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Blue Life Karate & Kickboxing Centers
4.6 ★★★★★ 49 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Maplewood, New Jersey
Affiliated dojo — reviews and the dojo's own info point to a recognized Karate style organization or franchise (think Shotokan/JKA, Kyokushin, Goju-Ryu, Isshinryu, Tiger Schulmann's or Villari's). If lineage matters to you, ask which style and organization the dojo belongs to, and under whom the head sensei earned their black belt.
Established in 1993, this local studio offers fitness & martial arts programs for adults & children.
Plan your first class
- Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
- Kids & youth classes kids and youth Karate classes — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- Private lessons private, one-on-one instruction available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
- Adult classes adult Karate classes — training built for grown-ups, from fitness and fundamentals to kumite (sparring) at your own pace
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule bluelifekarate.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 908-967-8132
Hours
| Monday | 5–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 4:30–8:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 5–8 pm |
| Thursday | 4:30–8:30 pm |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 8:30 am–1 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“My son is learning so quickly and Sensei Howard has gone above and beyond with private instruction and great accessibility during this difficult time.”
“They provide service not only for Children but for Adults.”
“All children at all levels are welcomed, I’m so grateful to have stumbled upon Blue Life Karate and to see my son become apart of the family there.”
“My son is learning so quickly and Sensei Howard has gone above and beyond with private instruction and great accessibility during this difficult time.”
“Black owned and a great environment to bring your kids to learn self defense.”
Other martial arts here
“I've been a Blue Life Karate/Kickboxing program student since July 2023.”
“Black owned and a great environment to bring your kids to learn self defense.”
What students say
“It's hard to describe within a review the importance of the inclusive, welcoming, supportive but disciplined community Sensei has built with his business.”
“All children at all levels are welcomed, I’m so grateful to have stumbled upon Blue Life Karate and to see my son become apart of the family there.”
“The Shihan and the rest of the Sensai explains in detail as to what are being taught.”
“After completing the program, I signed up for the kickboxing program and, thus far, have lost 23 pounds.”
“It's hard to describe within a review the importance of the inclusive, welcoming, supportive but disciplined community Sensei has built with his business.”
From the reviews
Black owned and a great environment to bring your kids to learn self defense. I bring my 5 year old son who's very hyperactive, and he's been able to fit in perfectly with the class, learning and growing.
My 9 yo son has been apart of the program for about 4+ months and we have committed to participate further. I am ecstatic to see him learning and developing through the program. Not only regarding Karate but also the discipline and respect.
my boys (ages 5 and 9) have only been going for a few months, but we love it! my older son took karate at a few places when we lived in NYC and it was a total fail. they focused on silly stuff like getting them to break a board but they didn't really learn anything.
I've been a Blue Life Karate/Kickboxing program student since July 2023. I joined the 16-week challenge program to lose weight and tone my body. After completing the program, I signed up for the kickboxing program and, thus far, have lost 23 pounds.
New to Karate? Start at Blue Life Karate & Kickboxing Centers
Blue Life Karate & Kickboxing Centers comes up as a beginner-friendly dojo, going by their listing and students’ reviews. If you've never thrown a punch or set foot in a dojo, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or flexible to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and the sensei scales the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard sparring — reputable dojos build fundamentals (stances, blocks, punches, and kicks) for weeks, and kumite (sparring) eases in gradually, with pads and control. Third, all levels and ages 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 dojos are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.
Your first Karate class at Blue Life Karate & Kickboxing Centers
Nervous about walking into a Karate dojo for the first time? Almost everyone is, and a good sensei expects beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling basic stances, blocks, punches, and kicks — not hard sparring. Step to the side whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: athletic wear you can move in (or a gi if you have one); you'll train barefoot. What to bring: water, and a mouthguard if you have one — many dojos lend a loaner gi for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gi and the belt your dojo awards you. Kumite (sparring) eases in gradually, once your fundamentals are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the sensei. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.
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