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Gracie Ohio Jiu-Jitsu Academy
“With 7 fundamental classes a week taught by multiple black belts and tons of advanced classes and open mats this is the perfect place for both beginners and experienced Jiu Jitsu practitioners.”
Best Self-Defense Classes in Westerville, OH
24 schools listed · 5 in Westerville · 18 open weekends · 23 rated 4.5+
Data verified October 16, 2026
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Dragon E's Black Belt Academy
- Tae Kwon do
“The instruction is outstanding on every level, from technique, to "form" to board breaking and above all the respect that is instilled in each student – to not only respect their instructors and parents, but to respect their peers, the class and Tae ...”
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Columbus Self-Defense
- Information
- Strategies
- Confident
“Not only has it made me more confident in my fighting and self-defense capabilities, but it has also improved my overall energy level, balance, self-awareness, hand-eye coordination and reflexes just to name a few.”
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Apex Martial Arts
- Taekwondo
“Been going here for over 5 years and it has been one of the greatest experiences I've had.”
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Tamarack TKD Martial Arts Studio
“Working out martial arts with friends is where it is at”
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Endeavor Defense & Fitness
“The coaches there like AJ, Aaron and Dude are extremely knowledgeable and really make it a point to get to know your strengths and help you on your weaknesses.”
Short self-defense courses listed for Westerville, OH are spread across the 24 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: Westerville, OH
5 of the 24 schools we list are based in Westerville; the other 19 serve Westerville from towns including Columbus (10 mi), Gahanna (8 mi) and Reynoldsburg (14 mi). The schools on this page are rated from 4.0 to 5.0 across 864 reviews; 5 have 50 or more reviews and 23 are rated 4.5 or higher. When students and parents rate these schools on specific qualities, they most often praise professionalism (94%), quality (86%) and communication (75%). The topics that come up most in reviews of the schools on this page are "atmosphere", "knowledge" and "confidence". 17 are open on Saturdays and 5 on Sundays. 1 has a BBB rating of A or A+. 13 have ten or more years of experience, the longest 31 years. We have a website on file for 23 of the schools on this page; 18 publish a contact page; 17 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.
Do the schools on this page travel out to Westerville?
Many do. 5 of the 24 listed here sit in Westerville and the others are within 20 mi, which matters less in this category because the instructor usually comes to your room. Ask about travel before you rule out a school on the address alone.
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Ohio Combat Sports Academy
- Competitors
- Facility
- BJJ
“I will say that, of the HUNDREDS of gyms I have trained at, about three of those feel like home from the minute you walk in, The Ohio Combat Sports Academy is one of those gyms.”
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U A Jiu Jitsu
- Feel
- Self Defense
- Train
“I've been training for about three months and have been very happy with how encouraging, welcoming and helpful the instructors and other students have been.”
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Elevate Martial Arts
“I can't recommend this place enough, my child has grown so much during her time here and we look forward to helping her toward her goal of becoming a black belt.”
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Summit Martial Arts
- Knowledge
- Respect
- Self Confidence
“I didn't want to learn from an instructor who had a single black belt in experience or go to a shop that had windows full of swords and belts that specialised in recruiting kids.”
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Mat Lab Brazilian Jiujitsu
- Environment
- Train
- Skill
“I learned so much in my two classes there that I couldn't wait to get home to tell my son, who I started my Jiu Jitsu journey with about 2 years ago, all about it.”
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Dynamic Self Defense- New Albany
- Knowledge
- Skills
- Confidence
“The lessons not only include teaching how to defend oneself, but also how to recognize bullying and how to defuse a confrontation before needing to use the skills being taught in class.”
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Ruffhouse Jiu Jitsu Columbus
- Passion
- Environment
- Skill
“Classes run the gamut from self defense to sport/competition emphasis, early morning to later classes to suit your lifestyle, and also the kids classes are popular!”
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Western Lotus Athletics & Martial Club
- Train
- Environment
- Sifu
“A great place to learn wing chun instructor Reyes is an excellent teacher and very knowledgeable a great place to not only train but to also get in shape I highly recommend WLA.”
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Buckeye Self Defense
- Learning
- Class
- Knowledge
“Not just a one-trick venue, I like that the location also serves a jujitsu community and offer a more well-rounded martial discipline offering which I have used, Chris Larkin is a great teacher.”
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Budo Martial Arts Academy
- Confidence
- Environment
- Sensei
“They learned respect, discipline and how to treat others besides all the martial arts stuff - rolls, moves, weapons training and Japanese words to go with it.”
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Super System BJJ
- Train
- Jiu Jitsu
- Mat
“I had the chance recently to attend one of his classes and it's truly top notch jiu jitsu instructions.”
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The Kazoku Dojo
- Son
- Sensei
- To Learn
“These kids are getting it, they are learning, and I as a parent am very grateful that my boys are learning skills that will follow them for the rest of their lives.”
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Team Perry American Karate/Tkd
- Fun
- Discipline
- People
“Team Perry Karate is about learning Karate and so much more such as discipline, fitness, respect, honor, integrity and commitment; something that many of our young people desperately need in today's society.”
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Empower Martial Arts
- Krav
- Respect
- Healthy
“The staff took care of everything, from ordering the pizza and greeting guests, to even helping put trash in the garbage as my son unwrapped his presents.”
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Triple Threat Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
“Great coaching staff that makes learning fun”
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Notorious Jiu-Jitsu
- Learning
“James is a wonderful and careful instructor and his passion is evident in each of his classes.”
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Grove City Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy
- Muay Thai
- Competition
- Train
“If you're searching for a good place to train that is family friendly with morally upstanding leadership and true martial artists then look no further, this is the place for you!”
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4point Base BJJ
- Train
“Coach Mike is wonderful with the kids and does well at individualized instruction to meet the skill level and needs of each student while in a group setting.”
Self-Defense Training Services in Westerville, OH Cost Estimates
Minimum cost
$150
Maximum cost
$450
National Average
$230
Avg Per Hour Rates
$60
$200
$310
Typical price range is based on 276 cost profiles
Why these companies made our list
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