HomeKentuckyLouisville › St. Matthews Martial Arts

St. Matthews Martial Arts

5 ★★★★★ 21 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Louisville, Kentucky

Free trial Kids & teens Private lessons Competition team

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
  • 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
  • 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 gokempo.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 502-899-5506

Hours

Monday 11:30 am–8:30 pm
Tuesday 11:30 am–8:30 pm
Wednesday 11:30 am–8:30 pm
Thursday 11:30 am–8:30 pm
Friday 11:30 am–8:30 pm
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 St. Matthews Martial Arts, confirmed in students' own reviews and the dojo's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Karate 10 mentions

“Matthew’s Martial Arts Dojo offers a wonderful learning environment for children, teenagers, and adults.”

All dojos that run kids karate →

💪 Women's Karate

“Finally, my family loves all the other activities that they offer such as lightsaber days, bully prevention classes, and Women’s Self-Defense.”

All dojos that run women's karate →

🛡️ Self-Defense 5 mentions

“He's now a freshman in college, a third-degree black belt, and has taught classes, helped with birthday parties, and been an excellent punching bag during self-defense classes!”

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 St. Matthews Martial Arts — mined from their reviews and the dojo's own info.

🛡️ Self-Defense 5 mentions

“He's now a freshman in college, a third-degree black belt, and has taught classes, helped with birthday parties, and been an excellent punching bag during self-defense classes!”

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 21 Google reviews — in their own words.

expert instruction from a great sensei 3 mentions

“Oh, I almost forgot Master Joan and Master Alan are amazing.”

friendly, respectful dojo 4 mentions
🧒 strong kids program 2 mentions

“My sons love it and they've stuck with it because of the level of engagement given to them.”

builds confidence, discipline & respect 3 mentions

“I know nothing about martial arts, but they are very focused on positive aspects.”

From the reviews

I studied at st matthews martial arts from 1994 through 2001. I achieved a black belt. I have studied at quite a few places and although no single martial art is superior, the amount of information they give you is quite astonishing.

★★★★★ — Neil, Aug 2022

WHOA! If I was rating based on coolness factor it would be level 100+. They have mastered the art of teaching kids and adults martial arts and so much more. You could read every review on their page but words alone do not do justice.

★★★★★ — Justin, Feb 2018

St. Matthew’s Martial Arts Dojo offers a wonderful learning environment for children, teenagers, and adults. The Masters and instructors are very patient, understanding, knowledgeable, and friendly; however they do provide a safe and structured space for beginning through advanced martial arts learners.

★★★★★ — Claudia, Jul 2018

Our son trained at St. Matthews Martial Arts starting in kindergarten. He's now a freshman in college, a third-degree black belt, and has taught classes, helped with birthday parties, and been an excellent punching bag during self-defense classes!

★★★★★ — Sarah, Apr 2015

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 21 reviews →

Your first Karate class at St. Matthews Martial Arts

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 St. Matthews Martial Arts

4160 Westport Rd B, Louisville, KY40207

Get directions Instagram · Facebook

More Karate dojos near Louisville

Louisville Koshin-ha Chito-ry

4 ★★★★☆ 1 reviews

2403 Hikes Ln, Louisville, KY

Karate dojo

3.9 miles away

Takanoko Karate Dojo

5 ★★★★★ 5 reviews

999 Brent St, Louisville, KY

Karate dojo traditional style & affiliation

4.8 miles away

White Tiger Martial Arts

4.9 ★★★★★ 35 reviews

3018 Middle Rd, Jeffersonville, IN

Karate dojo Kids & teens Competition team expert instruction from a great senseifriendly, respectful dojostrong technique, kata & fundamentals

4.9 miles away

All Karate dojos in Louisville, KY →

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.