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Charleston Self Defense - West Ashley
5 ★★★★★ 24 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Charleston, South Carolina
Plan your first class
- Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
- Kids & youth classes kids and youth BJJ classes — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule charlestonselfdefense.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (843) 996-8498
Hours
| Monday | 5–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 5–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 5–9 PM |
| Thursday | 5–9 PM |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 1–4 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“Absolutely love Charleston Selfdefense Martial Arts Studio!”
“Felt supported as a beginner and genuinely welcomed into the community.”
Other martial arts here
“Their Judo program is why I come but there are so many amazing programs and highly credentialed instructors.”
What members say
“The owners, Rob and Lisa, do a great job creating a welcoming atmosphere.”
“we have come to think of this place as an extended part of our family,and have made so much personal growth here!”
“I was always getting submitted in my previous school, but a technique taught here truly changed my view, i was able to submit higher belts in India.”
“Very clean and well kept facility with amazing staff.”
“This is just an amazing self defense class for women.”
From the reviews
Wow this place is going to be epic! The premier sports location for the Charleston Area! Their Judo program is why I come but there are so many amazing programs and highly credentialed instructors.
This is just an amazing self defense class for women. The instructors were well prepared and knowledgeable. The tips and demonstrations are very useful for me. I will likely attend more advanced classes in order to learn new techniques.
Amazing school. What makes unique is they go both Judo and jiu Jiutsu as both are equally important. I was there for 2 months and truly enjoyed. I didn't even realise how much better I was in jiu Jiutsu till I went out and applied it.
Absolutely love Charleston Selfdefense Martial Arts Studio! The instructors are highly skilled, patient, and truly care about each student's progress. The classes are well-structured, with a perfect balance of technique, fitness, and practical self-defense skills.
New to BJJ? Start at Charleston Self Defense - West Ashley
Charleston Self Defense - West Ashley comes up as a beginner-friendly gym — noted on their own site. If you've never rolled or set foot on a mat, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or flexible to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and coaches scale the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard rolling — reputable gyms build fundamentals (positions, escapes, and basic submissions) for weeks, live rolling eases in gradually, and tapping early keeps every roll safe. Third, all levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or fundamentals class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out, and leave your ego at the door. Most gyms are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.
Your first BJJ class at Charleston Self Defense - West Ashley
Nervous about walking into a BJJ gym for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good coaches expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling basic positions and escapes with a partner — not hard sparring. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: athletic wear you can move in (or a gi if you have one); you'll train barefoot on the mats. What to bring: water and a mouthguard if you have one — many gyms lend a loaner gi for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gi (or a rashguard and shorts for no-gi) and a mouthguard. Live rolling eases in gradually, once your fundamentals are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the coach. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.
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