The Academy
Overview
Practical self-defence & krav maga training
The Defensive Fitness Academy (DFA) empowers everyday people with real-world self-defence, practical Krav Maga skills, and physical & mental conditioning, designed to increase personal safety and confidence.
We believe everyone should feel stronger, safer, and more confident moving through daily life.
Our training blends authentic self-defence techniques, functional fitness workouts, and situational awareness into a system built for real situations, not belts or trophies.
Whether you’re seeking the best self-defence classes available, or want to level up your fitness while learning how to protect yourself, Defensive Fitness delivers training that works when it matters most.
Philosophy
Real skills, real results
We teach practical self-defence, rooted in proven Krav Maga principles and pressure-tested drills.
Our self-defence programmes focus on:
- Effective self-defence techniques that are simple to learn
- Training for real-world scenarios, not rules or competition
- Building strength, agility, and resilience through functional fitness
- Improving situational awareness and personal safety skills
Our instructors strip away unnecessary complexity so you can retain and apply what you’ve learned, whether it’s defending against a physical threat or making confident choices under pressure.
Who we train
Inclusive & accessible
Our classes are suitable for adults of all levels, from beginners looking to build confidence to those seeking advanced self-protection skills.
We deliver:
- Adult self-defence classes
- A curriculum based on authentic Krav Maga techniques
- Functional fitness and strength conditioning
- Legally compliant solutions inline with UK law
- Women’s focused personal safety workshops
- Progressive skill development programmes
No prior martial arts experience is required, just the commitment to learn and improve.
Certification
nationally recognised
With no single UK regulator, it’s possible for anyone to put on a black belt and claim to be an instructor, with no real way for the public to discern the difference.
As the UK’s only independent, non-profit organisational body, the British Martial Arts and Boxing Association (BMABA) has been raising standards since 2012, holding instructors and clubs across the UK accountable to best practice, safeguarding and regulation.
The Defensive Fitness Academy is proud to be a BMABA Gold certified affiliated club, having been awarded its highest accreditation for outstanding governance and commitment to the professional standards as defined by the BMABA.
Have questions?
Check out our FAQ section for answers to common questions.
Or call us for a no-obligation chat: