HomeGeorgiaRinggold › Jessie Thornton's United Karate Studio

Jessie Thornton's United Karate Studio

4.7 ★★★★★ 31 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Ringgold, Georgia

Karate dojo Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens 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
  • 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 jessiethorntonunitedkarate.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (706) 965-8148

Hours

Monday 3–9 PM
Tuesday 11:30 AM–12:30 PM, 3–9 PM
Wednesday 3–9 PM
Thursday 11:30 AM–12:30 PM, 3–9 PM
Friday 3–8 PM
Saturday Closed
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 Jessie Thornton's United Karate Studio, confirmed in students' own reviews and the dojo's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Karate 11 mentions

“She also runs the Little Ranger program for the kids under 5 years of age.”

All dojos that run kids karate →

Teens

“He has always prayed for me when I needed it and has been there for me as a mentor through my teen years and I still look at him as a second dad.”

All dojos that run teens →

Other martial arts here

Karate dojos are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else students mention training under the same roof at Jessie Thornton's United Karate Studio — 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 31 Google reviews — in their own words.

friendly, respectful dojo 9 mentions

“It warmed my heart to know there’s still good people out there.”

builds confidence, discipline & respect 7 mentions

“I have been training with Mr Thornton for 3 years now, and the self confidence/ discipline I've learned in that time is fa- nominal.”

From the reviews

I have been training with Mr Thornton for 3 years now, and the self confidence/ discipline I've learned in that time is fa- nominal. Mr. Thornton is an amazing man, and like a father figure to me. He is truly an amazing man with a big heart that loves God with its whole ability.

★★★★★ — Cade, Dec 2020

I met Mr. Thornton over twenty-four years ago for an introduction class. He has always been an encouragement to my entire family and I. He has always prayed for me when I needed it and has been there for me as a mentor through my teen years and I still look at him as a second dad.

★★★★★ — Christopher, Sep 2021

We are so excited to start classes! Everyone was so friendly and encouraging! **Edited to add: It has been so wonderful to be a part of this family. We love it!** **3/14/24 Still a part of the UKS family and love it. If you are looking for a karate school, this is the place.**

★★★★★ — Heather, Mar 2024

Best karate studio I have ever experienced! There is a spirit of love and respect! Something that is very rare nowadays. Thanks for letting me be a part of your dojo(school).❤️❤️❤️

★★★★★ — Deborah, Mar 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 31 reviews →

New to Karate? Start at Jessie Thornton's United Karate Studio

Jessie Thornton's United Karate Studio 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 Jessie Thornton's United Karate Studio

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 Jessie Thornton's United Karate Studio

61 Tennessee St, Ringgold, GA30736

Get directions Facebook

More Karate dojos near Ringgold

Hurricane Creek Karate

5 ★★★★★ 1 reviews

615 Hurricane Creek Rd, Chattanooga, TN

Karate dojo

5.1 miles away

United Karate Studios

5 ★★★★★ 1 reviews

2734 Old Lafayette Rd, Fort Oglethorpe, GA

Ages 12+

Karate dojo Kids & teens Private lessons Weapons / kobudo Competition team Affiliated

8.8 miles away

United Karate Studio - Ft Oglethorpe

4.8 ★★★★★ 17 reviews

2736 Lafayette Rd, Fort Oglethorpe, GA

Ages 12+

Karate dojo Kids & teens Private lessons Weapons / kobudo Competition team Affiliated friendly, respectful dojostrong kids programbuilds confidence, discipline & respect

8.8 miles away

All Karate dojos in Ringgold, GA →

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.