Self-Defense for Women in San Francisco
Real skills. Real training. Real confidence.
Not Just Strong—Top of Their Class.
At Forge, our leadership team includes some of the highest-ranked and most respected Krav Maga practitioners in San Francisco—who also happen to be women. Tosca, Kimberly, and Sydney bring cross-training in Muay Thai, boxing, kickboxing, and BJJ to every class they lead. They’re not just tough. They’re exceptional teachers, coaches, and fighters. Come train with some of the best in the Bay.
San Francisco. Inclusive. Real-World Ready.
In a diverse and fast-moving city like San Francisco, safety and empowerment shouldn’t feel exclusive. Around 40% of our students are women, ranging in age from 15 to 55. Whether you're stepping into your first martial arts class or you're ready to level up your skills, Forge is a place where women train hard, support one another, and learn from the best—without ego, judgment, or outdated norms.
The Most Common Question We Get:
“Will there be other women in class?”
Yes. Many. But here’s the bigger picture.
About 40% of our student body is women—and we see real value in women training together. There’s camaraderie, shared experience, and often a deeper sense of safety when learning something new. That said, we also keep our classes mixed by design.
Why? Because in real-world situations, it’s overwhelmingly likely that an attacker will be male—bigger, stronger, and more aggressive. You need to practice defending against that kind of pressure. At Forge, you’ll train with people of all sizes, skill levels, and intensity. That diversity matters. It prepares you to respond to real threats—not just theoretical ones.
Whether you're partnered with another woman or someone twice your size, our coaches ensure that the environment stays safe, controlled, and growth-focused. You’ll never be thrown in the deep end—but you will get stronger, sharper, and more confident each time you show up.
Why Women Train Self-Defense in San Francisco
Urban life demands preparation, not paranoia.
In 2023, nearly 1 in 5 women in the U.S. reported experiencing threats or physical harassment in public spaces. In San Francisco alone, incidents of assault and harassment remain higher for women, especially on public transit and at night. Learning self-defense isn’t about fear—it’s about readiness and confidence.
We focus on what matters most:
Situational awareness
De-escalation skills
Boundary-setting and assertiveness
Proven techniques to defend against grabs, holds, strikes, and weapon threats
Why Krav Maga Works for Women
You don’t need a black belt. You need proven fundamentals.
We love BJJ and Muay Thai. Many of our instructors train in both. But Krav Maga offers something different: a fast(er)-track approach to real-world self-defense. You won’t spend years working toward a belt before learning to protect yourself. Our system teaches practical, high-impact skills from Day 1—focused on survival, not sport.
Class Structure & Levels
Because clarity, progress, and leadership matter.
Forge isn’t a free-for-all. We believe that women thrive in training environments where expectations are clear, growth is measurable, and instructors are deeply invested in your progress—not just your effort.
The typical Forge Krav Maga class follows a (relatively) consistent format designed to build skill under pressure:
Warm-up
Conditioning
Footwork
Striking
Technique instruction and partner practice
Stress drills or scenario training
Recap + Q&A
This structure isn’t just efficient—it’s empowering. It allows our senior instructors, including Sydney, Kimberly, and Tosca, to lead with purpose and coach with precision. It gives students—especially those new to martial arts—a way to measure progress, build trust in themselves, and advance confidently.
As you grow, you’ll level up through our curriculum (P1 through G5), unlocking access to higher-level classes and full sparring. You’ll always know what you’re learning, why it matters, and how it fits into your self-defense or martial arts journey.
Bonus Skills—Striking, Weapons, and Workshops
Not just Krav. Forge builds confidence and real-life readiness.
Forge members have access to a range of training that goes beyond just self-defense techniques. We offer:
Boxing – Focused on timing, footwork, and hand speed
Kickboxing – Powerful full-body striking, cardio, and conditioning
Pekiti Tirsia Kali (PTK) – Filipino stick and knife training, ideal for anyone carrying a blade, Kubotan, or similar EDC tool
Workshops & Seminars – Including system-specific training and women’s self-defense workshops offered throughout the year
This kind of training supports more than just technique. Many drills are designed to build attributes: power, coordination, decision-making under stress, and movement confidence. That may not always feel “combat specific” in the moment—but attribute building is a big part of what makes our students feel stronger, safer, and more capable in the real world.
Try It for Yourself
You won’t know until you train.
We offer two trial classes for $30. That’s all it takes to start building the skills and mindset that change how you walk through the world.
Want to train with a female instructor? Check our class schedule to see who’s teaching. Sydney, Tosca, and Kimberly each lead classes throughout the week—just choose one that fits your schedule and sign up.