Carlson Gracie Plant City
“The facility is very spacious, super clean (The bathrooms were so clean I thought they used toothbrushes on the toilets) and there's plenty of opportunities for open training, private lessons, and structured classes.”
Best Self-Defense Classes near Plant City, FL
2 of these schools are based in Plant City; the others serve Plant City from towns including Tampa (20 mi), Lithia (12 mi) and Wesley Chapel (18 mi).
19 open weekends · 23 rated 4.5+
Data verified October 18, 2026
Chris Welbon Karate Clubs
“As a student of theirs i feel extremely qualified to say Chris Welbon is the best instructor that i have ever had and i will recommend them to everyone.”
Spivey Karate/Tai Chi
“My children are learning how to handle life situations (such as disappointments, defeat, wins, struggles, self -respect, common courtesy, responsibility, good will, safety and many other wonderful character traits) on top of learning karate / self de...”
Heimberger's Martial Arts
“This is a pick of me with Jeff Smith World Champion being tested for my green belt at Heimberger's Martial Arts School in Temple Terrace at Sherwood Plaza!”
Crossfit BNI
“Amazing coaches (Coach Mike, Jill, Leo, Eddie and Mark) that are dedicated to helping athletes (because we're all athletes, yeah even you) get better every day.”
Wesley Chapel Martial Arts Academy
“And we love how they are getting physically fit and how in every training Master Habib also focuses in building their character , how to have self control and to be good to others.”
Short self-defense courses listed for Plant City, FL are spread across the 24 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: Plant City, FL
The 24 schools on this page are rated from 4.1 to 5.0 across 2,013 reviews; 18 have 50 or more reviews and 23 are rated 4.5 or higher. When students and parents rate these schools on specific qualities, they most often praise professionalism (81%), quality (81%) and communication (75%). The topics that come up most in reviews of the schools on this page are "atmosphere", "confidence" and "skills". 18 are open on Saturdays and 6 on Sundays. 3 have a BBB rating of A or A+. 18 have ten or more years of experience, the longest 53 years. 3 list coupons or special offers. We have a website on file for all 24 of the schools on this page; 21 publish a contact page; 16 list a public email and 9 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 Plant City?
Many do. 2 of the 24 listed here sit in Plant City and the others are within 30 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.
Carlson Gracie Brazilian Jiujitsu Lakeland
“Coach Rafa is a great coach with a lot of knowledge and coach Mark is deeply invested in coaching the kids he coaches them as if he was coaching a the adults for competition they're both best coach hands down!!!!”
Caridian Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
“Everyone from Alan on down is fun and encouraging (which is great for someone like me who is not particularly athletic and for whom these techniques don't come naturally).”
Gracie Fishhawk Jiu Jitsu
“Each and every time, the owner supported my decisions, encouraged me, but most importantly, he enthusiastically welcomed me back each time, as if it were my first time on the mat!”
Gary Hernandez Martial Arts
Fishhawk Martial Arts Academy
“Only one person could attack at a time but another person could approach to immediately launch another offense as soon as the student neutralized the other aggressor.”
Freestyle Muay Thai
“I had never tried Muay Thai before and started with a private lesson with Kru Brian, who then invited me back later the same evening to try a free class.”
Traditional Tae Kwon-Do Carrollwood
“This is a very loving caring environment that still believes in traditional family values and teaches the young ones, the values of family and self confidence along with discipline and self defense”
Reflex Martial Arts
“My son has been taking Tae Kwon Do at Reflex Tae Kwon Do with Master Robaldo for two months, and I am very pleased with the instruction he's getting.”
J. Park Martial Arts
“If you're working an action film, you owe it to your cast and the quality of your project to hire a choreographer/stunt coordinator, and he is one of the best.”
Elevate Martial Arts South Tampa
“The best part about Elevate is the wide variety of things for my child to enjoy from weekly field trips, martial arts, arts and crafts, and learning activities.”
South Tampa Jiu-Jitsu & MMA
“Best coaches, best facility around ( and I've been around), and highly competitive or casual, has an amazing kids program, I wouldn't train anywhere else”
Gracie PAC MMA
“More active, more interactive, more confident, more loving, the coaches at gracie Pac have a way with kids, they show so much positivity and compassion”
Mt. Song Martial Arts Academy
“He does not place your growth in a box, but instead helps guide you to your true potential and what works best based on your strengths… both physically and mentally.”
Gracie Tampa South MMA and BJJ
“The owners Mat and Nat are heavily involved and you can feel the attention to detail everywhere from the coaching and events to the thoroughly cleaned training mats.”
Gracie Tampa HQ
“Previous to joining, I had practiced Jiujitsu at other schools; however, It was Rob Kahn's approach to teaching that made me fall in love with jiujitsu.”
Olympus Jiu Jitsu Academy
“We were considering a couple of jiu-jitsu places and once we checked out Olympus, we knew a few seconds after coming through the door that this was it!”
Gracie Apollo Beach
“When they opened their aftercare we were torn between the aftercare that our daughter had been at for the last few years and the extra cost of GAB aftercare.”
Tampa Bay Martial Arts Academy
“Not only do they teach karate skills but life skills as well”
Why these companies made our list
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