What age can my child start karate at Champions Karate Academy in Motor City?

From 4. The academy's Tots classes are for 4-year-olds, and the Motor City timetable lists Tots on Monday afternoon and Sunday morning. Junior classes start at 5 and are grouped by age, and there are separate classes for teens and adults.

When are the kids' karate classes in Motor City?

The website's Motor City timetable lists Tots (4 years) on Monday 4.15-5pm and Sunday 9.45-10.30am. Junior classes: Monday 5-6pm (5 to 8) and 6-7pm (9 to 13); Tuesday and Wednesday 4-5pm (5 to 8) and 5-6pm (9 to 13); Thursday 5-6pm (5 to 8) and 6-7pm (9 to 13); Friday 2-3pm (5 to 7), 3-4pm (8 to 10) and 4-5pm (11+); Saturday 12-1pm (5 to 8) and 1-2pm (9+); Sunday 10.30-11.30am (5 to 6), 11.30am-12.30pm (7 to 9), 12.30-1.30pm (10+), 3-4pm (5 to 8) and 4-5pm (9+). The entries were last edited between 2024 and 2025, so confirm this term's times on WhatsApp.

How much do classes cost?

Fees aren't published on the website, so ask the provider. Classes are paid by the term (about 11 weeks on average); there's no monthly option.

Is there a trial class?

Yes, booked by WhatsApp on +971 58 575 0287. The trial is charged and counts as the first class if you register; it isn't charged if your child didn't like it and you don't register.

What does my child need to wear?

Comfortable sportswear for the trial. After registering, you buy a gi through the academy. Karate gloves are needed from the start and leg pads from green belt.

Where is the Motor City dojo?

Office UB 3, Daytona House, Detroit Road, Dubai Motor City.

Champions Karate Academy, Motor City

Combat SportsMartial Arts

Checked Oct 2026Details checked October 2026

Motor City

Trial class

Book online

Champions Karate Academy teaches Shotokan karate at its Motor City dojo in Daytona House, with classes for tots, kids, teens and adults. The academy starts children from 4 in its games-based Tots classes, then moves them into junior karate from 5, grouped by age. Juniors follow a Shotokan syllabus the academy says is recognised by the World Karate Federation, earning a belt tag for each of kihon (basics), kata (patterns) and kumite (sparring) before grading. The Motor City page names Sensei Alex and Sensei Jus as instructors: the academy's coaches include Alex Gardner, a 3rd Dan and former England and GB team member, and Juš Markač, a 2nd Dan and co-owner who competed for Slovenia. The website's Motor City timetable runs seven days and also lists teen and adult classes, competition training, brown and black belt classes, teen kickboxing and ladies-only morning kickboxing. Classes are paid by the term, and trials are booked on WhatsApp.

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The activity

Martial Arts, explained

Karate is a Japanese martial art built on punches, kicks, blocks and stances, practised barefoot in a uniform called a gi. Shotokan, a traditional Japanese style, is known for deep stances and strong, direct techniques. Children learn three strands: kihon (basic techniques), kata (set patterns of moves performed solo) and kumite (sparring with a partner, under control and with protective kit). A coloured-belt ladder gives kids a clear sense of progress, and classes put as much weight on focus, respect and self-control as on fitness and coordination. Many clubs take children from about four or five, starting with games-based classes before moving into junior groups.

Who it's for

Children from 4, plus separate teen and adult classes. Tots classes are for 4-year-olds; junior classes start at 5 and are grouped by age on the Motor City timetable (for example 5 to 8 and 9 to 13 on weekdays, and 5 to 7, 8 to 10 and 11+ on Fridays). No experience is needed to start. There are also classes for brown and black belts, competition training (all ages), teen kickboxing and ladies-only kickboxing.

What to expect

Book a trial class by WhatsApp. For the trial, comfortable sportswear is fine. The trial is charged and counts as the first class of the term if you sign up; if your child didn't like it and you don't register, it isn't charged. Once you've registered and paid for the term, you buy the gi (karate uniform) through the academy on WhatsApp, sending your child's height in cm for sizing. Karate gloves are needed from the start, and leg pads from green belt. Parents don't sit in during classes, but the coaches are happy to give feedback before and after. The academy suggests two to three sessions a week.

Highlights

Shotokan karate, with a belt tag each for kihon, kata and kumite before grading (champions-uae.com)
Tots classes for 4-year-olds, then junior karate from 5 grouped by age (champions-uae.com)
Instructors named for Motor City: Sensei Alex (Gardner, 3rd Dan) and Sensei Jus (Markač, 2nd Dan) (champions-uae.com)
Motor City timetable runs seven days, with weekend Tots and junior classes (champions-uae.com)
Teen and adult karate, competition training and ladies-only kickboxing at the same dojo (champions-uae.com)
5.0 on Google from 52 reviews (Google listing)

Why parents rate it

What parents say on Google

Champions Karate Academy is rated 5.0 on Google from 52 reviews. 51 of them are five-star and one is four-star, with no ratings below that.

The facts

Ages: 4+ (Tots classes for 4-year-olds; junior karate from 5 by age group; teen and adult classes)
Prices: Not published; paid by the term (about 11 weeks), no monthly option
Schedule: Website's Motor City timetable (entries last edited 2024-2025; confirm the current term on WhatsApp). Tots (4 yrs): Mon 4.15-5pm; Sun 9.45-10.30am. Juniors: Mon 5-6pm (5-8), 6-7pm (9-13); Tue 4-5pm (5-8), 5-6pm (9-13); Wed 4-5pm (5-8), 5-6pm (9-13); Thu 5-6pm (5-8), 6-7pm (9-13); Fri 2-3pm (5-7), 3-4pm (8-10), 4-5pm (11+); Sat 12-1pm (5-8), 1-2pm (9+); Sun 10.30-11.30am (5-6), 11.30am-12.30pm (7-9), 12.30-1.30pm (10+), 3-4pm (5-8), 4-5pm (9+). Teens & adults: Tue 6.30-7.30pm, Thu 7-8pm. Brown & black belts: Wed 6-7pm, Sat 9.30-10.30am. Competition (all ages): Mon 7-8pm, Wed 7-8pm, Sat 10.30-11.30am. Teen kickboxing: Fri 5-6pm. Ladies-only kickboxing: Mon and Wed 9am.
Trial: Trial class booked on WhatsApp; charged and counted as the first class if you register, not charged if your child didn't like it and you don't register
Where: Office UB 3, Daytona House, Detroit Rd, Al Hebiah First, Dubai Motor City, Dubai
How to book: api.whatsapp.com/send?phone=971585750287 · +971 58 575 0287 · [email protected]

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Questions parents ask

Good to know

Paid by the term only, no monthly option; terms average about 11 weeks (champions-uae.com)
Payment on the academy's online booking platform, or by card or cash (champions-uae.com)
Missed class through illness? Send a doctor's note on WhatsApp for a make-up class, which can be taken at any of the academy's locations before the term ends (champions-uae.com)
Parents don't sit in during classes (champions-uae.com)
Private lessons can be booked on WhatsApp (champions-uae.com)
Wheelchair-accessible car park (Google listing)