10th Planet Poway Jiu Jitsu
“I'm pleasantly surprised that the classes are light in attendance early in the morning and I hope the owners keep it going.”
Best Self-Defense Classes near Poway, CA
2 of these schools are based in Poway; the others serve Poway from San Diego (12 mi), Escondido (11 mi) and El Cajon (13 mi).
all 15 open weekends · all 15 rated 4.5+
Data verified October 16, 2026
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Poway Martial Arts
“Over the years, I've gained a wide range of skills and refined my abilities far beyond what I expected when I first joined.”
Full Potential Martial Arts Academy
“Even if you don't know anything about martial arts, everyone is super helpful and friendly and you'll get the hang of it in no time!”
Atos Jiu Jitsu HQ
“This is a REAL ACADEMY… I couldn't believe all the instructors who were over qualified to teach a young class … super informative..”
Swiftkick Martial Arts San Diego
“His favorite part about the program is that he knows he is learning skills that will help him protect himself in real life.”
Alliance Jiu Jitsu San Diego
“Super welcoming gym with awesome people & instructors & curriculum/ class schedule & events, plus lots of women & women's only classes and super easy parking and an app that tracks your progress and good water :P .”
Short self-defense courses listed for Poway, CA 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: Poway, CA
The 15 schools on this page are rated from 4.6 to 5.0 across 3,738 reviews; 13 have 50 or more reviews. The topics that come up most in reviews of the schools on this page are "skills", "atmosphere" and "knowledge". All 15 are open on Saturdays and 5 on Sundays. 1 has a BBB rating of A or A+. 8 have ten or more years of experience, the longest 39 years. 2 are family- or locally-owned and 3 list coupons or special offers. We have a website on file for all 15 of the schools on this page; 14 publish a contact page; all 15 list a public email and 11 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 Poway?
Many do. 2 of the 15 listed here sit in Poway and the others are within 15 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.
99 Jiu-Jitsu HQ
“Coaches Jason, Saki, Celine and Professor Mike were phenomenal instructors balancing discipline, technique, and fun with the kids.”
Authentic White Tiger Kung Fu
“First of all I would like to say the instructors were patient and inspiring, and the energy in the class was incredible.”
Soca Brazilian Jiu Jitsu San Diego
“Then you'll meet Professor Bruno, a highly respected, no-nonsense black belt who teaches every class with the attention, detail, and care of a one on one experience.”
CCW USA Firearms Training
“They are very knowledgeable and professional, emphasized safety and conflict avoidance, and created a friendly and engaging atmosphere during the course.”
Legion American Jiu Jitsu San Diego
“If your in the area and looking for jiu-jitsu academy or maybe a new sport or martial art I would highly recommend you bring your whole family in and start training there today!”
Prism Jiu Jitsu
“We started Tyresse and Travis here last year with absolutely no Jiu Jitsu experience, and now they're competing in some pretty high-level tournaments.”
Switch Fitness San Diego
“He took the time to break down the movement and really explain the effectiveness and practicality of the movements he was teaching.”
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Blur Martial Arts
“Love this place, dedicated team of instructors and the guy never gives up =P”
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Odyssey Training Center San Diego
“You can tell they really care about their members — they take the time to help you with form, answer questions, and make sure you're getting the most out of your workouts.”
Why these companies made our list
What students and parents say about schools near Poway
- “The training you learn will significantly boost your confidence and skill in self-defense situations, and you’ll get an incredible work out and make new friends in the process.” — from a review of 10th Planet Poway Jiu Jitsu
- “I am looking forward to learning more and I would absolutely recommend this class for anyone interested in self-defense (and humbling experiences).” — from a review of Soca Brazilian Jiu Jitsu San Diego
- “The self-defense skills she's learned have helped her become even more confident.” — from a review of Full Potential Martial Arts Academy
- “Their programs go beyond education — they’re transformational, empowering you to confront challenges, build self-awareness, and emerge stronger and more authentic.” — from a review of Odyssey Training Center San Diego
- “Excellent class, excellent instructor, and very practical techniques for those looking to gain a fundamentally realistic base of knowledge pertaining to self defense in real-world situations.” — from a review of Full Potential Martial Arts Academy
Excerpts from public reviews of the schools listed on this page.
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