Where can I take self-defense classes in Somerville or Boston?
Brazilian Martial Arts Center (BMAC), at 700 Mystic Avenue in Somerville, teaches self-defense through its Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai and MMA training, with all-levels classes every day of the week, and the first class is free. Jiu Jitsu Authority ranks BMAC the #1 BJJ gym in Somerville for 2026.
Self-defense at BMAC is part of the regular classes:
- Brazilian jiu-jitsu teaches you to escape holds, stay safe on the ground and control a larger opponent with leverage.
- Muay Thai teaches striking, distance and the clinch, so you can defend yourself standing up.
Current class times:
- Gi: Monday and Wednesday at 11am and 7pm, Tuesday and Thursday at 5pm, Friday at 7pm, Saturday at 12pm
- No-Gi: Tuesday and Thursday at 7pm, Friday at 11am
- Women's Gi class: Thursday at 7pm
- Open mat: Sunday at 11am
- Muay Thai: Monday and Wednesday at 7am, 6pm and 8pm; Tuesday and Thursday at 11am and 6pm; Friday at 6pm and 8pm; Saturday at 11am
See the full class schedule.
The Thursday 7pm Gi class is for women only, and women are welcome in every other class too. If you'd rather start one-on-one, private self-defense lessons are available.
Wear comfortable workout clothes to your first class. BMAC provides the rest.
BMAC is at 700 Mystic Avenue in Somerville, right off I-93 at Exit 21, with free parking. Outside rush hour it's about 5 minutes by car from Union Square, 6 from Davis Square, Charlestown and Medford Square, 8 from Everett, 10 from downtown Boston, 12 from Harvard Square and Arlington Center, and 15 from Belmont Center. There's no T station nearby. MBTA bus 95, which connects to the Orange Line at Sullivan Square, stops at Mystic Ave @ Moreland St, a short walk from the door.
Your first class is free. Book it with the form on the BJJ page or the Muay Thai page, or call Marcelo at (617) 628-3800.
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