Kim Karate Taekwondo and Learning Center
“My daughter has been practicing for a little over two years and has reach a very good level, without a doubt she has learned a lot.”
Best Self-Defense Classes near Upper Marlboro, MD
These schools serve Upper Marlboro from nearby bases in towns including Washington, DC, Waldorf and Lanham.
24 schools listed · 22 open weekends · 22 rated 4.5+
Data verified October 18, 2026
Estilo Jiu Jitsu
“The culture at Estilo is welcoming, making it easy for beginners to feel comfortable, but challenging enough for experienced practitioners to continually improve.”
Beta Academy
“Nakapan is a fantastic coach and he's built a superb gym with a positive culture and a great team of coaches.”
Full Circle Martial Arts Academy
“As great as they are as martial artists, they are even better people and time spent with them is extremely valuable on many levels.”
Calvert MMA Academy
“I was visiting from NYC and was treated by the head coach and all other staff + members with incredible warmth and welcoming.”
American Martial Arts Gym
“I really like these classes, some of the trainers speak Spanish and it helps a lot, I recommend it 💯 …”
Short self-defense courses listed for Upper Marlboro, MD 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: Upper Marlboro, MD
The 24 schools on this page are rated from 4.0 to 5.0 across 1,612 reviews; 12 have 50 or more reviews and 22 are rated 4.5 or higher. When students and parents rate these schools on specific qualities, they most often praise professionalism (92%), quality (86%) and communication (81%). The topics that come up most in reviews of the schools on this page are "skills", "atmosphere" and "community". 22 are open on Saturdays and 5 on Sundays. 14 have ten or more years of experience, the longest 27 years. 3 list coupons or special offers. We have a website on file for 23 of the schools on this page; 17 publish a contact page; 19 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.
How do I get a course outline from schools listed for Upper Marlboro?
By email, and 19 of the 24 schools here publish an address. Write with the group you have in mind, the room you can offer and what worries the group, then ask for a plan of the session. A school that replies with a price and nothing else has told you something.
Wing Chun MD
“..Cause as far as me; especially after studying wing Chun; knowing the problems in my own city with it and around the world; for me…WING CHUN LAB IS PRICELESS”
East Coast Martial Arts
“In here, you are treated as family where everyone is invested in your child and really focuses on teaching them life lessons they can carry throughout their lives.”
Level Up Boxing & Fitness
“I love coming every Tuesday and Thursday to not only blow off some steam but just to interact with everybody which is a very friendly environment”
Berwyn Heights BJJ
“He has a great school with lots of class time options to pick from.”
Fort Washington United
“They do real self defense and are planning a great summer camp.”
Shoreline Jiu Jitsu
“The owners, Max and Heather, create a fantastic atmosphere for all fitness levels.”
Be Tactical Defense
“For the price point, his courses provide ALOT of value especially the courses in which he provides a supplemental range course.”
3D Self Defense
“ My 15-year old won 1st place in his very first sparring tournament after only 3 months of training with Shifu Bledsoe and my wife and I have greatly enhanced our 12+ years of martial arts experience with the techniques and principals taught at 3D.”
We Lead By Example
“It was recommended by my neighbor, I'm pleased with the decision to go there, the teacher is very knowledgeable and care about his children.”
Cecil Ryu Taekwondo Club
“My kids look forward to coming to class every Saturday”
Kidz Kick
“Looking for a place to help with teaching your kids how to be respectful in addition to defend themselves you have found the right place.”
N-Flux
“I have learned a ton about personal defense in the few months I have been part of the gym.”
Shonen Jiu Jitsu
“If you are looking for a safe and welcoming place to learn from beginners to experts Shonen Jiu Jitsu is the place for you and your family!!”
Dennis Brown Shaolin Wu-Shu Center
“My instructors are involved and keep me motivated!”
Groundworks Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
“While we all have slumps, work travel, and injuries in our training schedule, the Groundworks community has been supportive in their encouragement of the learning process at a rate and intensity that works for you.”
Evolveall
“The staff is very friendly and inviting, the owner Emerson is the same way and Cesar Cabrera who is a Black belt under Renzo Gracie is a wealth of knowledge, his passionate approach to teaching BJJ creates the perfect learning environment.”
Scorpion Defense Training Group
“His patience and skills took me to another level in my shooting, not like other instructors I've worked with in the past.”
Rachanon Boxing
“It's always a pleasure working with Juned it doesn't even feel like cardio.”
Why these companies made our list
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