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Karate John's Martial Arts Center

5 ★★★★★ 271 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Cicero, New York

Karate dojo Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Weapons / kobudo 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 (ages 4–17) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • 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
  • Competition team a competition team for students who want to test themselves at kumite tournaments
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule karatejohns.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 315-699-1500

Hours

Monday 2–8 pm
Tuesday 2–8 pm
Wednesday 2–8 pm
Thursday 2–8 pm
Friday 2–8 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 Karate John's Martial Arts Center, confirmed in students' own reviews and the dojo's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Karate 33 mentions

“My son Logan has been going to Karate John's for over a year and a half and the skills he has learned have helped him both with his confidence and life skills in every day life.”

All dojos that run kids karate →

🐉 Little Dragons 2 mentions

“My little does the little dragon class and she has gained so much confidence and has found her voice.”

All dojos that run little dragons →

🌀 Kata (Forms)

“Ive been taking karate classes since 2021 and they have been amazing the instructors are so kind and they definitely helped me learn more trick and katas.”

All dojos that run kata (forms) →

🛡️ Self-Defense 6 mentions

“My son has improved on focus, and confidence as well as learning some self defense.”

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 Karate John's Martial Arts Center — mined from their reviews and the dojo's own info.

🛡️ Self-Defense 6 mentions

“My son has improved on focus, and confidence as well as learning some self defense.”

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 271 Google reviews — in their own words.

friendly, respectful dojo 10 mentions

“Karate John and everyone there has such a passion with what they do and make it such a warm and welcoming place to be!”

strong technique, kata & fundamentals 3 mentions

“Karate John and his staff are great with all ages and are able to to teach any age the fundamentals of karate.”

🧒 strong kids program 5 mentions

“It is well worth the investment into your kids and yourself. They learn respect , discipline, and of course self defense.”

builds confidence, discipline & respect 22 mentions

“My son Logan has been going to Karate John's for over a year and a half and the skills he has learned have helped him both with his confidence and life skills in every day life.”

From the reviews

Karate Johns is a great place to get your children established in some simple routines to show themselves and others respect as well as spreading nothing but encouragement towards these kids, teenagers and adults.

★★★★★ — J, Sep 2024

My grandson started a few months ago and WOW!! What a difference I have seen in his confidence and focusing abilities! He is so proud when he participates and learns! Karate John and everyone there has such a passion with what they do and make it such a warm and welcoming place to be!

★★★★★ — Kathy, May 2024

Ive been taking karate classes since 2021 and they have been amazing the instructors are so kind and they definitely helped me learn more trick and katas. I probably would have not learned cool stuff without karate.

★★★★★ — Eras, Feb 2025

My son Andrew goes to the Liverpool location and absolutely loves it. Karate John and the rest of his team are fantastic! Andrew has learned a lot and loves going to class. His enjoyment is why I started doing it as well. Whether you’re 4 or 40 something Karate John’s is the place to go!! Update.

★★★★★ — Nick, Oct 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 271 reviews →

New to Karate? Start at Karate John's Martial Arts Center

Karate John's Martial Arts Center 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.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first Karate class at Karate John's Martial Arts Center

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 Karate John's Martial Arts Center

5686 NY-31, Cicero, NY13039

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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.