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True Way Martial Arts

4.7 ★★★★★ 65 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Clearwater, Florida

Free trial Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons

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

  • 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
  • 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 3–18) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • 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
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule truewaymartialarts.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (727) 351-4000

Hours

Monday 12–8:30 PM
Tuesday 12–8:30 PM
Wednesday 12–8:30 PM
Thursday 12–8:30 PM
Friday 12–8:30 PM
Saturday 8:30 AM–12 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 True Way Martial Arts, confirmed in students' own reviews and the dojo's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Karate 34 mentions

“My kids are so excited to start I have four of them and my husband and I are going to start I'm so excited I'm 33 and never done this before so exciting to learn new things.”

All dojos that run kids karate →

🛡️ Self-Defense 2 mentions

“Awesome place to learn not just martial arts and self defense, but to learn character traits that will carry kids through their entire life.”

All dojos that run self-defense →

🌱 Beginners

“My kids are so excited to start I have four of them and my husband and I are going to start I'm so excited I'm 33 and never done this before so exciting to learn new things.”

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 True Way Martial Arts — mined from their reviews and the dojo's own info.

🥊 Kickboxing

“My son and I have participated in the martial arts and kickboxing programs at True way martial arts since last Spring.”

Other dojos that also teach kickboxing →

🛡️ Self-Defense 2 mentions

“Awesome place to learn not just martial arts and self defense, but to learn character traits that will carry kids through their entire life.”

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 65 Google reviews — in their own words.

expert instruction from a great sensei 2 mentions

“Master Johnson was so patient and understanding and I Instantly felt his sense of inner peace.”

friendly, respectful dojo 13 mentions

“Mr G is a dedicated and skilled instructor who cares about all of the children and families who are part of the TWMA family.”

strong technique, kata & fundamentals 8 mentions

“Our 2 kids enjoy coming to classes every week and love the techniques that are being taught.”

🧒 strong kids program 9 mentions

“Not only is my daughter learning discipline but she is also learning how to work as a team and be more self aware of everything around her.”

builds confidence, discipline & respect 29 mentions

“Not only is my daughter learning discipline but she is also learning how to work as a team and be more self aware of everything around her.”

From the reviews

As a parent of a child with special needs, finding the right extracurricular activity can be challenging. From the day we walked into True Way Martial Arts, I knew we were at the right place. Master Johnson was so patient and understanding and I Instantly felt his sense of inner peace. Mr.

★★★★★ — Ottelia, Oct 2025

From the moment we walked through the doors, we felt like part of a family. The instructors are not only incredibly skilled but also kind, patient, and genuinely invested in every student’s growth. They go beyond teaching martial arts—they teach life skills like confidence, discipline, and respect.

★★★★★ — Tricia, Oct 2025

Really impressed and thankful for this program. Not only is my daughter learning discipline but she is also learning how to work as a team and be more self aware of everything around her. Mr.G is extremely patient, supportive and understanding.

★★★★★ — Deshliany, Aug 2025

TWMA is wonderful. We have had our children enrolled for about a year and their introduction to Martial Arts has helped them form a dedication which they could not find in any other sport or extracurricular endeavor.

★★★★★ — Kara, Oct 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 65 reviews →

New to Karate? Start at True Way Martial Arts

True Way Martial Arts 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 True Way 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 True Way Martial Arts

1530 McMullen Booth Rd Ste D1, Clearwater, FL33759

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.