HomeOhioWhitehall › Rick Moore Academy

Rick Moore Academy

4.4 ★★★★☆ 29 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Whitehall, Ohio

Karate dojo 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

  • 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
  • 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 rickmooreacademy.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 614-235-1036

Hours

Monday 10 am–8 pm
Tuesday 3–8 pm
Wednesday 10 am–8 pm
Thursday 3–8 pm
Friday 10 am–8 pm
Saturday 2–4 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 Rick Moore Academy, confirmed in students' own reviews and the dojo's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Karate 11 mentions

“Great insruction, vocal encouragement and weekly lessons allow me to see a world of difference in my sons knowledge of karate.”

All dojos that run kids karate →

🛡️ Self-Defense

“One of the the best places to learn to protect yourself.”

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 Rick Moore Academy — 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 29 Google reviews — in their own words.

expert instruction from a great sensei 2 mentions

“Very knowledgeable teachers that push the students to be their best in all aspects of life.”

friendly, respectful dojo 3 mentions

“An Atmosphere that Will make You Feel Like Family”

builds confidence, discipline & respect 2 mentions

“Very friendly and respectful place to be.”

From the reviews

I brought my grandson there to get him the experience I had when I was in martial arts and climb my way to each belt. My grandson has a disability and sensory issues with his hearing and they have been terrific working around his disability.

★★★★★ — Theresa, Dec 2019

My brother, and sister and I all took Karate there back in the early 00s. I was the one who had to Spar with a brown belt that had three stripes lol he hit me in my face well it did not end well for him I had him in the Fatal position lol I boy was never to hit a girl in the face I defined myself lol.

★★★★★ — Jennifer, Jun 2022

Started my 5 yr old son and he took to it very well. Great insruction, vocal encouragement and weekly lessons allow me to see a world of difference in my sons knowledge of karate.

★★★★★ — Joe, Nov 2015

I am learning very quickly at my levels. It's a peaceful environment. Very friendly and respectful place to be.

★★★★★ — S, Jan 2015

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 29 reviews →

New to Karate? Start at Rick Moore Academy

Rick Moore Academy 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 Rick Moore Academy

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 Rick Moore Academy

4367 E Main St, Whitehall, OH43213

Get directions Instagram · Facebook

More Karate dojos near Whitehall

EJ's Warrior Karate Academy

4.2 ★★★★☆ 17 reviews

3975 E Livingston Ave, Columbus, OH

Karate dojo Kids & teens Competition team Affiliated friendly, respectful dojo

under a mile away

AFSKA (American Free Spirit Karate Association)

3.7 ★★★★☆ 3 reviews

5953 E Main St, Columbus, OH

Karate dojo

2.2 miles away

Free Spirit Tae Kwon Do Karate Clubs

5 ★★★★★ 5 reviews

5953 E Main St, Columbus, OH

Karate dojo Kids & teens builds confidence, discipline & respect

2.2 miles away

All Karate dojos in Whitehall, OH →

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.