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East Coast Karate

5 ★★★★★ 20 Google reviews · Karate dojo in St James, New York

Karate dojo Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens

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 5–15) — 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 eastcoastkaratestjames.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (631) 862-1400

Hours

Monday 12–9 PM
Tuesday 12–9 PM
Wednesday 12–9 PM
Thursday 12–9 PM
Friday 12–9 PM
Saturday 10 AM–4 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 East Coast Karate, confirmed in students' own reviews and the dojo's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Karate 8 mentions

“My son has been taking classes here for over a year and it has really helped his confidence.”

All dojos that run kids karate →

Other martial arts here

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

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 20 Google reviews — in their own words.

expert instruction from a great sensei 4 mentions

“Sensei Gregg and Reid are amazing and patient with him.”

🧒 strong kids program 2 mentions

“My son loves going to class.”

From the reviews

My 4 year old has been taking classes for about a month now. I signed him up to work on listening. Sensei Gregg and Reid are amazing and patient with him. He tries to be silly but they reinforce the listening aspect. He enjoys going into class and looks forward to it.

★★★★★ — Marissa, Jul 2025

East Coast Karate is simply awesome! Sensei Greg, Sensei Reid, Sensei Gianna, Addison and their entire staff are professional, courteous and incredibly patient and kind to every student. Amazing people, amazing place! Thank you East Coast Karate!!

★★★★★ — Rob, Apr 2025

East Coast Karate is AMAZING!! The Senseis are so patient, kind, fun structured with the kids. Our son is timid and they take the time each week to make him feel welcome, included and make sure he understands the movements.

★★★★★ — Shayna, Jan 2025

My daughter started karate at ECK in August and she loves it! She sees some friends there from school and has even made new friends . The staff is wonderful and Greg is so good with the kids, helping them to have fun as they learn new skills. I’d recommend East Coast Karate to anyone!

★★★★★ — Stacey, Mar 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 20 reviews →

New to Karate? Start at East Coast Karate

East Coast Karate 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 East Coast 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 East Coast Karate

733 Middle Country Rd, St James, NY11780

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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.