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Greenwich Kempo

5 ★★★★★ 41 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Riverside, Connecticut

Part of Kenpo / Kempo Karate

Karate dojo Free trial Affiliated Kids & teens Private lessons Weapons / kobudo

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
  • Kids & youth classes kids and youth Karate classes (ages 3–18) — 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
  • 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
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule legacymartialartsgreenwich.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (203) 529-5823

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 9 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 Greenwich Kempo, confirmed in students' own reviews and the dojo's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Karate 19 mentions

“Chief Instructor Sensei Simon has the perfect balance of force and grace, skill and silliness, the ability to teach a solid class and connect to the children.”

All dojos that run kids karate →

👤 Private Lessons

“They cater to each child's individual needs and somehow are able to give each student the proper one on one attention they need to excel even in large classes.”

All dojos that run private lessons →

🛡️ Self-Defense

“Our decision to join was inspired by our desire to learn self-defense techniques and improve physical fitness.”

All dojos that run self-defense →

⚔️ Weapons (Kobudo)

All dojos that run weapons (kobudo) →

Other martial arts here

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

🛡️ Self-Defense

“Our decision to join was inspired by our desire to learn self-defense techniques and improve physical fitness.”

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 41 Google reviews — in their own words.

expert instruction from a great sensei 3 mentions

“Sensei Simon one of the greatest instructors I have ever seen and he is always aware of student's individual needs.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 3 mentions

“Instructions were very clear and helpful as this was my first time doing Tai Chi.”

friendly, respectful dojo 8 mentions

“When Mason was struggling with following directions at home, the Sensei Simon spoke with him and provided support and strategies to help our family.”

strong technique, kata & fundamentals 2 mentions

“Our decision to join was inspired by our desire to learn self-defense techniques and improve physical fitness.”

🧒 strong kids program 4 mentions

“While I can only speak to the experience for my son, age 6, he loves it and I can see that it is bringing positive impact to his life.”

traditional style & affiliation 11 mentions

“The senseis at Kempo are able to keep the kids focused and serious during class, while also allowing for time at the end for games and exercise.”

From the reviews

We recently joined Greenwich Kempo, a martial arts school located in the heart of our town. Our decision to join was inspired by our desire to learn self-defense techniques and improve physical fitness.

★★★★★ — Aneela, Oct 2023

Chief Instructor Sensei Simon has the perfect balance of force and grace, skill and silliness, the ability to teach a solid class and connect to the children. I chose this dojo after stopping in to chat with Sensei Simon and found the combination of his intelligence, humor, deep love for the martial arts and his…

★★★★★ — Anitra, Mar 2017

My daughter started at Kempo Academy when she was 4. I have watched her grow in discipline, skill, poise, and awareness. She loves her classes and attended the karate camp last summer. When she received her purple belt, I decided I would give it a try.

★★★★★ — Ryan, May 2016

Greenwich Kempo has been integral in helping my kids learn and grow both as martial artists but also as people. My kids are learning compassion, strength, honesty, discipline, and confidence. All three senseis bring a balance to the dojo that helps kids find a home here.

★★★★★ — Katie, Oct 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 41 reviews →

Your first Karate class at Greenwich Kempo

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 Greenwich Kempo

1156 E Putnam Ave, Riverside, CT06878

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.