Modern Martial Arts
“Enthusiastic and incredible communication skills for all the instructors I watched working with the kids.”
Best Self-Defense Classes in New York, NY
21 schools listed · all 21 in New York · 20 open weekends · all 21 rated 4.5+
Fabulous & Fearless
“I learned important lessons about safety and self defense, yet the atmosphere was surprisingly fun.”
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Paxibellum Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu NYC
“This is a perfectly midsized gym, perfect for having enough people to roll with and sufficient mat space but not HQ levels of attendance so you still get that nice community going.”
SD Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu NYC
“Silvio was welcoming and accommodating, and I was glad to have found such quality instruction and a great group of his students to train with.”
Renzo Gracie Academy
“Show up on time, have a clean gi and be kind and respectful, and you'll love the place and fit in with no issues.”
Dan Covel Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
“One of the things I love most about Dan's instruction is that he explains things in detail, why you move this way, or why you don't move another way.”
Short self-defense courses listed for New York, NY are spread across the 21 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: New York, NY
All 21 schools we list here are in New York itself. We have 35 schools in New York on file; this page shows the highest-rated 21. The schools on this page are rated from 4.7 to 5.0 across 2,153 reviews; 18 have 50 or more reviews. When students and parents rate these schools on specific qualities, they most often praise professionalism (90%), quality (84%) and communication (77%). The topics that come up most in reviews of the schools on this page are "atmosphere", "skills" and "community". 20 are open on Saturdays and 13 on Sundays. Domain records put 12 websites of the schools on this page at ten or more years old; the oldest dates from 2002. 1 is family- or locally-owned and 3 list coupons or special offers. We have a website on file for all 21 of the schools on this page; 18 publish a contact page; 17 list a public email and 9 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 New York describe their courses online?
All 21 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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Fabio Clemente Studiox BJJ
“Great instruction, and upper belts that knew the technique or drilling well were helpful once we split into pairs.”
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Workshop NYC Muay Thai & Jiujitsu
“Can't speak for the Muay Thai program but Gianna and Rich train champions.”
Range Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu NYC
“You become friends with the people you train with, and Range is a place where nice people come together.”
JKD NYC
“The content and focus is on practical skills that could be implemented to protect and defend in the unfortunate event that a confrontation can't be avoided...”
Ronin Athletics MMA NYC
“So happy to have started and continue my BJJ journey at Ronin Athletics because here, not only does it challenge me physically but also empowers me on a deeper level.”
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Krav Maga Experts
“If you want to get fit, learn self defense, and have a place where people actually care for you then this is the place.”
FIT HIT
“Friendly trainers and staff, loved their self-defense class and the opportunity to level up when interested.”
Radical MMA NYC
“He gave a great explanation as to what they offer and the type of commitment they expect.”
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Renzo Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Upper West Side
“I can't speak highly enough about the quality of instruction and the community.”
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Next Evolution Martial Arts & Kioto BJJ
“Next evolution martial arts is a great place ,great teaching, great professor.”
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Unity Jiu Jitsu School
“Everyone at the gym from the staff (especially Professor Murilo) to the other students are extremely helpful and generous with their time and knowledge.”
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10th Planet Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
“Class went over fundamentals in detail and progressed to more advanced concepts in a logical way.”
NYC Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy
“Great gym — space is awesome, always a good amount of people at all ranks, and high level competition.”
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Square Circle New York
“I would refer the place to to all levels of Muay Thai.”
International Martial Arts Center
“I had never done martial arts before, but had always wanted to try it, and the instructions have been great at breaking things down and making everything accessible.”
Why these companies made our list
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