HomeSouth CarolinaNorth Charleston › Premier Martial Arts - North Charleston

Premier Martial Arts - North Charleston

5 ★★★★★ 42 Google reviews · Karate dojo in North Charleston, South Carolina

Part of Premier Martial Arts

Free trial Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens 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 (ages 3–12) — 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 premiermartialarts.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 843-486-8432

Hours

Monday 2–9 pm
Tuesday 2–9 pm
Wednesday 3–9:15 pm
Thursday 2–9 pm
Friday 2–9 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 Premier Martial Arts - North Charleston, confirmed in students' own reviews and the dojo's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Karate 18 mentions

“My son has really enjoyed everything he's learned at PMA and carries those lessons with him in and outside of the dojo.”

All dojos that run kids karate →

🛡️ Self-Defense 2 mentions

“It’s built a good foundation for self defense and making them aware of potential dangers from attackers and how to defend themselves.”

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 Premier Martial Arts - North Charleston — mined from their reviews and the dojo's own info.

🛡️ Self-Defense 2 mentions

“It’s built a good foundation for self defense and making them aware of potential dangers from attackers and how to defend themselves.”

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 42 Google reviews — in their own words.

expert instruction from a great sensei 4 mentions

“Sensei Dion is the best instructor there is and is just like Jedi Master Yoda.”

friendly, respectful dojo 3 mentions

“Premier martial arts and Sensei Dion provide a nurturing respectful environment to teach martial arts and the discipline involved.”

strong technique, kata & fundamentals 2 mentions

“I love that he can learn new techniques while also learning how to show and receive respect.”

builds confidence, discipline & respect 19 mentions

“The Sensi is very engaging, teaching students discipline and focus while encouraging them to be their best in a fun, safe, and enjoyable setting!”

From the reviews

Love it here. Came one day for a trial run for my four year old, and didn’t leave. They were so patient with him and his anxiety. He truly has changed over the past few weeks and I appreciate the program more. I love that he can learn new techniques while also learning how to show and receive respect.

★★★★★ — Shan, Oct 2024

Very patient staff and encouraging to students to be their best at home and in class. Teach perseverance and focus in all they do! Would recommend to challenge kids to never quit!

★★★★★ — Rachael, Oct 2024

We have three in the family(adult and kids) enrolled at PMA North Charleston including their black belt program. The PMA curriculum has kept our kids interested and engaged much more than other martial arts programs they’ve tried.

★★★★★ — Jarrett, Jun 2023

Premier martial arts and Sensei Dion provide a nurturing respectful environment to teach martial arts and the discipline involved. I don’t think my son would have continued and enjoyed the process in many dojos but here every student is given the time and space to learn how they need to and taught the culture and…

★★★★★ — Walter, Aug 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 42 reviews →

New to Karate? Start at Premier Martial Arts - North Charleston

Premier Martial Arts - North Charleston 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 Premier Martial Arts - North Charleston

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 Premier Martial Arts - North Charleston

8636 Dorchester Rd Ste 103, North Charleston, SC29420

Get directions Instagram · Facebook

More Karate dojos near North Charleston

Japan Karate Institute North Charleston

4.9 ★★★★★ 57 reviews

8530 Dorchester Rd #104, North Charleston, SC

🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site

Memberships around $120/mo

Karate dojo Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Competition team Affiliated friendly, respectful dojostrong kids programbuilds confidence, discipline & respect

under a mile away

National Karate MMA

4.9 ★★★★★ 37 reviews

827 Travelers Blvd, Summerville, SC

Karate dojo Kids & teens friendly, respectful dojostrong kids programbuilds confidence, discipline & respect

3.6 miles away

Holy City American Martial Arts

4.8 ★★★★★ 36 reviews

150-A Howe Hall Rd, Goose Creek, SC

Ages 4–12

Karate dojo Beginners welcome Kids & teens Competition team friendly, respectful dojostrong kids programgood value / fair pricing

6.7 miles away

All Karate dojos in North Charleston, SC →

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.