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Steve Nugent's Karate Institute

4.8 ★★★★★ 23 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Burlington, Massachusetts

Karate dojo Beginners welcome Kids & teens

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
  • Adult classes adult Karate classes — training built for grown-ups, from fitness and fundamentals to kumite (sparring) at your own pace
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule stevenugentskarate.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 781-270-9099

Hours

Monday 9 am–9 pm
Tuesday 9 am–9 pm
Wednesday 9 am–9 pm
Thursday 9 am–9 pm
Friday 9 am–9 pm
Saturday 9 am–5 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 Steve Nugent's Karate Institute, confirmed in students' own reviews and the dojo's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Karate 13 mentions

“I bring my granddaughter to sensi Rich’s class and he is excellent in his teachings of self defense and discipline.”

All dojos that run kids karate →

🛡️ Self-Defense 2 mentions

“I bring my granddaughter to sensi Rich’s class and he is excellent in his teachings of self defense and discipline.”

All dojos that run self-defense →

🌱 Beginners

“The instructors are patient and dedicated to all levels.”

All dojos that run beginners →

Other martial arts here

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

🥋 Jiu-Jitsu 2 mentions

“My husband did karate and now does jiu jitsu, and always comes home exhausted but very happy.”

Other dojos that also teach jiu-jitsu →

🛡️ Self-Defense 2 mentions

“I bring my granddaughter to sensi Rich’s class and he is excellent in his teachings of self defense and discipline.”

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 23 Google reviews — in their own words.

expert instruction from a great sensei 2 mentions

“Amazing sensei, amazing techniques and a wonderful teacher”

friendly, respectful dojo 3 mentions

“The community is strong and supportive and the instruction is truly at the highest level of martial artists.”

🧒 strong kids program 3 mentions

“Sensei Rich has taught both my children and they love his firm, caring, silliness.”

From the reviews

Life changing. I am a mom of 2 kids and have been training at Steve Nugent’s Karate Institute for over 5 years. The community is strong and supportive and the instruction is truly at the highest level of martial artists. The instructors are patient and dedicated to all levels.

★★★★★ — Sheila, May 2021

Sensei Rich is phenomenal with small children! Our son lives his classes and is in his third session

★★★★★ — Jeremy, Apr 2018

Grandmaster Nugent and every instructor really care about helping and encouraging each student to work towards being the best they can be, giving goals to strive for with each class and each belt.

★★★★★ — Marge, May 2021

Daughter started karate here 3 years ago and she is still coming, having fun, and learning a lot. All the sensei’s are wonderful people. Grand Master Steve is always welcoming. Sensei Rich has taught both my children and they love his firm, caring, silliness.

★★★★★ — Zach, Nov 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 23 reviews →

New to Karate? Start at Steve Nugent's Karate Institute

Steve Nugent's Karate Institute 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 Steve Nugent's Karate Institute

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 Steve Nugent's Karate Institute

207 Cambridge St, Burlington, MA01803

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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.