Beginner Karate Classes
Beginner karate is the on-ramp to the art, and a good beginners' class is built entirely around people who have never trained: the sensei breaks down the core stances and blocks, a few basic kicks and punches, and — just as importantly — how a class actually runs, so nobody is thrown in the deep end. You do not need to be fit or flexible to start, you do not need any gear for a first class (most dojos lend a gi), and hard sparring is not part of a true beginners' session; kumite is introduced gradually, kept light, and closely supervised when it comes. Everyone starts at white belt. Expect to drill technique slowly, expect to be a little lost your first time (everyone is), and expect a room that remembers being new. The 1,081 dojos below offer beginner karate classes — use the map to find the closest one, or browse by state.
Want the full picture first? Read the karate for beginners guide — what your first class is really like, whether you need to be fit, and whether you'll have to spar.
Top-rated dojos for beginner karate classes
Ranked by local reputation — rating weighted by review count.
TROY MARTIAL ARTS
4.9 ★★★★★ 648 reviews
Kickaro's Martial Arts & Fitness - Danbury - Kids LOVE Karate
5 ★★★★★ 345 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
Revolution Modern Martial Arts - Clayton NC
5 ★★★★★ 341 reviews
Action Karate Manayunk
4.9 ★★★★★ 318 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
AmeriKick Martial Arts Overland Park
5 ★★★★★ 308 reviews
National Karate & Martial Arts Aurora
5 ★★★★★ 305 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
ATA Steele Creek
4.8 ★★★★★ 317 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
Reveal Martial Arts Southlake
5 ★★★★★ 296 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
Integrity Martial Arts: Cutler Bay
4.9 ★★★★★ 288 reviews
DLux Karate University
5 ★★★★★ 282 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
Mastery Martial Arts - Troy
4.9 ★★★★★ 278 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
Karate John's Martial Arts Center
5 ★★★★★ 271 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
What members say about beginners
-
“His teaching style is both motivating and patient, making everyone—from beginners to advanced students—feel comfortable and confident while learning.”
-
“As an older beginner, she has the option to join either the younger kids’ classes or the teen/adult sessions.”
-
“I started taking the adult classes this year (first time with a martial art), and it's been great!”
-
“The classes are challenging and technical, yet adaptable for beginners.”
Find beginner karate classes by state
- Beginners in Alabama
- Beginners in Alaska
- Beginners in Arizona
- Beginners in Arkansas
- Beginners in California
- Beginners in Colorado
- Beginners in Connecticut
- Beginners in Delaware
- Beginners in District of Columbia
- Beginners in Florida
- Beginners in Georgia
- Beginners in Hawaii
- Beginners in Idaho
- Beginners in Illinois
- Beginners in Indiana
- Beginners in Iowa
- Beginners in Kansas
- Beginners in Kentucky
- Beginners in Louisiana
- Westbrook, ME
- Beginners in Maryland
- Beginners in Massachusetts
- Beginners in Michigan
- Beginners in Minnesota
- Beginners in Mississippi
- Beginners in Missouri
- Butte, MT
- Beginners in Nebraska
- Beginners in Nevada
- Beginners in New Hampshire
- Beginners in New Jersey
- Beginners in New Mexico
- Beginners in New York
- Beginners in North Carolina
- Minot, ND
- Beginners in Ohio
- Beginners in Oklahoma
- Beginners in Oregon
- Beginners in Pennsylvania
- Beginners in Rhode Island
- Beginners in South Carolina
- Beginners in Tennessee
- Beginners in Texas
- Beginners in Utah
- Beginners in Virginia
- Beginners in Washington
- Beginners in Wisconsin