Gracie Barra Overland Park
“Best ju jit su place I've been to great instructors and they do a good job of letting us work with little risk of injury”
Best Self-Defense Classes in Overland Park, KS
15 schools listed · 6 in Overland Park · 10 open weekends · all 15 rated 4.5+
Data verified October 21, 2026
Marathon Mixed Martial Arts
“The coaches are fantastic and very approachable, and the classes are both fun and very educational.”
E3 Jiu-Jitsu
“While the class focused more on competition training, I had the opportunity to roll with the professor twice, which was a highlight.”
Chen Huixian Taijiquan
“Master chen is awesome, very skilled, kind and dedicated”
Martial Arts Institute North
“In addition, as a proud father—whom participated in classes alongside my kids and earned an intermediate belt-level, I lost 20 lbs and gained mid-life confidence (not “crisis” ;-) and great quality time with my kids!”
Mindful Defense
“I highly recommend his training if you want to learn how to take protect yourself.”
Short self-defense courses listed for Overland Park, KS are spread across the 15 cards on this page. Who each course is aimed at, where it runs and how often it repeats comes from the school itself, with ratings drawn from public reviews.
Area overview: Overland Park, KS
6 of the 15 schools we list are based in Overland Park; the other 9 serve Overland Park from towns including Kansas City, MO (18 mi), Olathe (7 mi) and Lenexa (8 mi). The schools on this page are rated from 4.5 to 5.0 across 900 reviews; 6 have 50 or more reviews. When students and parents rate these schools on specific qualities, they most often praise professionalism (88%), quality (84%) and communication (64%). The topics that come up most in reviews of the schools on this page are "knowledge" and "skills". 10 are open on Saturdays. Domain records put 10 websites of the schools on this page at ten or more years old; the oldest dates from 1999. 1 lists coupons or special offers. We have a website on file for all 15 of the schools on this page; 8 publish a contact page; 9 list a public email and 5 take bookings online. We count these figures across the schools on this page; distances are straight-line, and hours and prices change, so confirm the details with the school before you enroll.
How do I get a course outline from schools listed for Overland Park?
By email, and 9 of the 15 schools here publish an address. Write with the group you have in mind, the room you can offer and what worries the group, then ask for a plan of the session. A school that replies with a price and nothing else has told you something.
Bodyfit KC
“I have been here for about 5 months and I have the best gym experience in all of what they have to offer.”
Warriors Academy KC
“I have been training there for over 7 years and it been worth every minute and every penny!”
Book onlineBook
Brazil Academy
“I feel lucky to have found this gym and would recommend to anyone wanting to get in better shape, wanting to compete, or wanting to be able to defend yourself should the need arise.”
Book onlineBook
Kenukan Academy 拳友館
“It truly is a family with Sensei Travis Boggs and his wife, Destiny, leaving everyone feel cared for and that they are important to both them personally and to the dojo overall.”
Kansas City Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
“Jason is an exceptional teacher, and has a number of coaches that assist in the kids classes who are also skilled instructors.”
Ground Zero Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Self-Defense
“They offer many different approaches to self defense but the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu here is top notch!”
Ryushinkan
“Awesome instructors, very knowledgeable about the art and if you are looking for true self defense, this is the place to learn from...”
Japanese Karate Academy
“My son has been learning from Sensei Hileman for a few months now and we couldn't be happier.”
Lenexa Karate Academy
“Fantastic training for adults too - many black belts return to the 'open' classes to lead and instruct and guide new students.”
Why these companies made our list
Is this page useful? Yes
No
Is there anything wrong with this page?
