How to Get Started
Two-Week Trial | Only $30 | Official Uniform Included
1
Connect with us
Call (706) 635-6800 or visit our dojo at 377 River Street during regular class hours. If we miss your call, leave a message — we respond promptly to every inquiry.
2
Start your 2-week intro course ($30)
Every new student — kids and adults alike — begins with our two-week introductory program. Your official uniform is included. This trial gives students enough time to experience our studio culture, learn basic fundamentals, and see if martial arts is the right fit.
3
Get placed & keep growing
Upon completing your intro course, Grandmaster Ben Kiker personally places you into the regular class schedule matched to your exact age and experience level. From there, you decide how far you want to take your training.
Practicalities
What to bring the first day
- Comfortable attire: Wear loose athletic clothing you can comfortably move in — a t-shirt and shorts or track pants are perfect. Your official uniform is provided during your introductory course.
- Hydration: Bring a water bottle.
- Arrival: Please arrive 10 minutes prior to class start time so we can introduce you to the space and get you ready for the floor.
That’s all you need to get started — we handle the rest.
Two questions we get most
Answered in pictures
Answers
Frequently asked questions
What age can my child start karate?
Students start at age 6. There is no preschool program, and that is deliberate — the class asks for a level of attention most children reach around six, and starting earlier tends to put kids off it. If your child is four or five, wait a year. They will get further.
How much are karate classes in Ellijay?
Everyone starts with a two-week introductory course for $30, with the uniform included. Call (706) 635-6800 for tuition after that.
Am I too old to start?
The two oldest students here are seventy-nine and eighty-two, and they train every week. There is no upper age limit.
Do I need to be in shape first?
No — and waiting until you are is how most people never start. The class is the conditioning.
Is karate good for shy kids?
Often better than team sports, for a structural reason. In a team sport the quiet child gets fewer touches. Here every student does every repetition and is measured against their own last attempt rather than against a teammate. Shy students tend to spend the first several weeks watching, and then one day they don’t.
Will my child have to compete?
No. The competitive road exists and it has produced world champions, but most students never take it. Sparring is controlled and matched by size and experience.
Do you teach boxing or kickboxing?
Not to new students. This is a karate school. Boxing and kickboxing are things experienced karate students may work toward once the foundation is there.
How long does it take to earn a black belt?
For a student training consistently, typically four to six years depending on age and attendance. Anywhere advertising a black belt in a fixed short period is selling a belt, not a rank.
How do I sign up?
Call (706) 635-6800 or walk in during class hours. There is no online registration — you talk to the man who will be teaching you.
You can begin any week
Call (706) 635-6800 or walk in during class hours. If you get the machine, leave a message — he returns them.