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Elite Freestyle Karate

4.5 ★★★★★ 28 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Reading, Massachusetts

Karate dojo Free trial Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens

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.

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 — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule elitefreestylekarate.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 781-942-9898

Hours

Monday 12:30–9 pm
Tuesday 12:30–9 pm
Wednesday 12:30–9 pm
Thursday 12:30–9 pm
Friday Closed
Saturday 8 am–1 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 Elite Freestyle Karate, confirmed in students' own reviews and the dojo's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Karate 17 mentions

“They do a truly great job with kids, meeting them where they are at and helping them progress.”

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 Elite Freestyle 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 28 Google reviews — in their own words.

expert instruction from a great sensei 2 mentions

“The Sensei s are very kind, patient and create thoughtful lessons for the kids every week.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 4 mentions

“Our son started as a white belt and thanks to their patience, skill and teaching he has earned his first degree black belt.”

friendly, respectful dojo 3 mentions

“We can not say enough about how focused, supportive, skilled and positive the staff are, they are incredibly gifted teachers and all around warm, kind and wonderful people as well.”

strong technique, kata & fundamentals 2 mentions

“Very nice to see good attention to detail, I’ve learned a lot.”

builds confidence, discipline & respect 9 mentions

“We can not say enough about how focused, supportive, skilled and positive the staff are, they are incredibly gifted teachers and all around warm, kind and wonderful people as well.”

From the reviews

We have been blessed to have our son enrolled at Elite Freestyle for 8 years now, before, through and after Covid. We can not say enough about how focused, supportive, skilled and positive the staff are, they are incredibly gifted teachers and all around warm, kind and wonderful people as well.

★★★★★ — Elizabeth, Mar 2026

EFK has been a great place for my son who attends classes at the Reading dojo. Previously Sensei Sean and now under Sensei Jasmine’s leadership, the dojo staff has been exceptionally understanding, supportive, and accommodating of my son’s anxiety.

★★★★★ — Lindsay, Feb 2026

My son loves going to karate. It has done a world of difference for him. He has more confidence And some of his challenging behaviors, have stop . They not only teach karate they teach discipline respect and a lot more. I am very happy with his progress .

★★★★★ — Stephanie, Feb 2026

Our kindergartener has been at EFK for over a year and he absolutely loves it. We struggled to find him a sport that he enjoyed, but he immediately felt comfortable, challenged, and excited to keep going back to karate each week.

★★★★★ — Duncan, Feb 2026

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 28 reviews →

New to Karate? Start at Elite Freestyle Karate

Elite Freestyle 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 Elite Freestyle 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 Elite Freestyle Karate

46 Haven St, Reading, MA01867

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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.