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Forged BJJ Krav Maga Self Defense Martial Arts Academy
4.9 ★★★★★ 154 Google reviews · Krav Maga school in Salem, Massachusetts
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 & teens Krav Maga classes for kids and teens — built around confidence, focus, and staying safe
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule forgedselfdefensesalem.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (978) 745-8511
Hours
| Monday | 2–8:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 11 AM–8:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 2–9 PM |
| Thursday | 11 AM–8:30 PM |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 9–11:30 AM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“And the kids classes are an absolute blast, not only teaching discipline, and mature social skills but doing so in a way that looks so fun I might be jealous.”
“I remember being so nervous when I started because I knew nothing, had never done any form of martial arts before, had a 3 month old at home and was extremely out of shape.”
“The adult classes are informative, but also clean and safe the environment shines and the people there are second to none.”
“So hooked and positive about the place that I brought my teen age son.”
“Highly recommend going here if your looking to improve your physical health, get in shape, or become a lot of comfortable using self defense should you ever need to.”
“Highly recommend going here if your looking to improve your physical health, get in shape, or become a lot of comfortable using self defense should you ever need to.”
Other martial arts here
“Christian has been with his journey with Forged BJJ Krava Mas Self Defense Martial Arts since 2020.”
“All of the coaches are amazing and I love how they combine Krav, BJJ, self defense and boxing!”
“Whether its BJJ, Krav, or Kickboxing, Forged offers a wide variety of classes.”
What students say
“They both love it and their coaches, Coach Jess and Coach Damien are amazing!”
“Forged is a welcoming, clean and safe environment for beginners as well as more advanced students.”
“This community is the greatest there is, and as anyone who’s gone for a solid amount of time would tell you, ‘family’ is the only accurate term for the people you’ll meet there”
“And my son has been going for 4+ years and has been a great way to get exercise.”
“He left with the same initial impression ,so now this is something we are both doing for individual defense and self-confidence, all while promoting some great family time!”
“Dennis, the owner, is truly skilled in his art and is able to break down techniques to help his students understand how to implement as well as the rational behind each move.”
From the reviews
I have been training at Forged for 9 years and have thoroughly enjoyed the journey. I highly recommend Forged as the place to learn, develop, and study martial arts. Whether its BJJ, Krav, or Kickboxing, Forged offers a wide variety of classes.
I’ve taken classes at forged for almost 10 years, and almost every second I look back on fondly as an experience I am incredibly grateful to have received. The instructors are beyond qualified; not just in the arts but In teaching them; breaking down and presenting information.
If you want to learn, improve, being a better version of yourself, this is the place where you need to train. Coach Dennis is one of this special trainer. This rare to find a gym like this. So go, try, stay and smile. The entire crew who works there is awesome. 🙏
Forged Self Defense Academy has been a life changer for me. I went through a brutal change in my life a few months ago and this class has helped me so much to cope with such an extremely difficult time.
New to Krav Maga? Start at Forged BJJ Krav Maga Self Defense Martial Arts Academy
Forged BJJ Krav Maga Self Defense Martial Arts Academy comes up as a beginner-friendly school, going by their listing and students’ reviews. If you've never thrown a punch or set foot in a self-defense class, 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 athletic to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and instructors scale the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard sparring — reputable schools build the fundamentals (stance, movement, and core self-defense techniques) over weeks, and controlled pressure-testing eases in gradually so every drill stays safe. Third, all levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or Level 1 class time so your first session is alongside others who are also just starting out. Most schools are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.
Your first Krav Maga class at Forged BJJ Krav Maga Self Defense Martial Arts Academy
Nervous about walking into a Krav Maga school for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good instructors 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 a few core techniques with a partner — controlled and at your own pace, not hard sparring. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: comfortable athletic clothes you can move in — there's no uniform or special gear you need to buy to get started. What to bring: water and a mouthguard if you have one — most schools have everything else you'll need for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call what to bring. Pressure-testing eases in gradually, once your fundamentals are solid — you won't be sparring hard on day one. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign in and meet the instructor. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.
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