Charleston Self Defense Academy
Get to know Charleston Self Defense Academy
About Charleston Self Defense Academy
in North Charleston
Our UNSTOPPABLE Mission:
Charleston Self Defense Academy is committed to inspiring and empowering you to reach your full potential.
Our focus is on bringing you the best martial arts lessons in the North Charleston area to give you the tools you need to defend yourself, maintain great health, and become the best version of yourself for a successful living.
Charleston Self Defense Academy has earned the reputation in North Charleston, as well as West Ashley, Goose Creek, North Charleston, Ladson, Hanahan, Moncks Corner, of being the top martial arts school for enriching our students’ lives and equipping them to face life with the winning edge.
Many people believe the martial arts are about just fighting, but our program is much, much more than that. When you train in our martial arts classes you take advantage of the best self-improvement system in the world.
Robert Gouthro and Lisa Capriotti, Owners
Lisa and I have been training martial arts together for almost 20 years and have traveled the world training and competing in judo and karate. We started Charleston Self Defense Academy with the goal of creating a place where anyone could experience the life changing benefits of martial arts and combat sports.
We are proud to have brought together a team of world class instructors and fitness coaches who share in common not only a high level of technical skill in their respective disciplines, but an unparalleled love of teaching.
We are proud to provide individualized, high quality programs that will get you in shape, build self-confidence, and transform you into the person you always dreamed you could be. Don’t settle on “attending a class” or “hitting the treadmill.” Join our community, have fun, and know that you have a team behind you.
Now, I proudly serve the North Charleston community and feel an overwhelming sense of pride and humility when I see our students grow into happier, healthier, more confident children, teens, and adults!
Owners
Robert Gouthro and Lisa Capriotti
I am the head Judo and Brazilian Jiujitsu Coach for Charleston Self Defense Academy. I have been training judo, Brazilian Jiu jitsu, and wrestling for over twenty years. In that time I was privileged to compete on the US World Team, won 9 medals on the judo world tour (including 2 Pan American Gold Medals), and was US national champion 5 times. Teaching judo and BJJ full time is my dream job and I look forward every day to sharing my knowledge and skills with my students! Whether you are a beginner just starting martial arts, or getting reading for international competition, I am looking forward to working with you.
Brad Bolen
Lead Judo and BJJ Coach
I have been training in boxing and other martial arts since I was 5 years old. My classes are high energy and pure motivation. My passion is training people in the “art of boxing,” which includes proper form, footwork, strategy, and mental resilience. Whether your goals are to get fit and lose weight, to learn how to defend yourself, or to become a professional fighter, you can achieve them in our program.
Othello "OC" Brown
Lead Boxing Coach
See the Results for Yourself
What people are saying about Charleston Self Defense Academy
KZ Russ
2020-11-11
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.
St Sebastian
2020-09-02
Best game in town for Boxing, Judo, BJJ and Wrestling. Also HIIT and Xtreme Hip Cardio step classes.
Manuel Valderrama
2020-07-04
Great gym, great instructors, so much fun and everyone is nice
Aaron Hawk
2019-09-17
I have known the instructor here for many years and I have a ton of respect for him. He teaches the best krav maga classes in the area. The gym is set up very well with lots of space to move and very safe and clean. I highly recommend them!
Felicity Patrick
2019-05-24
This place is great! Our daughter is doing the judo class and she loves it. The instructor is amazing and is great with the kids! Keep up the great work!
Jazimen Wiggins
2019-04-27
Great space and atmosphere me and my two kids and husband attended this gym we love gives us things to do outside 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
Sondra Urton
2019-02-04
These guys are awesome with children. My 4 year can't stop talking about her classes.
Crystal Urton
2019-02-02
My four year goes here! This place is just amazing! They are very good when it comes to the children! I love how great they work and teach the children exspecailly the younger children!! I'm very glad that I allowed my child to go this center! They are amazing people here!!
Moe G
2019-01-17
Great professional place!!!! So glad I found them!!!
Jenna Kpack
2019-01-03
The gym has some great instructors who are very knowledgeable about the programs they offer! The program that I favor is the kids and adult judo class. The instructors are all very well versed in what they teach and are versatile with the variety of age groups they work with (young children up to adults). They also make it feel more like a community than just a fitness/self defense class. It is nice seeing how they come together to teach the art and culture, and how to do things the right way to avoid injury. The only thing I dislike about the gym is that some classes aren’t consistent with the staff members. Even in those cases, they all are on the same page and very skilled. Otherwise it’s a pretty good gym! The owner knows just about every student’s name and makes a fairly welcoming atmosphere.
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