Home › New York › Rochester › Universal Kempo Club
Universal Kempo Club
5 ★★★★★ 10 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Rochester, New York
Part of Kenpo / Kempo Karate
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 5–7) — 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 universalkempoclub.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 585-210-0386
Hours
| Monday | 5–9 pm |
| Tuesday | 9:30 am–12 pm, 5:30–9 pm |
| Wednesday | 5–9 pm |
| Thursday | 9:30 am–12 pm, 5:30–9 pm |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 8 am–12 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“I owe Sensei my deepest gratitude for her dedication to and concern for my son’s health and wellbeing.”
“Her ability to break down complex movements into clear, achievable steps makes training accessible for beginners while still challenging for more experienced students.”
“Whether you're interested in the discipline of martial arts, high-level competition, or practical self-defense, I highly recommend training here.”
Other martial arts here
“Whether you're interested in the discipline of martial arts, high-level competition, or practical self-defense, I highly recommend training here.”
What students say
“They break down everything from Kempo techniques with incredible detail, using a compressed, step-by-step approach that makes a world of difference for a beginner.”
“The environment is supportive, disciplined, and fun :) Seeing my daughter get so excited to get in the class room every time is a testament to the amazing instruction here!”
“With impeccable instruction, students will learn how to defend themselves through various techniques, and will also be taught how to temper those techniques with self-control.”
“They break down everything from Kempo techniques with incredible detail, using a compressed, step-by-step approach that makes a world of difference for a beginner.”
“The environment is supportive, disciplined, and fun :) Seeing my daughter get so excited to get in the class room every time is a testament to the amazing instruction here!”
From the reviews
I’ve been training with Sifu & Dante for about almost a month now, and their Instructional clarity is second to none. They break down everything from Kempo techniques with incredible detail, using a compressed, step-by-step approach that makes a world of difference for a beginner.
A Truly Exceptional Martial Arts School Universal Kempo Club is exactly what a modern martial arts school should be — welcoming, disciplined, and deeply committed to helping students grow both physically and mentally. From the moment you walk in, you can feel the positive energy!
Sifu Emily worked with our son for over 10 years to achieve his black belt in Kempo. He actually learned alongside her son Dante and they achieved their black belts together. To this day they are still friends. Sifu interacted with a variety of students from all walks of life.
My teenage son studied kempo and tai chi with Sensei Barnes for several years in Northport, NY and became a very strong, and highly skilled, martial artist. More importantly, he also developed the virtues of a martial artist such as kindness, courtesy, respect, courage, and self-discipline.
New to Karate? Start at Universal Kempo Club
Universal Kempo Club 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 Universal Kempo Club
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 Rochester
Mas Oyama’s Muteki Kyokushin
5 ★★★★★ 203 reviews
Step Forward Martial Arts
5 ★★★★★ 35 reviews
Crudup's Karate Academy
4.1 ★★★★☆ 9 reviews