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MAT Fitness

5 ★★★★★ 61 Google reviews · Karate dojo in West Chester, Pennsylvania

Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons

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
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule wearematfitness.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (610) 989-7161

Hours

Monday 5–8 PM
Tuesday 11 AM–8:30 PM
Wednesday 5–8 PM
Thursday 11 AM–8:30 PM
Friday 7–8 PM
Saturday 8–11 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 MAT Fitness, confirmed in students' own reviews and the dojo's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Karate 11 mentions

“I felt comfortable getting back into kickboxing as it’s been years since having kids.”

All dojos that run kids karate →

🌱 Beginners 3 mentions

“The coaches are skilled, supportive, and make every class engaging, whether you're a beginner or experienced.”

All dojos that run beginners →

Teens

“I started MAT when i was younger being the first teenager in an adult kickboxing class, and at first i was nervous.”

All dojos that run teens →

👤 Private Lessons

“Ben, the instructor, has prior fighting experience, and will teach you the technique during class or during private lessons if you ask him to!”

All dojos that run private lessons →

Other martial arts here

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

🥋 Jiu-Jitsu 3 mentions

“MAT Fitness is the best for BJJ and kickboxing!”

Other dojos that also teach jiu-jitsu →

🥊 Kickboxing 18 mentions

“I have been going to kickboxing classes for about a year at Mat Fitness and it's been a great change to my health and lifestyle!”

Other dojos that also teach kickboxing →

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 61 Google reviews — in their own words.

expert instruction from a great sensei 8 mentions

“Ben is a great instructor who pushes you to be better, you can take the class at your own pace and really get the most out of it.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 10 mentions

“I only knew Ben the instructor/owner and I was a bit nervous, but everyone was so nice and welcoming that I immediately felt at ease.”

friendly, respectful dojo 14 mentions

“I only knew Ben the instructor/owner and I was a bit nervous, but everyone was so nice and welcoming that I immediately felt at ease.”

strong technique, kata & fundamentals 3 mentions

“Ben, the instructor, has prior fighting experience, and will teach you the technique during class or during private lessons if you ask him to!”

great workout & fitness 8 mentions

“If you're just looking for the cardio and strength workout, he has new and effective workouts planned for each class that always keep us on our toes!”

builds confidence, discipline & respect 9 mentions

“I’ve already built back most of my muscle that I lost, my skin has tightened up and I’ve gained my confidence back!”

From the reviews

My MAT experience has made me become stronger and an overall better person. I started MAT when i was younger being the first teenager in an adult kickboxing class, and at first i was nervous.

★★★★★ — Madison, Feb 2025

We began taking my son to Youth Kickboxing classes in November 2024. He wanted to try a new sport that allowed him to get his energy out as well as building discipline. Ben’s kickboxing is an excellent blend of learning the fundamentals of kickboxing with a high-energy cardio component.

★★★★★ — Kristen, Feb 2025

I been coming to the kickboxing classes since last May to get back into shape, and I could not have been happier coming here! Ben is awesome, and you can tell he sincerely cares about us on and off the mat. I would definitely recommend enrolling in a class ASAP! Thank you Ben!!

★★★★★ — Laron, Jan 2025

As a former patron of both the I Love Kickboxing and Title Boxing franchises, I have never once regretted my decision to join the Mat Fitness community when I moved to the area 3 years ago.

★★★★★ — Ashley, Apr 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 61 reviews →

New to Karate? Start at MAT Fitness

MAT Fitness 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 MAT Fitness

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 MAT Fitness

903 Boot Rd, West Chester, PA19380

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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.