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5 Best Self-Defence and Krav Maga Classes in Singapore (2026)

Looking for self-defence or Krav Maga classes in Singapore? Compare five schools offering adult and women's classes, with how each describes its training.

By: Amir Wahab
Edited by: Amir Wahab
Published: 13 Oct 2026
Reading time: 4 min read

Self-Defence and Krav Maga Classes: a customer and a provider in a bright, modern setting

Practical self-defence is a different goal from competitive martial arts. Most adults and women who look for a class want to learn awareness, escapes from grabs and holds, and what to do when a situation turns physical, without committing to a fight career. This guide brings together five Singapore schools whose own websites describe that kind of training, from Krav Maga and Kapap to women's Brazilian jiu-jitsu and aikido. Each entry sticks to what the school itself publishes about its classes, so check schedules and trial details with the school directly. Visit a trial class where one is offered, compare teaching styles, and confirm that the pace and class size suit you before you commit.

1. Kravist

Kravist describes itself as the Singapore headquarters of Krav Maga Global, and its site sets out separate tracks for adults and for women. The adult programme runs as a Fundamentals class followed by an Open Class, with the site saying the first covers stance, footwork, distance, awareness and defences against grabs, pushes, punches and chokes, while the second moves into applied scenarios such as weapon defence and multiple attackers. Its Women's Division is presented as a women-only, female-instructor programme run as a fixed eight-week term in small groups, drawing on situations the school says women commonly face. The site says no women-only trial is offered, so newcomers try a mixed adult class first. Classes can be booked through its website or members app.

Tai Seng
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2. Kapap Academy Singapore

Kapap Academy presents itself as teaching realistic self-defence based on the Israeli Kapap system, with an emphasis on hand-to-hand skills and defending against weapons. Its Executives, Ladies and Youth Personal Protection Programme is described on its site as a modular course with no age limit, no fitness requirements and no prior martial arts background needed, so students say they can start at any point. The academy also lists programmes for children, seniors and corporate travel safety, alongside Brazilian jiu-jitsu and ladies Muay Thai. It names two training locations, one near Tanjong Pagar and Raffles Place and one near Bugis. The site gives an email address and phone number for enquiries rather than an online booking form.

Tanjong Pagar and Bugis
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3. Gracie Barra Singapore

Gracie Barra Singapore runs women-only Brazilian jiu-jitsu classes that its women's self-defence page presents as a route into self-protection. The page is candid that this is not purely situational self-defence, saying the focus is leverage, control and submissions, and that students learn to escape holds and deal with larger opponents. It lists weekday evening and Sunday morning sessions and says the classes are taught by an all-female coaching team. The page describes them as open to women and girls from age nine, with no experience required, for people who want a female-only environment, fitness or competition. A free trial is offered through the school's trial page. Check the current timetable on its website before visiting.

Central Singapore
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4. Fight Academy Singapore

Fight Academy lists Krav Maga among a broad timetable that also covers kickboxing, Kyokushin karate, Arnis, Brazilian jiu-jitsu and freestyle wrestling, which suits people who want self-defence training in a general martial arts gym. Its class page describes the Krav Maga session as self-defence for real-world situations, including armed and unarmed attackers and escaping holds, and labels its classes beginner friendly and open to all levels. The site also lists a martial arts programme for children and teens. Trial classes are booked through a button on its website, and it publishes an email address and WhatsApp contact for questions. The gym is based in the Joo Chiat area, and the site shows a 2025 copyright notice.

Joo Chiat
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5. Aikido Shinju-Kai

Aikido Shinju-Kai offers a dedicated Ladies Class, and its class page presents aikido as well suited to women who want to build confidence and learn to defend themselves. The page says the art uses soft, circular movement to deal with larger and stronger attackers and stresses mental strength and resolving conflict without violence. The school also lists adult, children, mixed, weapons and private classes, plus corporate sessions, so families can train in the same dojo. Its headquarters dojo is at a Thomson-area building, and the site points visitors to a separate schedule page and a trial class booking. It publishes a general email address and several phone numbers, with a 2026 copyright notice on its home page.

Thomson
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How to choose

Decide what you want from the class. Krav Maga and Kapap schools describe scenario-based training against grabs, chokes and weapons, while jiu-jitsu and aikido classes build control, leverage and movement. Read each school's own description, then pick the approach that matches whether you want street-oriented drills, grappling skills or a calmer, conflict-avoiding method.
Consider a women-only option if it would make you more comfortable. Several schools here describe separate women's classes, some taught by female instructors, while others use mixed classes with no women-only trial. Ask the school how its women's sessions differ from the mixed ones, and whether you can observe or trial before enrolling.
Ask how the class is structured. Some programmes run as fixed terms with set intakes, while others are modular and let students join at any point. Find out the typical class size, how beginners are handled alongside experienced students, and whether repeated practice of core techniques is built into every session or only occasionally.
Check what a trial involves and how it is booked. Schools describe trial classes in different ways, some through a website button and some by phone or email. Confirm the current timetable, what to wear and whether bookings are taken through an app, since details can change and the school's own site is the reliable source.
Look at the school's own claims with a critical eye. Self-defence training reduces risk but cannot guarantee outcomes, so be wary of promises of mastery in a few sessions. Ask instructors about their background, how they teach awareness and de-escalation, and how they keep partner drills safe, then trust your own comfort level.

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Published 13 Oct 2026. No changes recorded since.

About the author

Amir Wahab

Founder and Editor

Amir Wahab is the founder and editor of LocalRank, an independent Singapore rankings and local guides publication.

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