Best Academies To Learn Self Defense In Hartford Near Me

4worldlovers: Your success. We support your training and personal development. We understand YOU.

We have one of the TOP training facilities in the nation - clean, safe, and fully equipped!

3 Training Rooms · 10000 ft2 · MMA Cage · Boxing Ring · Locker Room · Private Showers · Cardio Machines · Free Weights

We're certain you'll love learning from our talented team. Take a FREE class today in the style of your choice.

Take a free class in krav maga, kickboxing, brazilian jiu jitsu, and more! Your class is tailored to your interests. We know you'll love Plus One Defense Systems. Sign up today!

Many martial art styles and classes to choose from. You can mix & match AT NO EXTRA COST.

Take Krav Maga and BJJ this week … then Kung fu and Aikido next week!

Read the reviews. Plus One Defense Systems is more than a martial arts academy.

We aim to have the highest level of professionalism, friendliness, and real martial arts training.

My 15 year old daughter has been training at Plus One for a few years now and she loves it! She has benefited so much physically and personally from their programs. The staff is excellent and the gym is always very clean. We have had a wonderful experience there!

I'm traveling for work and I stopped by Plus One Defense Systems school to check it out. I was blown away at how incredibly nice and welcoming everyone was from white belts to black belts. The instructions were clear, the techniques were detailed, and the rolls were amazing. Great technical and hard rolls, beautiful and clean facility, all belt levels, and kind people. Can't really beat that. Come train!

I've been training at Plus One Defense Systems in Krav Maga for a few weeks now, and it's been a great experience. It's scary to be a female sometimes (and a human in general for that matter), and it's good to be able to learn how to defend myself from real world situations. plusonedefensesystems Thanks so much for that post. It's great to have you training with us!

You make the path … we are there to teach and support you safely and effectively on your journey.

If this is your first visit to the site, I’m delighted that you’re taking the initial steps to becoming a martial artist!

When it comes to training, strength is often shown primarily with having the courage to begin. Whether you are five years old or seventy-five, your journey at Plus One will provide you with many great benefits.

For kids, our programs are focused on building character, improving attention span, focus, physical fitness, and self-control, while providing personal safety techniques. We do this through a myriad of martial arts systems and provide a great deal of opportunities for young people to train in various styles.

For adults, we continue our focus on bringing you all the benefits that the arts have to offer, including personal empowerment, heightened self-confidence, stress relief, physical conditioning, and personal safety instruction. We have a fantastically supportive atmosphere, and we offer an incredible variety of classes in multiple disciplines. Areas of instruction include: Kung-Fu, Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiujitsu, Capoeira, Karate, Judo, Mixed Martial Arts/MMA, Aikido, Jujutsu, Boxing/Kickboxing, Silat, Tae Kwon Do, Kettlebells, and Soft Style Arts. We are open six days a week, and we offer several flexible program options.

We have 3 distinct training floors, a full boxing ring, a full MMA cage, private shower rooms, lockers, a full gym with cardio and weight machines, and free weights.

4worldlovers: Thornton Martial Arts and Fitness officially came to life in 2011. Kru Ed Thornton took over Sityodtong CT, a section subleased from New England MMA. From there, Kru took the Thornton Martial Arts and Fitness operation to Park St. in Hartford one year later. TMA was operating out of Park St. for two years, until moving to its current location in East Hartford in 2014.

Thornton Martial Arts and Fitness is the only school in the state of Connecticut allowed to hold the official affiliation with Sityodtong. Kru Ed is a student of Kru Mark DellaGrotte, who is the owner & operator of Sityodtong USA. Kru Mark is known and respected worldwide for his ability to teach and adapt Muay Thai for Mixed Martial Arts. He is also known for his work as a trainer and corner man, and for his ability to create a strategy based on the weaknesses of his student’s opponents. Kru Yodtong, founder of Sityodtong Thailand, appointed Mark to teach, conserve, and promote Thai style boxing. Kru Yodtong was known throughout the world for his ability to teach, preserve and promote the original ancient art of Muay Thai. The first Doctor of Muay Thai, appointed by the kingdom of Thailand, placed his efforts on globalizing Muay Thai and bringing the bounty of Thai culture to the rest of the world.

Today, Kru Mark is known as Kru Yodtong’s top representative worldwide and is recognized as an international conservator of Thai style boxing. In 2011, Kru Ed Thornton tested for his instructor rank in Muay Thai under Kru DellaGrotte and continues to accumulate rank in the style of Muay Thai. Kru Ed Thornton has competed many times in amateur Muay Thai fights, has competed in MMA bouts, and has cornered many of his students in competition.

The USA Branch of Sityodtong offers quality training and instruction, ranging from self-defense, to physical fitness, to sport. We are dedicated to providing you with the quality educational services you deserve, and helping you develop physical fitness, self-confidence and mental well-being. You can learn more about Sityodtong USA at https://sityodtong.com/about-us/ (Be sure to check out this video, it features TMA’s own Kru Ed!)

Provide students an outlet to learn, improve and evolve in Martial Arts.

Train all our members to be able to compete, whether or not they choose to, is their decision.

Instill in our members responsibility, respect, and a passion to better themselves.

4worldlovers: Learn authentic Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in a fun and safe environment. Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy Connecticut is a clean, professional gym offering classes for both kids and adults. Expand your horizons and get in the best shape of your life.

Included with unlimited adult membership, but can also be purchased separately.


Discounts available for families, active military, and first responders (fire/police/EMT).

For more information about free trial and drop-in eligibility, please see our Free Trials & Drop-Ins page.

"The big, strong, tough guy goes to class, and he keeps getting tapped by the skinny, technical guy. It begins to change him. It makes him humble. That's what Jiu Jitsu does to you. It makes you humble."

4worldlovers: The world is constantly changing and you need to be aware of the threats, and learn the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones. At Varasconi School of Self Defense, we teach Hamzy's Ketsu-Ka Karate, which is a unique blend of Karate, Jujitsu, Aikido, Savate and Judo.


We will teach you the skills to defend yourself and to be street smart in the modern world.


Not only can we teach you to protect yourself, but we also can help you get in shape as well. Increase your flexibility, stamina and strength now.

4worldlovers: Welcome to Avon Kempo & Aikido Academy, your best destination for martial arts training in Avon, CT . Our instructors can handle all your physical training needs in one place, ensuring that you only need to make one stop for the right equipment, facilities, and education. Our mission is to provide discipline and respect in conjunction with teaching practical self defense techniques and deescalating situations.