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Emerge Jiu Jitsu
- Atmosphere
- Self Defense
- Mat
“Great place to train and teach your kid jiujitsu, this place has a strong family focus, it's awesome to train in the same place your kids do, and roll with all the other parents.”
Best Self-Defense Classes in Vancouver, WA
24 schools listed · 6 in Vancouver · 1 open 24/7 · 21 open weekends · 23 rated 4.5+
Data verified October 18, 2026
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Ussd Vancouver
- Adults
- Discipline
- Knowledge
“May God grace this place with his blessings, originally, my parents made me go to USSD, at the time I was 14, with some personal problems with my parents regarding my Discipline, the second reason they made me join was cause of a program i joined in ...”
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East West Martial Arts
“Awesome, fun , and friendly instructors it feels like one big happy family with everyone they help all there kids and their families find good healthy solutions for issues that happen at school and at home they are non judge mental and help boost yo...”
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Inertia Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
- Learning
- Train
- Shoulder
“His ability to translate techniques and concepts to all levels of Jiu Jitsu players is unmatched; working with everyone from brand new white belts (like myself) to seasoned brown belts—he ensures that all of his students, as individuals and not just ...”
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Vancouver Taekwondo Academy
- Integrity
“Scott is not only an amazing martial arts teacher and coach, but also has an uncanny ability to understand his students capabilities and how push them past that limit, and know how to encourage growth and confidence in even the most shy and unsure of...”
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Artisan Martial Arts
- Learn
- Video
- Karate
“Sensi Mish is a fantastic teacher, he has the unique ability to split moves up into connecting segments that are easy to learn and easy to reconnect into the complete move.”
Short self-defense courses listed for Vancouver, WA 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: Vancouver, WA
6 of the 24 schools we list are based in Vancouver; the other 18 serve Vancouver from towns including Portland, OR (7 mi), Troutdale, OR (13 mi) and Battle Ground (10 mi). The schools on this page are rated from 4.4 to 5.0 across 1,916 reviews; 16 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 quality (91%), professionalism (88%) and communication (84%). The topics that come up most in reviews of the schools on this page are "skills", "atmosphere" and "confidence". 1 is open around the clock; 20 are open on Saturdays and 9 on Sundays. 4 have a BBB rating of A or A+. Domain records put 12 websites of the schools on this page at ten or more years old; the oldest dates from 1999. 1 is 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; 21 publish a contact page; 20 list a public email and 7 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 Vancouver 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.
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Five Rings Jiu Jitsu
- Learning
- Competition
- Fitness
“The soul filled coaches Sarah, Kristy, Dan bring their “A game” everyday creating an environment that fosters lil “Love warriors" w/legit badass skills.”
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Gracie Barra Southwest Portland
- Train
- Environment
- Belts
“My family was the 2nd or 3rd to sign up with Jay at SW Gracie Barra all those years ago and we've stayed through all the tumult and restrictions over the last couple years because this is hands down the best gym to train at in and around the PDX area...”
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Straight Blast Gym Portland
- Train
- Facility
- Number
“Ultimately, the gym was too far from us to be sustainable, but when I let them know that we had decided to join a bjj gym closer to home, but we're forever indebted for Justin's gift to my son, I heard nothing except approval and happiness that he wa...”
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Battle Ground Martial Arts Academy
- Environment
- Community
- Cardio
“I originally joined with intentions of just being able to broaden my horizons of using different equipment, but I quickly was immersed into a community and family atmosphere that opened my eyes to much more than I bargained for.”
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W1 Taekwondo
- Discipline
- Skills
- Leadership
“My wife's and my delight lies in witnessing how his experiences at W1 Taekwondo have further refined these qualities, boosting his confidence and inspiring a newfound zeal for excellence in all areas of life, from academics to home responsibilities a...”
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Tigerstyle Combat Sports
- Muay Thai
- Train
- Confidence
“Coach Achilles really cares about his students and makes sure you're learning what you're paying for but at the same time having fun while you're doing it.”
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One With Heart Martial Arts + Self Defense
“One With Heart is a place where my daughter and I have been welcomed and encouraged to be ourselves, while practicing an ancient form of martial arts in a beloved community.”
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G.i.r.l.s. Gym
- Learn
- Confidence
- MMA
“My son goes to a different jujitsu studio and altho that other place is fine, the coaches do not explain the "why" behind the approach and are less strict about technique so his movements aren't nearly as precise as his sisters'”
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Industrial Strength Gym: Fitness & Jiu Jitsu
“The coaches are all amazing; they really foster a strong sense of sportsmanship and reward effort and attitude more than anything (in addition to teaching the moves with skill).”
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Lone Wolf Jiu Jitsu Academy
“His brothers moved on to other sports but because of the great comradory and positive motivation Nickolas came out of his shell and has gained so much from The Lone Wolf family I can't thank them enough for what they have done for nicks confidence ...”
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Brazilian Top Team Happy Valley
- Jiu Jitsu
- Environment
- Learn
“I had plenty of experience in a physical competitive sport(boxing) but was a fish out of water on the mat and at 33 years old you feel weird asking for help but the coaches made sure to take it from the very top and teach me the fundamentals which wa...”
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Renzo Gracie Jiu Jitsu Portland
- Train
- Environment
- Classes
“He makes you want to show up and not miss a class because he's so passionate about what he does that it makes you want to be your best and it poetry in motion to see the man teach and it's an honor and a privilege to get to learn from him in the envi...”
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Southwest Portland Martial Arts and Crossfit Hillsdale
- Kids
- BJJ
- Adults
“When I walked in 7 months ago, hoping to gain some confidence and strength, I immediately felt that this was a safe place for me to learn Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.”
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Gracie Technics Jiu-Jitsu Academy
- Learn
- Atmosphere
- Feel
“They have created an environment here where anybody can learn and grow by being present for the students and creating a safe and friendly environment for everyone (kids have so much fun in the kid's classes!”
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Checkmat Portland
- Professor
- Environment
- Adults
“My time training under professor Junior has been nothing but an amazing experience, I asked a friend from Los Angeles who has 10+ years in jiu jitsu where I should train in the Portland area, and Checkmat was at the top of his list.”
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Unicorn Jiu Jitsu
- Environment
- Instruction
- Skills
“This gym is the perfect place for professional fighters training, or the terrified woman who just wants to build some confidence and feel comfortable to walk on the street by herself.”
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Bethany US World Class Taekwondo Martial Arts Academy
- Birthday
- Confidence
- Party
“The instructors and employees all go above and beyond for their students and you can feel the family atmosphere the moment you walk through the doors.”
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Impact Jiu Jitsu
“Whether you're a complete beginner looking for a place to begin your journey or an experienced veteran who wants to expand one's knowledge, this is the place for you.”
Self-Defense Training Services in Vancouver, WA Cost Estimates
Minimum cost
$182
Maximum cost
$546
National Average
$279
Avg Per Hour Rates
$73
$243
$376
Fair price range is based on 490 cost profiles
Why these companies made our list
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