HomeMarylandAnnapolis › Kogen Dojo Self Defense Academy

Kogen Dojo Self Defense Academy

5 ★★★★★ 60 Google reviews · Kickboxing gym in Annapolis, Maryland

Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Cardio kickboxing Private lessons Competition team

Plan your first class

  • Free trial or intro class most gyms welcome new members with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
  • Beginner-friendly all fitness levels welcome, including total beginners — no experience needed, and you get in shape by training, not before
  • Cardio kickboxing classes high-energy cardio kickboxing on the bags and pads — a fun, sweaty workout built for fitness and weight loss, at your own pace
  • Kids & teen classes kids and teen kickboxing classes — built around confidence, focus, and fun
  • Private lessons one-on-one coaching available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
  • Sparring sparring and partner work for members who want it — always optional, eased in gradually, with the coach controlling the contact
  • Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves in the ring — amateur kickboxing, muay thai, or K-1
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule kogendojo.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 240-490-3352

Hours

Monday 5–8:30 pm
Tuesday 9–10:30 am, 5–6:30 pm
Wednesday 5–8:30 pm
Thursday 9–10:30 am, 5–6:30 pm
Friday 5:30–8 pm
Saturday 9:30 am–12:30 pm
Sunday Closed

Hours shift for holidays and class-schedule changes — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

Kickboxing classes on the schedule at Kogen Dojo Self Defense Academy, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Kickboxing 4 mentions

“They are really patient and make it fun for the kids but still teaching and mentoring!”

All gyms that run kids kickboxing →

🌱 Beginners 8 mentions

“They have a good selection of classes throughout the week and instruction available for all levels of skill from beginner to professional.”

All gyms that run beginners →

🤜 Sparring 2 mentions

All gyms that run sparring →

🏆 Competition Team 3 mentions

“I’m happy to represent this gym and anyone looking to learn authentic Muay Thai, whether it’s to get in shape, develop discipline, compete, or just learn a new skill.”

All gyms that run competition team →

🦵 Muay Thai 10 mentions

“Although I did not take any of their Muay Thai classes, a good friend of mine did and had nothing but good things to say.”

All gyms that run muay thai →

Other martial arts here

Kickboxing gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at Kogen Dojo Self Defense Academy — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🦵 Muay Thai 10 mentions

“Although I did not take any of their Muay Thai classes, a good friend of mine did and had nothing but good things to say.”

Other gyms that also teach muay thai →

🥋 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu 5 mentions

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Highly Recommend Kogen Dojo I’ve been training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for about eight months and travel frequently for work.”

Other gyms that also teach brazilian jiu-jitsu →

🛡️ Self-Defense

“Whether you’re local or you’re just passing through, I highly recommend Kogen Dojo Self Defense Academy!”

Other gyms that also teach self-defense →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the gym's own info — they show what members have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want muay thai, boxing, or MMA alongside your kickboxing, confirm the current schedule with the gym.

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 60 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, motivating coaching 2 mentions

“Coach Drew, Tommie, and Matt were all excellent coaches.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 14 mentions

“Doesn’t matter if you’ve been training for years or if it’s your first class, the instructors (as well as other more experienced students) will help you every step of the way.”

🎉 fun, high-energy classes 2 mentions

“all-around kogen has great energy that is fun and inviting to learn in.”

🏆 active competition / fight team 3 mentions

“I’m happy to represent this gym and anyone looking to learn authentic Muay Thai, whether it’s to get in shape, develop discipline, compete, or just learn a new skill.”

💗 welcoming to women 2 mentions

“The community is incredibly welcoming, and there are a good number of women who actively attend classes and fight (which is really cool).”

🧠 builds confidence & relieves stress 4 mentions

“My stand-up game and confidence has grown exponentially since I started training here and I would highly recommend them to anyone interested in picking up a martial art.”

From the reviews

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Highly Recommend Kogen Dojo I’ve been training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for about eight months and travel frequently for work. While in Annapolis this week for a conference, I found Kogen Dojo nearby and reached out to see if I could do a paid drop‑in class.

★★★★★ — Rollwithdadbjj, May 2026

Great school with highly passionate and professional instructors! Doesn’t matter if you’ve been training for years or if it’s your first class, the instructors (as well as other more experienced students) will help you every step of the way. The atmosphere itself is addictive!

★★★★★ — Jake, Oct 2022

The community is incredibly welcoming, and there are a good number of women who actively attend classes and fight (which is really cool). the environment fun and professional, the space is very clean and all of the coaches are very knowledgeable.

★★★★★ — Hannah, Aug 2023

Kogen Dojo isn't just a gym - it's a sanctuary for self-discovery and growth. Led by passionate instructors, every session is an opportunity to push boundaries and hone your skills. The supportive community fosters camaraderie and encouragement, making each training session feel like a step towards greatness.

★★★★★ — James, Mar 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 60 reviews →

New to kickboxing? Start at Kogen Dojo Self Defense Academy

Kogen Dojo Self Defense Academy comes up as a beginner-friendly gym — noted on their own site. If you've never thrown a punch or a kick, that's exactly who a good beginners class is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or coordinated to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and coaches scale every drill to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard sparring — reputable gyms build the basics (stance, footwork, and punches and kicks on pads and bags) first, and any contact eases in gradually under a coach's control. Third, all fitness levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or fundamentals class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out. Most gyms are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first kickboxing class at Kogen Dojo Self Defense Academy

Nervous about walking into a kickboxing gym for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good coaches expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling the basics — stance, footwork, and punches and kicks on pads or a heavy bag — not hard sparring. Go at your own pace and rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: comfortable athletic clothes you can move and sweat in, and supportive trainers. What to bring: water, and hand wraps and gloves if you have them — many gyms lend loaner gloves for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gloves and wraps (and shin guards once you start sparring). Sparring is optional and eases in gradually, once your basics are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the coach. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.

Kickboxing is a contact sport. Warm up, pace yourself, listen to your coaches, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find Kogen Dojo Self Defense Academy

1912 Forest Dr #2b, Annapolis, MD21401

Get directions Instagram · Facebook

More kickboxing gyms near Annapolis

RISE Fitness & Kickboxing

4.9 ★★★★★ 146 reviews

1927 Lincoln Dr, Annapolis, MD

Memberships around $46/mo

Kickboxing gym Beginners welcome Kids & teens Cardio kickboxing Private lessons Sparring expert, motivating coachingwelcoming to beginnersfun, high-energy classes

under a mile away

Annapolis Boxing

4.9 ★★★★★ 57 reviews

111 Chinquapin Round Rd Ste 114 Suite 114, Annapolis, MD

🥊 Free trial / intro class — check their site

Ages 12–17

Kickboxing gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Cardio kickboxing Sparring Competition team Affiliated expert, motivating coachingwelcoming to beginnersfun, high-energy classes

Boxing gym offering classes for different ages and skill levels in a space with a competition ring.

under a mile away

Team Randori Martial Arts

4.9 ★★★★★ 256 reviews

1989 West St, Annapolis, MD

Memberships around $200/mo

Kickboxing gym Beginners welcome Kids & teens Women's classes Sparring Competition team Affiliated welcoming to beginnersstrong kids programclean, well-equipped gym

under a mile away

All kickboxing gyms in Annapolis, MD →

Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this gym? Claim your listing — it's free.