Clark's Self Defense
“I would highly recommend it if you're considering self-defense training, multi-discipline martial arts training, or simply after school exercise and motivation!”
Best Self-Defense Classes in Sarasota, FL
24 schools listed · 7 in Sarasota · 13 open weekends · 23 rated 4.5+
Data verified October 18, 2026
Fellowship Jiu-Jitsu Sarasota
“I'm happy to be a student here and highly recommend to anyone and everyone that they take a class here and see someone taking such a complex art and making it easier to learn by having a clear curriculum and building sequentially.”
Wolfpack Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
“The training I have received has completely changed the way I view self-defense and has actually already made me feel more confident in my abilities (due to other students being honest about techniques actually working or not when I apply them).”
Raiz Jiujitsu Sarasota
“The Coaching from Head Instructor Leo to other high experienced Staff and Team members and everyone one else in between makes it an environment that challenges you yet also allows you to enjoy the journey at your pace and in your timing”
Gracie Jiu Jitsu Sarasota Academy
“I can't say enough about the quality of the art of Jiu-Jitsu you will learn when you choose to show up at an academy that doesn't fall far from the tree when it comes to knowledge, that is skillfully passed down from the source.”
Shuhari Martial Arts
“To see how much my kid has grown in both confidence and as as a person since she joined the dojo is indescribable, and I can't wait to see how far she'll go as she continues her tutelage under Kyoshi Baker and the magnificent instructors at this dojo...”
Short self-defense courses listed for Sarasota, 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: Sarasota, FL
7 of the 24 schools we list are based in Sarasota; the other 17 serve Sarasota from towns including Bradenton (11 mi), Palmetto (13 mi) and St. Petersburg (32 mi). The schools on this page are rated from 4.4 to 5.0 across 1,332 reviews; 12 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 (94%), quality (89%) and communication (77%). The topics that come up most in reviews of the schools on this page are "atmosphere", "knowledge" and "confidence". 13 are open on Saturdays and 2 on Sundays. Domain records put 14 websites of the schools on this page at ten or more years old; the oldest dates from 2003. 2 are family- or locally-owned and 3 list coupons or special offers. We have a website on file for all 24 of the schools on this page; 17 publish a contact page; 20 list a public email and 5 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.
Which course providers listed for Sarasota describe their courses online?
All 24 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.
Suncoast Taekwondo & Yoga
“But I was very pleased to find that, in addition to skill, the experts here take such care for safety and truly focus on the individual.”
Kickin' It Karate & Fitness Bradenton / Lakewood Ranch FL
“As a disclaimer, it is fair to point out that I recently started supporting them with some marketing strategies; however, my review comes from the time I spent at the academy and saw them interacting with students/families; and then I got to train Ji...”
Gracie Bradenton
“I visited this school for 2 weeks while on vacation, and i noticed that sonny, and the other instructors would make sure that each student could perform the techniques demonstrated correctly, before moving on to the next lesson.”
Olivera Jiu Jitsu and Fitness Academy
“Family owned and operated the owners and their family are absolutely wonderful they treat you like you're one of theirs great place to take your children or yourself!”
Lakewood Ranch Taekwondo
“Not only has our son learned the proper way to kick, punch, and block he has learned important lifelong principles like respect, honor, courtesy, integrity and self control.”
No Limits Jiu Jitsu
“My son loves coming here and Johns great with the kids and makes training a fun experience for the children and he knows the kids strengths and weaknesses to make them be successful, will be signing myself up as well in the near future, highly recomm...”
North River Jiu Jitsu
“Coach Josh is always watching and breaking down matches and other athletes, and immediately applies that to his teaching; Josh evolves with the ever-evolving techniques and provides helpful details for different body types/flexibility levels/etc.”
Ellenton Martial Arts & Self Defense Classes: Shim Shin Do
“The instructors here, are also experienced in training people with all sorts of backgrounds, goals, experiences, ages and disabilities or prior injuries that could affect your ability to train.”
Goshin Jujitsu of Lakewood Ranch
“They have already learned skills for self defense and equally as important, they truly enjoy it.”
Gladiator Dojo LLC
“He loves the martial arts and his students!”
Revolutionary Martial Arts & Fitness
“The classes at Revolutionary Martial Arts have been great for our family, and I am feeling so much more healthy, positive and confident after working out there the past few years.”
Alliance Venice Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Team
“Professor Fabio is an authentic BJJ teacher, born in Rio de Janeiro, the birthplace of Jiu-jitsu in Brazil, next to the great Master Gigi, one of the founders of the Alliance.”
Nokido Ju-Jitsu
“Have been going here for a long time with many kids , awesome family atmosphere ,the best teacher sensi Chris has the most paitence with the little ones but most of all he makes learning fun”
Oh's Martial Arts
“I have fun there everybody is kind there and I like it there because I give out prizes and I get to learn cool moves and I get to make new friends i have learned manners I think that it's a good place”
Bushido Karate Academy
“We appreciate the text and email class updated, the parent's night out, the class schedule, the mini monthly personal goals the students have the opportunity to participate in, how our son is slotted in rank advancement, the open lines of communicati...”
MA Fitness Kickboxing
“On top of an amazing cardiovascular workout the kickboxing classes offer, their kickboxing bootcamps hit the areas I'm laziest about during weight lifting sessions (core and stretching).”
Inside Control Academy
“I have been to a few different jiu jitsu schools in the area and I was blown away by the skill level of everyone in the class which says a lot about the instructors.”
Gracie Apollo Beach
“Coach Luis and Coach Erin, and the rest of the coaches, lead by example, explain things clearly, are very knowledgeable, teach with much patience and correct with kindness.”
Why these companies made our list
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