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Burris' Academy of Karate

5 ★★★★★ 8 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Gastonia, North Carolina

Karate dojo Kids & teens

Plan your first class

  • Kids & youth classes kids and youth Karate classes — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • 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 burris.academy — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 704-865-8947

Hours

Monday 5:30–7 pm
Tuesday 6–8 pm
Wednesday Closed
Thursday 6–8 pm
Friday Closed
Saturday 10 am–12 pm
Sunday Closed

Hours shift for holidays, belt tests, and seminars — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

Karate classes on the schedule at Burris' Academy of Karate, confirmed in students' own reviews and the dojo's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Karate 4 mentions

“From kids to older adults, there’s something you’ll take from this class and community each time to push you forward physically, mentally, and emotionally.”

All dojos that run kids karate →

🛡️ Self-Defense 2 mentions

“The teachers provide a safe, valuable, and encouraging space to learn karate, taekwondo, and self defense for students at all levels.”

All dojos that run self-defense →

Other martial arts here

Karate dojos are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else students mention training under the same roof at Burris' Academy of Karate — mined from their reviews and the dojo's own info.

🦵 Taekwondo 3 mentions

“The teachers provide a safe, valuable, and encouraging space to learn karate, taekwondo, and self defense for students at all levels.”

Other dojos that also teach taekwondo →

🛡️ Self-Defense 2 mentions

“The teachers provide a safe, valuable, and encouraging space to learn karate, taekwondo, and self defense for students at all levels.”

Other dojos that also teach self-defense →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the dojo's own info — they show what students have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want taekwondo, jiu-jitsu, or kickboxing alongside your Karate, confirm the current schedule with the dojo.

What students say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 8 Google reviews — in their own words.

builds confidence, discipline & respect 4 mentions

From the reviews

Great place to train in traditional Tae Kwon Do with a blend of karate added to it, also offer self defense classes and kids classes.

★★★★★ — Brandon, Aug 2018

A great, no nonsense, place to train in Taekwondo. Kids and adult classes. Belt ranks are earned not bought.

★★★★★ — Bobby, Sep 2019

I have been training with Mr. Burris for 25 years. Charles Burris is the epitome of excellence and integrity with nearly 60 years of experience doing what he loves, his classes are great for all ages ( especially children) helping everyone develop discipline,confidence, hard work ethic, and many other developmental…

★★★★★ — Brandon, Aug 2025

The teachers provide a safe, valuable, and encouraging space to learn karate, taekwondo, and self defense for students at all levels. From kids to older adults, there’s something you’ll take from this class and community each time to push you forward physically, mentally, and emotionally.

★★★★★ — Tia, May 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 8 reviews →

Your first Karate class at Burris' Academy of Karate

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.

Karate is a contact sport. Ease in, train within your limits, listen to your instructors, 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 Burris' Academy of Karate

251 W Main Ave, Gastonia, NC28052

Get directions

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