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Springfield Karate & Fitness

4.9 ★★★★★ 12 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Springfield, Illinois

Karate dojo Beginners welcome Kids & teens Weapons / kobudo Competition team

Plan your first class

  • Membership memberships around $90/mo — many dojos also offer a discounted first month and family plans, so ask about new-student rates
  • 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
  • Weapons / kobudo traditional weapons (kobudo) classes — kata with the bo, sai, and nunchaku, taught with control and discipline
  • 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
  • Website & schedule springfieldkarateandfitness.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 217-726-8893

The classes they run

Karate classes on the schedule at Springfield Karate & Fitness, confirmed in students' own reviews and the dojo's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Karate 2 mentions

“The atmosphere is welcoming and family-friendly, and my son Kevin absolutely loves it here.”

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🛡️ Self-Defense

“Wonderful karate classes - emphasis is on self-defense and increasing self-confidence.”

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⚔️ 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 Springfield Karate & Fitness — mined from their reviews and the dojo's own info.

🥊 Kickboxing 2 mentions

“I come here for fitness, the cardio kickboxing.”

Other dojos that also teach kickboxing →

🏟️ MMA 2 mentions

“This is a great school for traditional martial arts as well as Kung Fu, MMA and Tai Chi.”

Other dojos that also teach mma →

🐉 Kung Fu 2 mentions

“This is a great school for traditional martial arts as well as Kung Fu, MMA and Tai Chi.”

Other dojos that also teach kung fu →

🛡️ Self-Defense

“Wonderful karate classes - emphasis is on self-defense and increasing self-confidence.”

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 12 Google reviews — in their own words.

friendly, respectful dojo 4 mentions

“The atmosphere is welcoming and family-friendly, and my son Kevin absolutely loves it here.”

great workout & fitness 2 mentions

“I come here for fitness, the cardio kickboxing.”

builds confidence, discipline & respect 3 mentions

“Wonderful karate classes - emphasis is on self-defense and increasing self-confidence.”

From the reviews

I am very grateful to Ms. Dennis and Mr. Jackson. I come here for fitness, the cardio kickboxing. When I 1st started over a year + I was on a quest to get my heath in order. Fibromyalgia and diabetes had made me feel weak and sick. I now feel stronger and have some self-confidence. Ms. Dennis and Mr.

★★★★★ — Indi, Sep 2018

I partake in Kung Fu, Thai Chi, and MMA. The instructors are very respectful and fun!

★★★★★ — Geoffrey, May 2020

This is a great place for anyone wanting to learn Karate or Tai Chi. Calling them is hit or miss, they don't answer when classes are in session. Going to the dojo is worth the visit to talk with them about enrollment. Only drawback is if you have a physical disability and the condition keeps you from attending classes.

★★★★☆ — Pamela, Oct 2019

"Springfield Karate & Fitness is an incredible place! The atmosphere is welcoming and family-friendly, and my son Kevin absolutely loves it here. He’s learning so much, and I can already see how much he's growing and improving. Thank you, Springfield Karate & Fitness, for everything you do.

★★★★★ — Dragon, Mar 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 12 reviews →

New to Karate? Start at Springfield Karate & Fitness

Springfield Karate & Fitness 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.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first Karate class at Springfield Karate & Fitness

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 Springfield Karate & Fitness

761 S Durkin Dr, Springfield, IL62704

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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.