Knowing how to defend yourself is one of those abilities you hope you never need, but it’s smart to be prepared just in case. The steep price of many self-defense programs can make people postpone training until they have more money — which often never happens.
Fortunately, there are numerous no-cost options for learning self-defense, both in-person and online.
Spending a few hours now could potentially protect you later. Below are several ways to locate free self-defense courses and resources:
Free Online Self-Defense Courses
Before exploring all the possibilities, it helps to get familiar with the fundamentals. Figuring out where to begin can feel overwhelming, but there are many free online self-defense classes you can take from the convenience of your phone or laptop. Here are some suggestions.
Situation Effective Protection System
The Situation Effective Protection System (SEPS) provides nine modules aimed at teaching self-defense to women in a variety of common scenarios, such as sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking, muggings and date-rape situations. SEPS recommends spending at least one week on each module to master the techniques so you’re ready for whatever situation arises.
Wallace Smedley Free Online Self-Defense Course
Wallace Smedley, a martial arts teacher in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, has produced a free video that demonstrates basic self-defense moves everyone should know. The video is available on his YouTube channel.
HowCast Self-Defense Tips
HowCast hosts a short video highlighting their top three self-defense tips, plus several clips demonstrating proper punching technique, how to use legs and feet for defense, and ways to mentally prepare for an attack. The videos can be watched in any sequence and offer solid introductory guidance on self-defense basics.
Free Self-Defense Courses on Udemy
Udemy features close to 200,000 courses across many subjects, including self-defense. While most offerings on Udemy require payment, there are several free self-defense courses that don’t need a paid subscription. You’ll find content aimed at women as well as classes teaching advanced jiu-jitsu techniques.
Free In-Person Self-Defense Classes
If online lessons aren’t appealing, there are plenty of ways to find in-person self-defense instruction. A quick search for “self-defense classes near me” is a good starting point, but there are other avenues to discover local, free sessions. Here are several places to check.
Campus Safety Office
Many colleges provide free self-defense training through their campus safety departments. For instance, the University of Denver offers a variety of classes, including Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) and pepper spray defense.
If you’re enrolled in college, contact your school’s campus safety office to learn what they offer. If they don’t currently provide free self-defense classes, your inquiry might encourage them to start — it never hurts to ask!
Local Fire or Police Department
Some fire and police departments occasionally host free self-defense workshops as part of community outreach and safety initiatives.
For example, the Portland Police Bureau has trained more than 30,000 women, girls and members of the LGBTQ+ community since 1979 through its free program.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and many departments schedule classes around that time, so keep an eye out for offerings then.
Local Martial Arts Studios
Many martial arts schools run complimentary self-defense seminars that give an overview of how to protect yourself against an attacker.
For instance, FIT HIT in New York City hosts regular self-defense workshops for women, covering Krav Maga basics and presenting current statistics about sexual assault in Manhattan so participants can be better informed.
Attending a free seminar at a nearby martial arts studio also lets you decide if you’d like to continue with paid classes. Look on sites like Eventbrite and contact local studios to learn about upcoming events in your area.
Ohio-based contributor Lauren Brooks writes about personal finance, automobiles, pet care and lifestyle topics for Savinly. Former staff writer Kelly Smith contributed to this piece.
