Self defense school · Moncks Corner, SC · reviewed since 2015
iHow the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 64%81+51.5Reliability 28%76+21.5Replies to reviews 8%87+7.2Experts Score= 80Not enough data for value; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.80SCORE
AGradeiLetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20.
#20 of 21 martial arts schoolsiPosition by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. · better than 5%
4.8★★★★★50 Google reviews · 15 photos
92%five-star reviews
5%1–2★, last 20 reviewsiShare of 1–2★ reviews in the last 24 months — or the 20 newest reviews when the company had fewer than 20 in that time.
Charleston Self-Defense Academy & Martial Arts at a glance
Google reviewers rate the facility 4.8 out of 5 based on 50 reviews, with the owner responding to 42 percent of comments. Customers frequently praise the knowledgeable instructors, welcoming community atmosphere, and diverse class options for children and adults. Positive feedback highlights effective self-defense training, reasonable pricing, and a safe environment. However, one low-star review criticizes the business for scheduling errors that led to missed classes, while another alleges unethical contract practices.
Google rating: 4.8 out of 5 from 50 reviews (92% five-star).
Reviews on this page: 50 Google reviews (47 with written comments, 3 with photos).
Owner responses: the business replied to 42% of reviews.
Most recent review: September 10, 2025.
Service: Martial Arts School serving Moncks Corner, South Carolina.
Data from Google, last updated November 3, 2026.
Score profile vs other martial arts schools
Score per factor (100 = best)iEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (star average, share of 1–2★ reviews, price verdicts…); standing within the category can only raise it, never lower it.. Strongest: replies to reviews and satisfaction; weakest: reliability.
This companyMartial Arts Schools median0 = centre, 100 = best
SatisfactioniSatisfaction · 54% of the scoreRecency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.Charleston Self-Defense Academy & Martial Arts: 81/100 on this factor. Category median: 99.A
81
ReliabilityiReliability · 24% of the scoreHow rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.Charleston Self-Defense Academy & Martial Arts: 76/100 on this factor. Category median: 98.B
76
Craft & serviceiCraft & service · penalty only, up to −10 pointsGoogle review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Not enough reviews for this factor yet. Category median: 100.–
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ValueiValue · 14% of the scoreCustomers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Not enough reviews for this factor yet. Category median: 90.–
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MomentumiMomentum · penalty only, up to −10 pointsPenalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.Not enough reviews for this factor yet. Category median: 100.–
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Replies to reviewsiReplies to reviews · 7% of the scoreHow often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Charleston Self-Defense Academy & Martial Arts: 87/100 on this factor. Category median: 87.A
87
Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.
Star ratings
50 Google reviews we collected
4.8of 5
5 stars4692%
4 stars12%
3 stars12%
2 stars00%
1 star24%
Praise vs complaints
Phrases our text analysis found in 47 written reviews
91%praise
Praise3291%
Complaints39%
Topic share
How often each topic comes up in the written reviews
6topics
Staff & attitude1749%
Would recommend1131%
Price & value39%
Quality & results26%
Speed & response13%
Communication13%
What customers talk about
We read 47 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.
“They are patient and yet firm, pay careful attention to safety, and when you see them teach, it’s easy to tell that they have a heart for teaching kid…”
“…of work plus it’s a great workout for all of us we love this place I would recommend kids and adults to sign up ASAP…”
“My biggest tip about this place is to avoid at all costs.”
“Reasonably priced and flexible on your schedule.”
“Lisa and Rob have a really good crew and do a great job with the gym!”
“I have been there for 6ish months and learned more self defense than I can explain.”
People customers mention
Fit3 reviews
praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.
Recent reviews
RRyanLocal Guide · 17 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a year ago★★★★★
It’s going to be difficult to articulate how wonderful it has been to have Rob and Lisa teaching my son Judo. They are patient and yet firm, pay careful attention to safety, and when you see them teach, it’s easy to tell that they have a heart for teaching kids martial arts. If you’re looking for a martial arts…
MMelanie1 reviewiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a year ago★★★★★
Lisa was awesome. I brought my daughters before they studied abroad and she helped us with a family session on self defense. Great confidence builder and skills they can use forever. Thank you!
DDarius11 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a year ago★★★★★
I've attended this gym for a long time to do martial arts. I only have good things to say about the instructors and the management.
GGingerLocal Guide · 22 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a year ago★★★★★
Great martial art studio, instructors are very knowledgeable, the communities very welcoming and friendly. I learned a lot from one session! I can’t wait to be back!
CCraig7 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 3 years ago★★★★★
Judo, juijitsu, boxing, even tumbling.
A great place and far pricing. Every child that comes will feel welcomed and will be challenged. All the instructors are great with the kids and ensure everyone has fun. At this dojo you are not just another person, it is very personalized. Jill the tumbling instructor has a…
AAdrian1 reviewiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 3 years ago★★★★★
Highly recomended they let me train for a week for a decent price, the profesors were pretty good and the enviroment really friendly.
It’s going to be difficult to articulate how wonderful it has been to have Rob and Lisa teaching my son Judo. They are patient and yet firm, pay careful attention to safety, and when you see them teach, it’s easy to tell that they have a heart for teaching kids martial arts. If you’re looking for a martial arts place for your kid in the Charleston area, I cannot recommend Charleston Self Defense enough.
M
Melanie Stith1 reviewiTotal number of Google reviews Melanie has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Lisa was awesome. I brought my daughters before they studied abroad and she helped us with a family session on self defense. Great confidence builder and skills they can use forever. Thank you!
D
Darius Dash11 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Darius has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Great martial art studio, instructors are very knowledgeable, the communities very welcoming and friendly. I learned a lot from one session! I can’t wait to be back!
C
Craig Gleason7 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Craig has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Judo, juijitsu, boxing, even tumbling.
A great place and far pricing. Every child that comes will feel welcomed and will be challenged. All the instructors are great with the kids and ensure everyone has fun. At this dojo you are not just another person, it is very personalized. Jill the tumbling instructor has a lot of experience and my daughter loves working with her. Sensi Brad is the lead instructor and has a lot of techniques to keep the keeps engaged.
A
Adrian Clynes1 reviewiTotal number of Google reviews Adrian has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
My son has be training here for almost a year and loves it! I recently started training a month ago. The instructions are very knowledgeable and work great with kids and adults. When my son started he didn't have the courge to stand up for himself, now he does. He has gain confidence through training and tournaments. They teach the kids not to use their skills to start a fight, but how to defend themselves.
P
Peregrine SkyLocal Guide · 154 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Peregrine has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Schedule said there was a no go jiu jitsu class today 24th September@0800. I’m here 0800 there’s no one, lights are out. Disappointed, recommend updating your schedule and not wasting potential customers time.
Response from the owner · 4 years ago
I apologize for that oversight. We are bringing a new website online this week and you are correct that we failed to update our old website in the transition. If you would come in this week I'd like to offer you a free 1 month membership as an apology!
K
KZ RussLocal Guide · 30 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews KZ has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
I absolutely love this gym. It has such a homey and family friendly vibe; it's made me feel a lot less homesick after I moved here. I've done the boxing, judo, jujitsu, and self defense classes and I'm never disappointed. The instructors are all well spoken and very knowledgeable (both within the specific classes and in general questions regarding techniques and muscle development & pain management).
I love the idea that they had to use the day time as a child care/virtual schooling area and another thing that really stood out to me is the care that they take regarding safety in the kids classes. One specific example being how the instructor (Rob) was checking the technique on their falls and while doing the throw, it was both slow enough for the child's size and he also supported their head/neck throughout the movement then provided feedback on how they could improve.
Lisa and Rob have a really good crew and do a great job with the gym!
Covid: They do take temperatures and record them at the door. I've also seen them stream classes for some people that weren't comfortable coming in, though that may be something you have to ask for specifically. I'm not 100% sure.
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St SebastianLocal Guide · 17 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews St has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
