Toronto Martial Arts

Learning martial arts and self-defence is not just for the athletic or strong-natured. This practice unleashes your unique potential as you build confidence & self-awareness while improving your physical and mental health.

We’ll equip you with tools to defend yourself in life-threatening situations so you can be confident in your everyday life. Like learning to swim, anyone can do it. Prioritize these skills, and experience freedom and confidence to enjoy your life without fear!

House of Combat is different from your typical martial arts school—from the way we run the business to the specific styles we teach. Here is what makes us different, and how to know if HOC is the right fit for you:

Direct from the source

We don't outsource your safety. Our founder, Joel Gelfand, is on the mats every single day, personally teaching over 90% of our classes. When you train here, you’re getting the direct benefit of Joel’s 40+ years of experience. You get the small nuances, the safety details, and the kind of deep knowledge that only comes from a lifetime of practice. You aren't just a name on a roster; you’re learning directly from the person who built this place.

Why We Teach Two Systems

People often ask why we specialize in both Krav Maga and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. It’s rare to find an instructor who holds a black belt in both, but we didn’t get here by accident. It’s all about one goal: building confidence in your daily life by learning how to protect it.

• Krav Maga is for the chaos of the real world. It answers the messy questions: What do you do when there are no rules? What if there’s a weapon or more than one person coming at you? It’s about standing your ground and doing whatever it takes to get home safe.

• Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is how you learn to handle a real physical struggle. It’s where you learn to stay calm when someone is trying to control you. Because BJJ is grappling-based, it allows us to train at full speed and test our skills without the risk of injury that comes from live striking. It teaches you to use leverage and logic instead of just relying on raw strength.

By putting them together, you get practical self-defence skills and the real-world confidence that comes from actually testing them in a safe environment.

The Room You Train In

Real training requires trust. You cannot learn to escape a chokehold if you are worried your partner is going to hurt you. That is why we are so protective of our culture.

We have curated a room of individuals who understand that we are training partners, not opponents. We don't tolerate egos, and we don't treat the gym like a fight club. We prioritize a structured and progressive curriculum with classes designed to develop beginners and more advanced students at a safe and sustainable pace. Because the goal isn't just to be “tough” today—it's to be healthy and capable ten years from now.