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Sin Thé Karate School

4.4 ★★★★☆ 29 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Lexington, Kentucky

Karate dojo Affiliated Kids & teens Weapons / kobudo 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
  • Weapons / kobudo traditional weapons (kobudo) classes — kata with the bo, sai, and nunchaku, taught with control and discipline
  • Competition team a competition team for students who want to test themselves at kumite tournaments
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule sinthe.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (859) 275-2148

Hours

Monday 5:30–8 PM
Tuesday 5:30–8 PM
Wednesday 5:30–8 PM
Thursday 5:30–8 PM
Friday Closed
Saturday 9 AM–2 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 Sin Thé Karate School, confirmed in students' own reviews and the dojo's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Karate 8 mentions

“They do not teach children the techniques behind the forms because what responsible school teaches a child to snap another child's arm.”

All dojos that run kids karate →

🛡️ Self-Defense 2 mentions

All dojos that run self-defense →

⚔️ Weapons (Kobudo)

All dojos that run weapons (kobudo) →

Other martial arts here

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

🥊 Kickboxing 2 mentions

“If you go ooh you drink the cool sid reading this, i also trained in shorin te, bujinkan, muay thai, was an infantry 11b.”

Other dojos that also teach kickboxing →

🏟️ MMA 2 mentions

“If you want someone to babysit your kids and hand out belts or you are looking for sport competition “MMA” styles this isn’t the place for you.”

Other dojos that also teach mma →

🐉 Kung Fu 5 mentions

Other dojos that also teach kung fu →

🛡️ Self-Defense 2 mentions

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 29 Google reviews — in their own words.

strong technique, kata & fundamentals 6 mentions

“They do not teach children the techniques behind the forms because what responsible school teaches a child to snap another child's arm.”

active competition / tournament team 2 mentions

“If you want someone to babysit your kids and hand out belts or you are looking for sport competition “MMA” styles this isn’t the place for you.”

builds confidence, discipline & respect 2 mentions

“Top notch in every respect.”

From the reviews

Been studying here for over 20 years, got my kids here with me bringing up the next generation. Not only is it the oldest martial arts school in Lexington it is without a doubt the most traditional.

★★★★★ — Kres, Jan 2023

I took classes with sin the back in 1973, at the age of 14, loved it, made it to 3rd degree brown belt. Then life situation changed. Wish I could continue now.

★★★★★ — Juanita, Jun 2016

The time I’ve spent at this school, and the instructors here have been an integral part of my life in the best way. Top notch in every respect.

★★★★★ — John, Mar 2019

I have been with the west virginia branch of this system for 30 years, 100% is not for tournament fighting, mma or otherwise. They do not teach children the techniques behind the forms because what responsible school teaches a child to snap another child's arm.

★★★★★ — Timothy, Jan 2026

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 29 reviews →

Your first Karate class at Sin Thé Karate School

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 Sin Thé Karate School

282 Gold Rush Rd #120, Lexington, KY40503

Get directions

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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.