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Greenville Academy of Martial Arts

4.8 ★★★★★ 52 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Greenville, South Carolina

Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons 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 — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • 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 greenvilleacademy.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 864-270-2468

Hours

Monday 3:45–8:30 pm
Tuesday 3:45–8:45 pm
Wednesday 3:45–8:45 pm
Thursday 3:45–8:45 pm
Friday 3–8 pm
Saturday 9–11:45 am
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 Greenville Academy of Martial Arts, confirmed in students' own reviews and the dojo's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Karate 24 mentions

“My daughter has been attending GAMA for over a year and I just signed up to join her in the past month.”

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🌱 Beginners 4 mentions

“Very inviting environment as all students were welcoming, engaging and helpful for a first timer like myself.”

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👤 Private Lessons

“Had a private lesson with Sifu Jason and he’s very knowledgeable and knows what he’s talking about when it comes to JKD.”

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🛡️ Self-Defense 5 mentions

“Sifu Jason and Aaron not only teach practical self defense skills but also instill the importance of self integrity, honesty, hard work, and compassion toward others.”

All dojos that run self-defense →

Other martial arts here

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

🐉 Kung Fu 2 mentions

“Sifu Jason allowed me to attend the JKD and Wing Chun sessions a few weeks ago.”

Other dojos that also teach kung fu →

🛡️ Self-Defense 5 mentions

“Sifu Jason and Aaron not only teach practical self defense skills but also instill the importance of self integrity, honesty, hard work, and compassion toward others.”

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 52 Google reviews — in their own words.

expert instruction from a great sensei 4 mentions

“Sifu Jason is one of the most reputable and honest people I have ever had the privilege of knowing, he is not only a great teacher but a great man in every aspect of life.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 5 mentions

“But as soon as I walked in, literally every single person I interacted with was very relaxed, very nice, and VERY welcoming.”

friendly, respectful dojo 10 mentions

“From the time you walk into the door until after you leave you are not treated like a customer but like a member of the family.”

great workout & fitness 2 mentions

“I highly recommend Greenville Academy of martial arts to anyone who wants to learn self defense or even just get a good cardio workout in.”

🧒 strong kids program 2 mentions

“My daughter has thrived working with them and her self confidence has been amazing to witness.”

active competition / tournament team 4 mentions

“Moreover, they are affordable for bigger families and don’t make you waste money buying uniforms, tons of gear and entering competitions.”

From the reviews

We were introduced to this school by a Groupon deal. After the first visit we were sold. Our two kiddos, 11 and 7, are studying a unique and practical martial art in jeet kun do. The kid's sifu was trained by a direct student of Bruce Lee. That means my kids are only two generations removed from Bruce Lee.

★★★★★ — Dan, Oct 2018

Hands down the best dojo town! I am elated to have my boys under the direction of such awesome and knowledgeable Sifus. They not only teach the physical skills needed to become martial artists, but the life skills to become great members of society.

★★★★★ — Neci, Nov 2023

We love being part of the Greenville Academy family and think you will too. Reasons for you to consider attending a class are as follows. 1.) Highly knowledgeable instructors with an emphasis on open discussions and comprehensive instruction. 2.) Witty banter and puns are available at any given moment. 3.

★★★★★ — Shawn, Dec 2023

My athlete and I came to Greenville to compete at USA-NKF Karate National Championship Tournament. It was our first time in Greenville and we were hoping to find a dojo to train in to prepare for Nationals.

★★★★★ — Shawn, Jul 2017

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 52 reviews →

New to Karate? Start at Greenville Academy of Martial Arts

Greenville Academy of Martial Arts comes up as a beginner-friendly dojo, going by their listing and students’ reviews. 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.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first Karate class at Greenville Academy of Martial Arts

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 Greenville Academy of Martial Arts

872 Woodruff Rd, Greenville, SC29607

Get directions

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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.