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Rifkin Professional Karate Center

5 ★★★★★ 81 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Columbia, Missouri

Karate dojo Affiliated 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

  • 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 rifkinprokarate.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 573-442-0668

Hours

Monday 10 am–8:30 pm
Tuesday 10 am–8:30 pm
Wednesday 10 am–8:30 pm
Thursday 10 am–8:30 pm
Friday 10 am–8:30 pm
Saturday 9 am–1 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 Rifkin Professional Karate Center, confirmed in students' own reviews and the dojo's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Karate 45 mentions

“We truly feel like part of a family with Rifkin Professional Karate Edit: we are now on year 4 with Rifkin and my daughter is apart of the Demonstration team.”

All dojos that run kids karate →

👤 Private Lessons 3 mentions

“Lately, with the social distancing, he has gone to private lessons via zoom and my son has loved it.”

All dojos that run private lessons →

🛡️ Self-Defense 4 mentions

“The focus is real-life efficacy in self-defense, although students arrtacted to sport activity in tournaments or competitions do extremely well in those pursuits.”

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 Rifkin Professional Karate Center — mined from their reviews and the dojo's own info.

🛡️ Self-Defense 4 mentions

“The focus is real-life efficacy in self-defense, although students arrtacted to sport activity in tournaments or competitions do extremely well in those pursuits.”

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 81 Google reviews — in their own words.

expert instruction from a great sensei 4 mentions

“He is a great teacher along with all of his black belts and black belt candidate student teachers.”

friendly, respectful dojo 6 mentions

“We truly feel like part of a family with Rifkin Professional Karate Edit: we are now on year 4 with Rifkin and my daughter is apart of the Demonstration team.”

strong technique, kata & fundamentals 3 mentions

“What sets this school apart is Master Rifkin’s as well as other teachers’ unwavering focus on proper technique.”

🧒 strong kids program 6 mentions

“My child has blossomed into a strong, independent person through their experience with RPKC and we highly recommend it to anyone!”

active competition / tournament team 4 mentions

“The focus is real-life efficacy in self-defense, although students arrtacted to sport activity in tournaments or competitions do extremely well in those pursuits.”

builds confidence, discipline & respect 26 mentions

“Karate has helped improve his self confidence, helped him get in better physical shape and given him a sense of pride while also learning about respect and discipline.”

From the reviews

Columbia! You are fortunate to have Rifkin Pro Karate in your city! My children and wife attended Rifkin Pro Karate for years while Master Rifkin was living in Southern California. Master Rifkin and his assistants were all fantastic and incredible with children and adults.

★★★★★ — P, Aug 2018

As a parent, I couldn’t be more pleased with my son’s experience at RPKC. Master Rifkin’s passion for martial arts is evident in every class, and his genuine commitment to each student’s development goes far beyond simply teaching kicks and punches.

★★★★★ — Preethi, Sep 2025

My 7 year old daughter has been attending since January of this year (2016) and has been hooked ever since. The transformation I have seen in her in is unbelievable. We attended our first competition today and she did amazing! I can not wait to see her progress more!

★★★★★ — Lindsey, Sep 2016

Master Rifkin has been teaching my son for over two years now and this review is long overdue. I wouldn't consider taking him anywhere else. The growth I have seen has been amazing to watch and I attribute it to the skill that Master Rifkin has as an instructor.

★★★★★ — Shawn, Apr 2020

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 81 reviews →

Your first Karate class at Rifkin Professional Karate 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 Rifkin Professional Karate Center

502 Cooper Dr N, Columbia, MO65201

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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.