True Believer Jiu Jitsu
“Whether you're a visitor, prospective member, competitor or hobbyist, everyone at the gym is incredibly welcoming and friendly.”
Best Self-Defense Classes in Pittsburgh, PA
15 schools listed · 12 in Pittsburgh · 12 open weekends · all 15 rated 4.5+
Data verified October 16, 2026
The Academy of Martial Arts and Fitness
“Coach Chris Deep eats, sleeps, and breaths combat sports as well and will go the extra mile to program his wealth of knowledge to each individual member.”
Stout PGH
“Highly recommend training at Stouts if you're in the Pittsburgh area and are looking for a Jiu jitsu gym.”
Oom Yung Doe
“My 8 year old son joined the classes and he loves it.”
Win-Win Kung Fu Culture Center
“I've come from nearly a decade of other martial arts, and practicing Wushu and Taijiquan have been a refreshing way to pick up martial arts again.”
Pittsburgh Combat Club
“Very well taught and presented, in a safe environment with people I've come to call friends.”
Short self-defense courses listed for Pittsburgh, PA 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: Pittsburgh, PA
12 of the 15 schools we list are based in Pittsburgh; the other 3 serve Pittsburgh from Castle Shannon (6 mi), Bethel Park (7 mi) and East Pittsburgh (8 mi). The schools on this page are rated from 4.7 to 5.0 across 716 reviews; 4 have 50 or more reviews. The topics that come up most in reviews of the schools on this page are "atmosphere" and "skills". 12 are open on Saturdays and 4 on Sundays. 2 have a BBB rating of A or A+. Domain records put 10 websites of the schools on this page at ten or more years old; the oldest dates from 2002. 1 lists coupons or special offers. We have a website on file for all 15 of the schools on this page; 10 publish a contact page and 10 list a public email. 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 Pittsburgh?
Many do. 12 of the 15 listed here sit in Pittsburgh 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.
No Limits ATA Martial Arts
“I took my daughter there two years ago and this class has not just been a sport it has helped my kid to grow both physically and mentally into a strong and confident teenager.”
Lioness Martial Arts
“I greatly appreciated that Empowerment Self-Defense goes further than just teaching physical techniques.”
Personal Training Tactics by Don Kaecher
“I highly recommend joining to anyone looking to train, learn or just have some plain old fun.”
Steve Demasco's Shaolin Studios
“My two sons have been going to classes for over a year now and look forward to every one.”
Chontas Tang Soo Do Karate
“The instructors are very knowledgeable and focus on the basics for a good foundation.”
Rising Sun Martial Arts Inc
“Sensei Hosler runs an amazing program teaching discipline and respect along with karate.”
Rnr Fitness
Steel City Martial Arts
“They are very wholesome in their approach towards getting the kid started.”
Tang Soo Do Karate College
“I recently started with my teenage son, everyone there has been welcoming and helpful.”
Why these companies made our list
Is this page useful? Yes
No
Is there anything wrong with this page?
