love how patient and welcoming Coach Jorge is.”
Free trial classFrom $30/moSince 2020
1113 S Signal Butte Rd #110
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Barrier Academy

Barrier Academy

Open 24 hoursSince 2015
1660 S Alma School Rd
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Ares Arizona Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Ares Arizona Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

4.8 23 reviews
“This is the kind of place that makes advanced students better but also gives white belts a seriously well balanced base in fundamentals.”
Free trial classSince 2017
1660 S Alma School Rd #118
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Universal Fitness AND Mixed Martial Arts

Universal Fitness AND Mixed Martial Arts

4.4 12 reviews
“If you're on the fence about BJJ, this is definitely the place to try it is safe, fun and family friendly.”
Free trial classSince 2014
7931 E Pecos Rd #110
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American Wushu Academy

American Wushu Academy

4.9 16 reviews
“Our 6 year old is having a lot of fun and showing a lot of enthusiasm to learn more.”
Free trial classSince 2012Online lessons
4425 S Mountain Rd Offices / Conference Room
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Essential Aikido

Essential Aikido

4.4 6 reviews
“Aside from the increased flexibility the Aikido training and especially Sensi Tom's personalized attention helped me regulate my mindset as well and provides a whole new perspective not only on what I can do with my body but on everyday life as well.”
Since 2018
Paloma Community Church, 3215 S Sossaman Rd
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Advanced Defense Solutions LLC

Advanced Defense Solutions LLC

5.0 6 reviews
“There were people who were new to fire arms and ex military and the training was good enough to keep all engaged, learning and having fun!”
Since 2012
3960 N Usery Pass Rd
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Hung Fa Yi Wing Chun of Az

Hung Fa Yi Wing Chun of Az

5.0 11 reviews
“Sifu Mark has been nothing but kind and thorough when I had so many questions about Wing Chun and its principles.”
Free trial class25% offFrom $45/moAges 8–14Since 2009
2612 W Baseline Rd
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Coach Decker's Martial Arts For Kids and Families Academy

Coach Decker's Martial Arts For Kids and Families Academy

5.0 10 reviews
“You don't have to know a lick about kicboxing, coach teaches the 10 main moves and explains them for newbies to understand.”
Coupons & offersSince 2016
4210 E Main St
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Sharkside Jiu-Jitsu

Sharkside Jiu-Jitsu

5.0 4 reviews
“The instructor knows how to breakdown techniques to make it easily digestible.”
Since 2022
6555 E Southern Ave
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Horse Lords

Horse Lords

Since 2021
15112 S Mountain Rd
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