Frequently Asked Questions
How do I or my child join karate?
Join us for a class Monday thru Thursday 6:00pm – 7:00pm. Come early so you can fill out the liability waiver. Wear comfortable exercise pants and a t-shirt. Call or text 815-222-2341 for more information.
How much do karate classes cost?
Membership is $80.00 per month for a single member. Two family members $120.00. Three or more family members $160.00.
Do I need to be in shape to begin karate?
No! Karate is at your own pace. Your strength, balance, flexibility and fitness will improve over time.
How often should I come to class?
You can come to class as often as you like. As with any sport, the more you practice the more improvement you will gain. The more classes you can attend, the quicker you can learn.
How old must my child be to enroll?
The minimum age is 4, with a parent. It really depends on the child. We recommend that you try our free week of classes before becoming a member.
Am I too old to begin karate?
No! Karate is for anyone, no matter what the age. Anyone can benefit from karate. It builds balance, discipline, strength, and flexibility. If you are working towards a black belt or if you just want to learn self-defense, it is never too late.
When is the best age to begin karate?
Karate/martial arts are a lifelong learning process, so it is never too early or too late to start. Karate is a discipline that will exercise the mind and body. It will improve balance, flexibility, endurance and strength, Karate will build self-confidence, focus and safety skills.
What are the benefits of learning karate?
Karate builds strength, endurance and self-confidence; improves focus, balance, flexibility and safety skills all while exercising the body and mind.
Who takes karate?
Men, Women and children of all ages take karate.
How many students are in each class?
This depends on the day. Usually, we have small classes. We like to keep an instructor to student ration of 1 to 7.
Does TKI offer beginner karate classes?
At this time, all students meet for class at the same time. The class is divided and taught at the individual student’s levels. This also allows new student to see what they will be learning.
How long is a class?
Classes run for 55 – 60 minutes.
What equipment will I need?
To begin, all you need is a karate uniform called a Gi. The Gi is sold here at the dojo. Additional protective sparring equipment may be needed as you rank up.
What do the different colored belts mean?
The different colored belts are a representation of your skill level. We use the standard of 10 levels leading up to black belt, with each representing a kyu grade.
How often are belt tests held?
White belt thru green belt (lower ranks) tests can be done every three months. There is a longer gap for brown and black belt testing.
How long will it take me to earn a black belt?
At TKI karate, the very least is around four years. However, this requires you to train on a regular basis and to fulfill all of the required criteria. Martial Arts training differs from other sports in that there is a maturity of mind and philosophy that is equally important to being able to demonstrate physical techniques.