6 Empowering Self-Defence Classes For Women To Join In Singapore 2022

If one of your new year’s resolutions is to get fitter, why not try your hand at some of these female self-defence classes to feel both stronger and empowered in 2022!

Although we’re already one-quarter into the year, it’s never too late to start on your fitness journey. In fact, if we’re always waiting around for the ‘perfect’ time to begin training, we become more prone to procrastination and making excuses.

But what if we go a step further and combine fitness with practicality? Self-defence classes are a great alternative to the conventional HIIT and gym sessions, especially for females. Not only will these sessions help get a good sweat in, but also equip you with new skillsets to protect yourself against potential acts of harassment and aggression.

From functional to intensive to enjoyable all the same, here are some self-defence classes that’ll improve your health, abilities, and confidence in 2022.

• Kravist
• Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Singapore
• Gracie Academy Singapore
• The CoActive
• Kapap Academy
• Aikido Shinjukai

Kravist

Source: Kravist

With a vibrant community and even more dynamic classes, Kravist offers a wide range of group and private classes for participants of all ages. 

As its name suggests, this gym specialises in the art of Krav Maga, a self-defence and fighting system that focuses on realistic survival and leveraging the body’s natural defence mechanisms. 

These classes equip participants with both basic and advanced skills from fighting skills, grabs and weapon defences, and sparring. 

They also offer a special Women’s Class (1hr 15min) for ladies to gain the upper hand in self-defence. This class differs from others because of their emphasis on prevention, de-escalation and deterring tactics uniquely designed for females in mind. 

These techniques range from hair or body grabbing to assault and even abduction. Needless to say, you’ll definitely leave feeling more empowered than when you first entered.

Trial class: S$25
Per session: From S$35
Monthly packages: From S$260

Schedule

Address: 11 Irving Place, Tai Seng Point, #02-04, Singapore 369551 

Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Singapore

Source: Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Singapore

Well-loved with a strong, supportive community to boot, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Singapore is a martial arts studio that specialises in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). This studio is under The Pedro Sauer Jiu-Jitsu Association. 

Participants can expect to learn the science and theory behind both the self-defence and sports style that BJJ offers. 

Their women-only course teaches survival tactics for real-life crises that even complete novices can learn. Their instructors are well-organised and dedicated to teaching the best techniques curriculum to help you defend yourself in the face of danger.

Trial class: Free (1 week)
Per session: From S$50
Monthly packages: From S$250

Schedule

Address: Gracie Jiu-Jitsu 326C King George’s Avenue, King George’s Building, Singapore 208567
E-mail: oss@gjjsingapore.com
Tel: +65 8869 9042

Gracie Academy Singapore

Source: Gracie Academy Singapore

Although this is another certified BJJ training centre in Singapore, please don’t confuse this with the previous listing. Gracie Academy Singapore is another top BJJ studio in Singapore offering comprehensive training across the board, and it is affiliated with Gracie Academy HQ.

Their 15-part Women Empowered® programme is ideal for women of all ages and fitness prowess, and it covers neutralisation tactics for 20 common assault patterns like hair-grabbing or being pinned to the ground. Each lesson is one hour long and covers two techniques.

The programme is flexible and allows you to start at any time, depending on your availability. Upon successful completion, women can further test their newly-acquired skills and aptitude to be promoted to pink belt*.

Trial class: 5 free sessions
Per session: S$30
^Monthly membership: S$230

Schedule

Address: 197A Kitchener Road, Level 2, Singapore 208536

*The pink belt is a special belt outside the traditional belt grading system, and it was designed specifically for Women Empowered®.

^Women Empowered® can be found under the monthly membership rate. Enquire for more details.

The CoActive

Source: The CoActive Self Defense & Fitness

The next contender on our list is The CoActive, a multi-disciplinary martial arts school that offers a wide variety of classes. In fact, they run two types of self-defence classes: Krav Maga (all ages) and BJJ (18 years and older).

Skills covered in their Krav Maga classes include striking and countering, deflecting weapon attacks and ground techniques. Their BJJ classes concentrate on ground fighting and defence using grappling and takedown techniques for submission. 

Their Warrior Women class is a female-only self-defence class with a special focus on scenario-based training against larger assailants. In addition, having mental acuity and emotional assertiveness is vital in any conflict. Hence, lessons will also entail the importance of body language, verbal tactics and proper reactions to dangerous situations.

Trial class: Free
Monthly packages: From S$150 (Adult) | S$100 (Student)

Schedule

Address: 36 Craig Road, Singapore 089674
E-mail: info@thecoactive.space
Tel: +65 9781 8839 (Whatsapp)

Note: Trial classes are subject to the studio’s availability.

Kapap Academy

Source: Rock the Naked Truth

Calling all female beginners, this self-defence course is exactly what you need! Tapping on knowledge from psychology and bodyguard training, Kapap Academy is one of the most acclaimed self-defence studios to learn from.

Physical retaliation as self-defence is believed to be the last resort. Thus, classes reiterate the importance of the body’s biomechanics and relative positioning rather than relying purely on brute strength and force. You’ll even learn how to use improvised weapons on hand like umbrellas to fend off aggressors.

Classes span across Level 1 and Level 2 difficulties and go by a modular system. This means that you can start anytime and make up for classes when necessary. This flexible timetable is perfect for working ladies with a hectic or inconsistent schedule.

Book your slot using ClassPass today.

Schedule

Address
Tanjong Pagar / Raffles Place: 144 Robinson Road, Robinson Square, #05-01, Singapore 068908
Bugis: 8 Liang Seah Street, #02-01, Singapore 189029

E-mail: contact@kapapasia.com
Tel: +65 9027 6996

Aikido Shinjukai

Source: Aikido Shinjukai

For ladies looking to diversify their fitness repertoire in traditional martial arts, Aikido Shinjukai might be the solution for you.

Given the nature of Aikido itself, it’s more suited for females than males because of its philosophy — the Way of Harmony. Under this principle, the emphasis is removed from injuring others and instead redirected towards controlling aggression without inflicting harm.

At this dojo, women can attend a self-defence class that reinforces smooth, fluid and circular movements in response to opposing attacks. It teaches participants to ‘blend’ with an assailant’s force instead of aggressively facing it head-on. 

With over 55 dojo locations, their classes are incredibly accessible for anyone in Singapore.

Trial class: S$30
*Guest pass: From S$35
Per session: S$30
Monthly packages: From S$270

Schedule (ASK HQ)
Schedule (Other dojos)

Address: Multiple locations
E-mail: hq@aikidoshinjukai.com.sg
Tel: +65 6256 0111

Note: Guest pass prices are the only ones not limited to ASK HQ Dojo, Heartbeat@Bedok.

It’s time for us women to step up our A-game and be as self-reliant as possible. These self-defence classes will not only teach us to how to protect ourselves but also boost our self-esteem and confidence overall.

After all, in terms of female empowerment, there are few things that surpass women supporting women — other than financial independence. Score extra savings while being badass simultaneously when you pay with a cashback credit card today!

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