I have known and trained with the head instructor Michael Tucker for more than ten years. He is highly qualified as a martial arts and defensive tactics instructor. He has real world experience and a great teaching style. On top of it all he is a great guy and he has an awesome much trusted company! Keep going! Get the training you deserve and want.

I have taken many classes with ACT Defense including Women’s Self Defense, Personal Protective Measures, Bujinkan Martial Arts, and pistol courses.The quality of training is incredible. The dedication the instructor has to maintaining high quality training by staying updated on new education as it comes out makes me feel secure that I’m getting the best possible training I can be.The environment is also very welcoming, with a great bunch of people to work with whenever I come in and train!Highly recommended!

Fantastic training at A.C. T. !!!I have participated in several training programs at A.C.T. and they have all been outstanding.During my time at A.CT., the Bujinkan Martial Arts program has been my core training but I have also participated in the Personal Protective Measures program, acted as an “attacker” in the Women’s Protective Measures Program, and also as an assistant at corporate self defense seminars.Highly recommended if you want quality training with an experienced teacher. No other self defense classes I’ve taken can compare. 5 star experience.Mitch

Ive trained with the A.C.T. Defense group many times over the last 12+ years, and in almost every program (Bujinkan martial arts, Personal protective measures, defensive pistol, etc.). Michael Tucker is one of the most qualified instructors I know, and spends countless hours increasing his own skill & knowledge in order pass on to anyone lucky enough to train with him. His approach to practical applications of self-defense is informed from decades of training, and learning from experts in their respective fields. There is simply no better place to learn self-defense skills in the greater Birmingham area.

I trained with A.C.T. Defense for a couple of years and have attended several of their seminars and events they have hosted over the years. Great place to train that takes a traditional martial art and teaches both the traditional and modern application of such and the difference.A.C.T. defense teaches its martial arts program in such a way that preserves the traditional Japanese art while still being able to bring the art into the modern day as a useful skillset in the modern world of self protection.One of these events is called person protective measures. Great 2 day course in responding to that sudden attack. Good hands on practical skills that focus on simple easy to remember principles. No flashy TV nonsense.Ive also taken a firearms course with A.C.T. before as well and it was a real eye opening experience and for sure made me a better defensive shooter and really helped me validate my gear selection.Over all I highly recommend!

I have been training Bujinkan martial arts and Personal Protective Measures with this group since 2014. This is a great self-defense-oriented, non-competitive training group, and Sensei Michael Tucker is knowledgeable about the art and always working to improve the real-world effectiveness of our training in it. It’s also helped me get in better shape, stay limber, and learn body control that is just generally helpful to everyday life. I’d recommend trying it out to anyone looking to start a new, or expand an old, training regimen.

I trained with Mike back in 2009 and 2010 in Bujinkan Martial Arts, Personal Protective Measures, and I assisted with a one-off self defense seminar he hosted. He is, without a doubt, one of the finest martial arts instructors I have had the pleasure of training with. Mike is a quiet professional, always looking to enhance his skillset and ask the hard questions. He always looks to find the gaps in his already considerable knowledge base, get the answers, and then pass those on to his students.If you want a system that works, train here. If you already train here, get back to it! If you dont train here, you are definitely missing out.

I have had the opportunity to train with Sensei Tucker and his students and find his skill, experience and no-nonsense approach to martial arts and self-defense to be informed and practical. He also has a real-world perspective and a good sense of humor.

The folks at ACT Defense are great to work with! Mike’s extensive knowledge, experience, and abilities are are amazing and effective! He’s an excellent teacher keeping the students engaged. I’ve trained with them in Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu as well as the several approaches to self-defense they teach including Personal Protective Measures. I was so impressed with Mike’s skills that I asked him to train me to be an instructor as well. I highly recommend this place and especially the people!

I joined to learn to protect myself and how to make my body move the way I wanted. I made great friends here and not only got a good workout but learned skills to protect my family

I started training in 2004 in another Budo Taijutsu group and joined ACT defense when it officially formed years later. It helped me deal with the stress of life in a positive way and changed my life for the better.

I have been training in the Bujinkan with Sensei Michael Tucker since 2011. While studying under him, I have participated in his personal protective measures course, defensive pistol training, and attended countless seminars over the years. The class sizes are always manageable, and I receive allot of individualized attention. The classes themselves are well organized with self defense being the key lesson taught.

I attended the Bujinkan Martial arts program at act defense for a short timeThough however short the experience was Awesome. Great people Very respectful and professional When youre there you just Feel like youre surrounded by family10 out of 10 I recommend this dojo Whether youre a novice Or more experienced martial artist Great place to train and make Life long friends.

Excellent training with a phenomenal instructor. The students are very friendly and welcoming and willing to help new folks get into the routine.Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu

As cliche as it sounds, I attribute a lot of my achievements to the mentality that Ive created in training here over the last 10+ years. This is an honest and down to earth group, filled with people that are good to have around beyond just training with in a dojo.

Sensei Mike is a great instructor with decades of experience in both the traditional Japanese martial art of Budo Taijutsu and in the self defense training that he teaches called Personal Protective Measures. He has trained hundreds of students in martial arts and self defense, giving them confidence in their own abilities to defend themselves as well as a sense of connection with an ancient Japanese warrior art. Sensei is a caring instructor with a tough-love, no-nonsense attitude. He will push you beyond your limits and you will not only love it, you will thrive in his classes. I give his teaching abilities and his class environment 5 stars!

I *highly* recommend this place.The teaching at ACT Defense is personal, at-your-own pace, and excellent quality. Youll be able to train with a variety of people and be taught what works best for YOU in a self-defense situation, regardless of size or ability. I learned a lot in the womens self-defense seminar and was relieved that I felt safe the whole time, and comfortable asking questions.Ive also attended the weekly Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu classes and really enjoy the unique blend between traditional Japanese martial arts and practical self-defense. Ive never seen anything quite like it! Fun, effective, and empowering. Theres a great community around the training, too.Thank you to everyone in the dojo for a great experience!

Incredible training here. Over the years Ive been fortunate to attend classes for Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu, Personal Protective Measures, Womens Protective Measures, and defensive pistol training. I felt welcomed immediately, and Im always so thankful that no one takes it easy on me just because Im a girl. Everyone treats their training partners well -- everyones there to learn and help each other learn. If you have questions or a different perspective to share, no problem. Great instructor, great students, great place for anyone to get some high quality defense training.

I have trained in Bujinkan Martial Arts for 10 years at A.C.T. Defense in Birmingham. During that time, Ive taken the Bujinkan budo taijutsu classes, and Ive also been a part of the other training programs, such as the self defense course, Personal Protective Measures and the firearms training course, Defensive Pistol. Ive also helped out with many Womens Protective Measures courses, which is a fantastic womens self defense class. A.C.T. Defense is one of the best dojos in the Birmingham and Hoover area and the self defense course offerings all offer practical skills for defending oneself. The budo taijutsu training also offers traditional Japanese martial arts training that is hard to beat! I highly recommend it!

A great place to learn about self-defense!