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Charlotte Martial Arts Academy

4.9 ★★★★★ 142 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Charlotte, North Carolina

Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Weapons / kobudo Competition team

Plan your first class

  • Free trial / intro class most dojos welcome new students with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
  • 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
  • Weapons / kobudo traditional weapons (kobudo) classes — kata with the bo, sai, and nunchaku, taught with control and discipline
  • 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 charlottemartialartsacademy.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (704) 333-4155

Hours

Monday 9 AM–8 PM
Tuesday 9 AM–8 PM
Wednesday 9 AM–8 PM
Thursday 9 AM–8 PM
Friday 9 AM–8 PM
Saturday 8 AM–3 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 Charlotte Martial Arts Academy, confirmed in students' own reviews and the dojo's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Karate 29 mentions

“They’ve guided my kids with patience, encouragement, and genuine care, always meeting them where they are and helping them grow into the best versions of themselves.”

All dojos that run kids karate →

🐉 Little Dragons 2 mentions

“Today my son graduated from The Little Dragons class and he loves every single day in Charlotte Martial Arts Academy.”

All dojos that run little dragons →

🛡️ Self-Defense 2 mentions

“Whether you are looking for mental focus of your children or self defense, this academy is the best.”

All dojos that run self-defense →

⚔️ Weapons (Kobudo)

All dojos that run weapons (kobudo) →

🌱 Beginners

“The instructors are incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about martial arts, creating a welcoming environment for all skill levels.”

All dojos that run beginners →

Other martial arts here

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

🥊 Kickboxing

“) They even offer family kickboxing and fitness classes so the whole family can join in.”

Other dojos that also teach kickboxing →

🛡️ Self-Defense 2 mentions

“Whether you are looking for mental focus of your children or self defense, this academy is the best.”

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 142 Google reviews — in their own words.

expert instruction from a great sensei 2 mentions

“Sensei and his staff are amazing!”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 3 mentions

“They pay such close attention to detail, mailing my daughter a card praising her for her hard work, sending her a congrats video via text after her first class!”

friendly, respectful dojo 15 mentions

“Charlotte Martial Arts Academy fosters a fun, challenging, friendly, martial arts learning experience as well as a Family-Friendly environment.”

strong technique, kata & fundamentals 2 mentions

“They pay such close attention to detail, mailing my daughter a card praising her for her hard work, sending her a congrats video via text after her first class!”

🧒 strong kids program 5 mentions

“All four of our children love going to classes and camps and are so proud of what they're accomplishing at CMAA.”

builds confidence, discipline & respect 32 mentions

“The growth we've seen in him goes far beyond the mat — the confidence, hard work, discipline, respect, and leadership he has developed will stay with him for the rest of his life.”

From the reviews

My son has been a member now for over 2 months as part of the Little Dragons. This has been an awesome experience! From the moment we started with the first complimentary class my son has loved every moment. There is a great focus on character development and discipline not just on martial arts.

★★★★★ — Daniel, Dec 2024

Charlotte Martial Arts Academy fosters a fun, challenging, friendly, martial arts learning experience as well as a Family-Friendly environment. Starting January 2013 my son "tried" martial arts. Now he is excelling as well as encouraging Mom and Dad to pursue our own Karate path. To quote Sensei ...

★★★★★ — Jim, Feb 2020

Sensei and coaches are amazing!! They are dedicated to teach everyone to be disciplined, respectful, and defend themselves upon any situation they would need. They strive to give their best to students. It’s amazing to see the growth of every individual that has come into the program.

★★★★★ — Marisela, Feb 2025

We love Charlotte Martial Arts Academy and have used them for camps and classes for the past 4-5 years, and now have two kids in their amazing After School program. Cannot recommend this studio enough. The owners are creative, thoughtful, professional, fun, genuine, caring, and so so good with children.

★★★★★ — Amelia, Mar 2020

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 142 reviews →

New to Karate? Start at Charlotte Martial Arts Academy

Charlotte Martial Arts Academy 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 Charlotte Martial Arts Academy

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 Charlotte Martial Arts Academy

3420 St Vardell Ln Ste e, Charlotte, NC28217

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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.