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Carolina Karate & Fitness Center

5 ★★★★★ 41 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Greenville, South Carolina

Karate dojo Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons Competition team

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 (ages 4–18) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Women's classes dedicated women's Karate classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
  • 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
  • Competition team a competition team for students who want to test themselves at kumite tournaments
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule carolinakarate.net — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 864-313-7646

Hours

Monday 4–9 pm
Tuesday 4–9 pm
Wednesday 3–8 pm
Thursday 4–9 pm
Friday 4–8 pm
Saturday 9 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 Carolina Karate & Fitness Center, confirmed in students' own reviews and the dojo's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Karate 26 mentions

“Sensei Hood and Senpai Zaylin are great with the kids and offer unique, but effective approaches to instruction.”

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🌱 Beginners 2 mentions

“It was my son's first time training with Sensei Hood and he was treated like he had been part of his family.”

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💪 Women's Karate

“I have been taking the women's self-defense class for a few months now and have loved the experience.”

All dojos that run women's karate →

👤 Private Lessons

“As parents, any time we've asked to meet with Sensei he's made time to schedule a one on one meeting to talk about my sons progress and areas he needs to work on developing.”

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🛡️ Self-Defense

“I have been taking the women's self-defense class for a few months now and have loved the experience.”

All dojos that run self-defense →

🥋 Adult Karate

“Not long ago my husband joined the adult classes and before long our new baby and myself should be right there with them.”

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Other martial arts here

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

🛡️ Self-Defense

“I have been taking the women's self-defense class for a few months now and have loved the experience.”

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 41 Google reviews — in their own words.

expert instruction from a great sensei 8 mentions

“Senpai Zaylin and Sensei Hood are amazing instructors whose patience and devotion have helped my daughters develop confidence and self esteem.”

friendly, respectful dojo 10 mentions

“It was my son's first time training with Sensei Hood and he was treated like he had been part of his family.”

🧒 strong kids program 5 mentions

“If you’re looking for a great sport that your daughter or son will truly love, stop by and check out this amazing dojo and the incredible staff they have working there.”

builds confidence, discipline & respect 12 mentions

“Senpai Zaylin and Sensei Hood are amazing instructors whose patience and devotion have helped my daughters develop confidence and self esteem.”

From the reviews

I can’t imagine a better karate experience than the one provided by Carolina Karate. The instructors are highly qualified and skilled, and care so much about the students. There is a generous instructor to student ratio. They know my child’s name and always ask him about his day.

★★★★★ — Erin, Nov 2023

The entire staff is great! Our family has been with Carolina Karate for two years now and we have enjoyed every second. It started with our son, then soon after our daughter saw how much fun the classes were and she decided to join.

★★★★★ — Ingridroberto, Aug 2012

I have been taking the women's self-defense class for a few months now and have loved the experience. Great work out and tips for how to stay safe and what to watch for. This is a great class for all skill levels. I continue to recommend it to friends!

★★★★★ — Suzanne, Jun 2023

The instructors are terrific with kids and very knowledgeable. Sensei Hood has been a great influence on both children.

★★★★★ — Matthew, Nov 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 41 reviews →

New to Karate? Start at Carolina Karate & Fitness Center

Carolina Karate & Fitness Center comes up as a beginner-friendly dojo — noted on their own site. 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.

See their beginner class info

Your first Karate class at Carolina Karate & Fitness Center

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 Carolina Karate & Fitness Center

2015 Laurens Rd, Greenville, SC29607

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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.