Home › California › Glendale › Fred Villari’s Studios of Self Defense Karate Kung Fu Jiu Jitsu
Fred Villari’s Studios of Self Defense Karate Kung Fu Jiu Jitsu
4.8 ★★★★★ 18 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Glendale, California
Part of Villari's Martial Arts
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
- Membership memberships around $149/mo — many dojos also offer a discounted first month and family plans, so ask about new-student rates
- 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
- 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 villariglendale.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 818-957-7544
Hours
| Monday | 12:30–8:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 12:30–8:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 12:30–8:30 pm |
| Thursday | 12:30–8:30 pm |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 9 am–1 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“On a side note, I also met the woman that I’m married to in a class at this school as well as having had 3 of my children go there.”
“There is sparring as well with equally ranked black belts.”
“As a woman, I think it’s important to learn self-defense and he focuses on this for me.”
“(The teens working toward their first degree black belts, by and large did tremendously well, and did us proud.”
“I came across Fred Villari’s Kempo Karate when I wanted to cross off martial arts off my bucket list and started with couple of friends in hopes of learning self-defense.”
Other martial arts here
“I came across Fred Villari’s Kempo Karate when I wanted to cross off martial arts off my bucket list and started with couple of friends in hopes of learning self-defense.”
What students say
“They each have different strengths and different needs, and master Heroian does a great job teaching them individually.”
“What made me stay was how the other classmates were so supportive and encouraging.”
“We did our forms and several other feats that created a team amongst those of us testing.”
“Halfway through the test, we went to the beach, and got to do our combinations in the waves, which was so welcome considering the sweat we all built up.”
“I came across Fred Villari’s Kempo Karate when I wanted to cross off martial arts off my bucket list and started with couple of friends in hopes of learning self-defense.”
“As a woman, I think it’s important to learn self-defense and he focuses on this for me.”
From the reviews
I came across Fred Villari’s Kempo Karate when I wanted to cross off martial arts off my bucket list and started with couple of friends in hopes of learning self-defense.
I am a credentialed teacher and hold a doctorate in education. I have been going to this studio for several years. I started back in 1997 when I witnessed my students who had been attending improve in their academics and classroom participation. Their self-esteem shot through the roof.
I tried all through my twenties and early thirties to find an exercise program that I would enjoy and would stick with. I tried the gym, aerobics and yoga but nothing stuck. I thought I had always wanted to learn karate so I finally went in to try it.
I have been taking lessons here from Master Armen for the better part of 17 years, since I was six years old. What I’ve learned here goes far beyond martial arts; he has taught me to be confident and strong, and to believe in myself. I cannot recommend this program strongly enough.
New to Karate? Start at Fred Villari’s Studios of Self Defense Karate Kung Fu Jiu Jitsu
Fred Villari’s Studios of Self Defense Karate Kung Fu Jiu Jitsu 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.
Your first Karate class at Fred Villari’s Studios of Self Defense Karate Kung Fu Jiu Jitsu
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.
More Karate dojos near Glendale
INTERNATIONAL KARATE ASSOCIATION, INC.
5 ★★★★★ 8 reviews
Z-Ultimate Self Defense Studios
5 ★★★★★ 26 reviews
Bejanian Martial Arts
4.9 ★★★★★ 148 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site