HomeCaliforniaPoway › Poway Martial Arts | Kenpo Karate - Boxing - Muay Thai Kickboxing - MMA - Jiu Jitsu

Poway Martial Arts | Kenpo Karate - Boxing - Muay Thai Kickboxing - MMA - Jiu Jitsu

4.9 ★★★★★ 37 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Poway, California

Part of Kenpo / Kempo Karate

Karate dojo Free trial Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons Competition team

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
  • 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
  • Women's classes dedicated women's Karate classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
  • 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 powaymartialarts.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (858) 486-1003

Hours

Monday 12–9 PM
Tuesday 12–9 PM
Wednesday 12–9 PM
Thursday 12–9 PM
Friday 3–8 PM
Saturday 9 AM–3 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 Poway Martial Arts | Kenpo Karate - Boxing - Muay Thai Kickboxing - MMA - Jiu Jitsu, confirmed in students' own reviews and the dojo's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Karate 16 mentions

“We decided to get my grandson who is 5 years old into some kind of activity after school so we chose Poway Kempo Karate .”

All dojos that run kids karate →

🛡️ Self-Defense

“If you want to learn some useful self defense skills and don't mind getting real sweaty in the process - this is the place to be!”

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 Poway Martial Arts | Kenpo Karate - Boxing - Muay Thai Kickboxing - MMA - Jiu Jitsu — mined from their reviews and the dojo's own info.

🥊 Kickboxing 2 mentions

“There is no better place to train for martial arts, kickboxing, and beyond.”

Other dojos that also teach kickboxing →

🏟️ MMA

“If your looking for a MMA/Karate to truly learn some good techniques or even kicking boxing fitness classes.”

Other dojos that also teach mma →

🛡️ Self-Defense

“If you want to learn some useful self defense skills and don't mind getting real sweaty in the process - this is the place to be!”

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 37 Google reviews — in their own words.

expert instruction from a great sensei 2 mentions

“This is an amazing gym, great instructors !”

friendly, respectful dojo 10 mentions

“Great gym able to balance competitive pursuits and professional aspirations with a family gym and self help atmosphere.”

strong technique, kata & fundamentals 3 mentions

“The instruction is consistently high‑quality, with a strong emphasis on technique, safety, and personal development.”

great workout & fitness 2 mentions

“The facilities are super clean and the equipment is in great shape and well maintained.”

🧒 strong kids program 2 mentions

“My son and daughter absolutely love it here!”

traditional style & affiliation 3 mentions

“We decided to get my grandson who is 5 years old into some kind of activity after school so we chose Poway Kempo Karate .”

From the reviews

I just started taking boxing lessons here a few months ago and I couldn't be any happier. The staff is excellent. The facilities are super clean and the equipment is in great shape and well maintained. Coach Jordan is an excellent boxing coach.

★★★★★ — John, May 2022

This gym is awesome! It’s a great place whether you want to get in shape, compete, or learn something new with your kids. The trainers are really helpful and Knowledgeable and everyone who works out here is friendly and supportive. I highly recommend it!

★★★★★ — Dave, Jun 2026

My son has been going here since February 2018. He has gained alot of knowledge and respect for other people. The staff is all very kind and they work well with the children and really get down on their level in a way that children understand.

★★★★★ — Krystal, Sep 2018

This is an amazing gym, great instructors ! The boxing and Muay thai classes are efficient, and I learn a lot. Hopefully plan to come back soon. The gym has plenty of boxing bags, and mats to train and exercise.

★★★★★ — Emma, Mar 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 37 reviews →

New to Karate? Start at Poway Martial Arts | Kenpo Karate - Boxing - Muay Thai Kickboxing - MMA - Jiu Jitsu

Poway Martial Arts | Kenpo Karate - Boxing - Muay Thai Kickboxing - MMA - Jiu Jitsu 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 Poway Martial Arts | Kenpo Karate - Boxing - Muay Thai Kickboxing - MMA - Jiu Jitsu

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 Poway Martial Arts | Kenpo Karate - Boxing - Muay Thai Kickboxing - MMA - Jiu Jitsu

13246 Poway Rd, Poway, CA92064

Get directions Instagram · Facebook

More Karate dojos near Poway

Ryukyu Japan Karate Do

4.6 ★★★★★ 9 reviews

12245 Poway Rd b, Poway, CA

Karate dojo Kids & teens Competition team active competition / tournament teamtraditional style & affiliationbuilds confidence, discipline & respect

1.4 miles away

San Diego Kyokushin Karate

5 ★★★★★ 19 reviews

12265 Scripps Poway Pkwy #110, Poway, CA

🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site

Karate dojo Free trial Beginners welcome Competition team Affiliated expert instruction from a great senseiwelcoming to beginnersfriendly, respectful dojo

1.9 miles away

Family Karate

4.9 ★★★★★ 22 reviews

12798 Rancho Peñasquitos Blvd, San Diego, CA

🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site

Karate dojo Free trial Kids & teens friendly, respectful dojostrong technique, kata & fundamentalsbuilds confidence, discipline & respect

3.8 miles away

All Karate dojos in Poway, CA →

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.