View Profile
Authentic Jiu Jitsu
- Competitive
- Atmosphere
- Professor
“Ben is an excellent professor, a pleasure to deal with, I searched for a Jiu Jitsu for a few months, and Authentic is by far the best one I found in the area!”
Best Self-Defence Classes in Calgary, AB
24 schools listed · 19 in Calgary · 22 open weekends · 23 rated 4.5+
Data verified October 18, 2026
View Profile
Itta and Ninpo Martial Arts School
- Confidence
- Team
- Course
“If you have any doubt about getting involved with ITTA, hopefully this helps encourage you to have a conversation with Orlando or Elise about getting involved.”
View Profile
Affinity Academy: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
- Learning Environment
- Fear
- BJJ
“Highly competent and trained cadre of practicioners in a clean, comfortable and conducive learning environment for self defense, fitness, kickboxing and Brazilian jiu jitsu.”
View Profile
Safe4life
- Police
- Practice
- Confident
“The instructor (Liz) was very knowledgeable and the ability to practice hands on skills with the padded attacker really made the class a unique experience.”
View Profile
Rocky Mountain Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
- Team
- Christian
- Atmosphere
“Some high level grapplers at this gym, super friendly, knowledgeable, and respectful people, and made it super easy for me to drop in while on vacation.”
View Profile
YYC Brazilian JIU Jitsu
- Professor
- Classes
- Skills
“Coming in as a women in my late 30's with no martial arts experience and really out of shape after 2 years of sitting on the couch during covid, I was a bit intimidated at first, but coaches Scott and Shae and everyone else have made me feel welcome ...”
Short self-defence courses listed for Calgary, AB 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: Calgary, AB
19 of the 24 schools we list are based in Calgary; the other 5 serve Calgary from towns including Chestermere (17 km), Cochrane (32 km) and Okotoks (37 km). 23 of the schools on this page have a rating, from 4.5 to 5.0 across 2,083 reviews; 12 have 50 or more reviews. When students and parents rate these schools on specific qualities, they most often praise professionalism (91%), quality (91%) and value (91%). The topics that come up most in reviews of the schools on this page are "atmosphere", "knowledge" and "skills". 20 are open on Saturdays and 15 on Sundays. 7 have ten or more years of experience, the longest 24 years. 1 offers a free trial or consultation and 1 lists coupons or special offers. We have a website on file for all 24 of the schools on this page; 20 publish a contact page; 20 list a public email and 6 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 enrol.
Do the schools on this page travel out to Calgary?
Many do. 19 of the 24 listed here sit in Calgary and the others are within 90 km, 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.
View Profile
Elite Martial Arts Academy
- Boys
- Shape
- Muay Thai
“Beyond the fantastic instruction, the gym maintains a clean and organized environment, offers well-priced memberships for a diverse range of classes, and provides access to quality practice equipment.”
View Profile
10th Planet Jiu Jitsu Calgary
- Understand
- Game
- Competitive
“I have started with 10th Planet from the very first week that it opened last year and even though I was never consistent in going because of working in fort Mac, every time I showed up to class, Coach Corey greets me by name and with a welcoming smil...”
View Profile
The Kodokan Jiu-Jitsu Club
- Black Belt
- Atmosphere
- Professor
“My cardio, strength and confidence have all increased because of practicing Ju Jitsu and I look forward to continuing with the practice at Kodokan my entire life.”
View Profile
Alavanca
- Checking
- Wrestling
- BJJ
“Welcoming community, everyone just wants to help eachother improve and grow absolutely no judgement even towards someone who is still learning like me.”
View Profile
Arashi Do Martial Arts
“Instructor JP who we have for our daily practices have been fantastic, encouraging and like many other reviews have mention, our son absolutely loves going to BJJ, is building confidence, learning to listen and simple put, the instructor led training...”
View Profile
Champion's Creed Mixed Martial Arts South
- Safety
- Mats
- Facility
“There's a huge array of ages, skill levels, and coaches, yet somehow, they are able to make sure that everyone gets exactly what they need, no matter their goals.”
View Profile
JR Academy
- Game
- Knowledge
- BJJ
“Josh is a fantastic Jiu-Jitsu professor and his instruction is backed by countless hours on the mats, in competition, getting his black belt from Carlos Gracie Jr.”
View Profile
The Old Way Jiu-Jitsu
- Understanding
- Communication
- Mat
“Coach Revoy is an exceptional instructor: superbly professional with clear communication, personalized feedback, and goal-oriented structured classes for all ages and experience levels.”
View Profile
Satori YYC
- Train
- Shape
- Professor
“Honestly, I didn't love it at first - but, I loved my Professor Diana, liked all the woman in the group, had never had such a good work out and as a person who has always had anxiety, I noticed within the first month my anxiety had pretty much disapp...”
View Profile
Wiley Jiu-Jitsu YYC
- Self Defence
- Environment
- Skilled
“The strike based/street defence Jiu-Jitsu aspect is what separates Wiley Jiu-Jitsu from all the other schools in addition to the highly technical grappling techniques taught!”
View Profile
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Fight Club
- Adult
- Skills
- Competition
“I have known rob for a long time at least 7 years and he has never let me down he even drained my cauliflower ear for the first time and let me know how it was done can never be thankful enough thanks rob!”
View Profile
On Point Protection Skills
- Knowledge
“Having been in the private security sector for most of my career one knows the dangers that is faced daily, learnong new and better techniques to protect yourself and others is an important part of the job.”
View Profile
Rise Jiu Jitsu
- Individual
- Mental Health
- Sensei
“Sensei Latifah and her highly observant personality allowing her to attune with the students and communicate patiently with gentle, but FIRM clear expectations - Especially when advocating for the safety and benefit of each individual for the overall...”
View Profile
Back to the Mat BJJ
“Great family run business.”
View Profile
Dallas O'Regan Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
- Belt
- Mats
- Sensei
“Sensei Dallas and Erica's passion for the sport is reflected in the structure and focus of the program as well as the pride they take in their facility.”
View Profile
Foothills Jiu-Jitsu
View Profile
Rhino Tactical Defense Alberta
- Tools
- Sister
- Course
“Chris, your passion for this program was very impactful, and while I wish it wasn't something we had to prepare our kids for, I am so glad we participated in this course!”
View Profile
Dark Horse Martial Arts
- September
- Knowledge
- Atmosphere
“Every single time I go to class I learn something new, whether it's feedback from Travis, my classmates during sparring, or when someone wants use me as a guinea pig to try new submissions on.”
Why these companies made our list
Is this page useful? Yes
No
Is there anything wrong with this page?
