I sent a few friends there and one of them lost 20 pounds in a month and has kept it off the other…read moreis now about to have his second pro mma pro fight. I took the self defense class after a relationship because abusive and I didn't want fall victim to the hands of anyone else. The self defense class wasn't about beating up my attacker but stunning his enough for me to get away with my life.

We have 3 daughters taking classes here since January and I'm so impressed with how they teach each…read moreclass and skill. They have learned so much and the instructors are so patient and skilled. The fact that it is also affordable for our larger family is an extra blessing!

Our family began training with Columbia Self Defense in December of 2019. We initially started with…read morejust our older boys, but after seeing what they were learning, we enrolled our daughters in classes as well. When our oldest graduated to the adult class, my husband and I began training too. The skills we've acquired and friends we've made along the way have been priceless. Over the course of five years, we attended classes at all levels and can only say positive things about the gym and instructors. The instructors train each student on their own level, while pairing them with partners who will help them grow and keep them safe. Our daughter has developmental delays and ADHD, and they have been amazing with her! Safety is always a priority at the gym. Thank you, Shayne, Traci, and Joe, for all you have done and continue to do at Columbia Self Defense.

This is the best Jiu Jitsu school in the state of SC. I've trained at several schools over the…read morelast 20 years. Rigan Machado, Gerson Sanginitto, Henry Akins (Rickson Gracie's third black belt), Cindy Omatsu (the first woman outside of Brazil to earn her Black Belt in BJJ). The attraction for me is that this school is run and owned by a couple, two Black Belts, Danilo and Jessica Cherman. There aren't many women Black Belts in our area and to have the opportunity to train and learn from one was an opportunity I couldn't overlook. She is a legit accomplished, talented, loving, compassionate, fierce fighter. He is a brilliant knowledgeable grappler as well, recently winning double gold (his event and the open event) at the IBJJF Charleston Fall competition just a couple of weeks ago. The school has a mix of white belts from the Irmo area, and color belts from their school in Connecticut. They had a successful program in CT and a strong women's team. They've been open since January and in 10 months, less than a year, they won 1st place at the IBJJF Fall event in Charleston. This is an academy that anyone in the greater Columbia area should attend. If you're looking for a BJJ school, this one has it all - a great youth program, great adult classes, even a striking class. Classes are Monday through Saturday. I'm so grateful to have found this place, I could go on and on. A real gem of a BJJ school. Danilo and Jessica are great school owners and BJJ practitioners and instructors.

Amazing coaches! By far, the best Jiu Jitsu gym in the Columbia / Irmo / Lexington area. I've been…read morelearning Jiu Jitsu since 2012, moved around quite a bit due to my tenure in the Army, and have never had a Professor teach the way Professor Danilo teaches. He breaks the techniques down in ways that make it easier to grasp and understand. Jitsu Academy is truly a family environment also, my kids train also and have both made tremendous improvements with their techniques and game.

Very rude and disrespectful instructor... he abuses the fact that he can talk to you however he…read morewants once he's got your "non refundable fee. I'll spend my money elsewhere when I renew.

From the owner: We specialize in Concealed Weapons Permit Training Classes for the private citizen. We also offer…read moremulti-state concealed firearms permit training classes to include Florida and the highly sought after Utah non-resident concealed firearms permit. Instead of my Instructors and I listing our extensive list of credentials and achievements in teaching firearms training to thousands of civilians,both in law enforcement and private life as well as over 26 years teaching combat leaders in all light weapons of the Infantry, our primary concern is now about you and your family. The very BEST information I can offer you is for you to "ASK one of the persons who took our classes".

Awesome spot to learn some self-defense martial arts for all ages, young and old, the instructor is…read morefriendly and well versed in the styles he teaches, the space you train in is convenient and safety is a primary concern. Definitely the best option around if you're looking to begin training in martial arts or a long time practitioner looking for something new or continuing. Highly recommend giving it a shot if you're even slightly curious!

From the owner: The Dark Horse Eskrima Academy teaches unique forms of martial arts from Cebu Philippines and…read morevarious locations in and around Indonesia. The chief instructor has over 40 years of experience in a variety of martial art disciplines that include the aforementioned arts along with Chinese systems such as Praying Mantis and the Five animal style of Kung Fu. Why choose the Dark Horse Academy? The Dark Horse Academy focuses on practical self-defense where you fight as you train. Have you ever watched a martial arts tournament and saw martial artists demonstrating beautiful katas or forms and then watch them compete against an opponent and use none of the techniques displayed during the forms demonstrations? This is usually because the original applications of the techniques in the system have been lost over time and the instructors main focus is to teach forms and fighting as separate entities with no relationship between the two. The Dark Horse Martial Arts Academy differs in that what you learn in the forms and drills are exactly what you use in self-defense applications. This is because the arts of Southeast Asia maintain a strict tradition of fighting competencies which have been passed down successfully from teacher to student for over two thousand years. For more information visit our school at 1801 Gervais St. Columbia, SC 29201.

Tenisha was an excellent instructor answering all of our questions & concerns in our CWP class…read more She reviewed anything we were unsure about and was super patient with my group of 6 (which was only a portion of the class) in the shooting range. I would definitely recommend her to anyone interested in getting their CWP! Jackie Bech

KDA Karate is the absolute best Martial Arts school in Columbia. They offer Wing Chun, Dangsoodo,…read moreJapanese Sword, Taijutsu as well as a Ladies Martial Arts class. The instructors: Sifu Mosher, Dan Bernardo, Tina Lewis and Ryan Wineland are the most knowledgeable martial arts and self defense teachers in the area. The price is beyond fair and much lower then you would expect for the expert level of instruction. Also, there is no long term contracts, which is great. There are other schools in the area that offer these arts but don't waste your time. Especially if you're interested in Wing Chun. I can say without a doubt this is the only school offering quality Wing Chun instruction in the Columbia and Lexington area. Sifu Mosher is astounding. Dan Bernardo teaching Dangsoodo and Japanese Sword is a true old school martial artist who is beyond knowledgeable on the history and application of his art. Ryan Winleand's Taijutsu is beyond impressive in it's fluidity and effectiveness. I think he may actually be a ninja. Tina Lewis's will have any lady prepared for the fight and ready to go. Try it out. You won't be disappointed.

From the owner: We currently offer: Classical Dangsoodo "唐手道" - the Korean…read moreexpression of old school Okinawan Karate. It translates literally to "The Way of the Chinese Hand". Our head instructor is the Vice President of the Korea Dangsoodo Association, an international organization with schools all over the world. Wing Chun "詠春" - a concept-based Chinese martial art and form of self-defense utilising both striking and grappling while specialising in close-range combat. Most will recognize this art as the only art Bruce Lee formally studied. Iaido "居合道" - a Japanese sword art centering on the applications of drawing and cutting with the sword. We practice "koryu" or old school Iai rather than a modern style.