Home › Pennsylvania › Reading › The Ganster Karate System
The Ganster Karate System
5 ★★★★★ 6 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Reading, Pennsylvania
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 (ages 5) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- Competition team a competition team for students who want to test themselves at kumite tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule karatereadingpa.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 610-816-3911
Hours
| Monday | 6–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 6–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 6–8 pm |
| Thursday | 6–8 pm |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 9–11 am |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“I would recommend this to anyone male or female for self-defense classes.”
Other martial arts here
“I would recommend this to anyone male or female for self-defense classes.”
From the reviews
This is a great place to train. After 40 years in the martial arts and studying several systems and styles of martial arts, I will proudly say this is where the Masters come to learn. This is also an excellent place for new students to start on their path. A truly friendly environment.
This was a really cool experience. I would recommend this to anyone male or female for self-defense classes. You learned how to protect yourself and they did not make you feel silly or stupid if you took a while to learn the moves. They were very patient and made sure everyone had a great experience while learning.
There's no place like Ganster Dojo. I've been in martial arts for 50 years. Hanshi Ganster is a force of nature and the rest of the Senior instructors are top notch. This is my new home away from home.
New to Karate? Start at The Ganster Karate System
The Ganster Karate System 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.
Your first Karate class at The Ganster Karate System
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.
More Karate dojos near Reading
Fields' Karate
5 ★★★★★ 7 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
Kaizen Do LLC
5 ★★★★★ 8 reviews