From what age can my child start karate at South Fitness Club?

The karate programme is open to children from 4 years old, as well as teens and adults. No prior experience is needed.

Do they teach kids' swimming and kickboxing too?

Yes. Swimming lessons start from age 3 and kickboxing from age 6. Both are open to beginners, with group, semi-private or private sessions.

How much are the kids' classes?

Karate and kickboxing fees are not published; ask the provider. The membership page lists swimming lesson plans: individual 185 AED a week (30 minutes a day), 250 AED a week (45 minutes a day) or 340 AED a week (60 minutes a day), and group (1 to 6 people) 130 AED a week (45 minutes a day), with discounts for gym members. The page does not say whether these are for children or adults, so confirm with the club.

When are the classes?

The club's class timetable is on its Glofox booking portal, linked from the Activities page. Karate runs in terms across the school year; ask the club for this term's days and times.

Is there a free trial?

The club's FAQ offers a one-day free trial of its facilities. Ask whether it can be used for a kids' karate, kickboxing or swimming class.

Where is it and how do I book?

Pulse, Villa Phase 1, Tulip Street, Dubai South. Register at the front desk, call or WhatsApp +971 50 679 9845, or email Info@southfitness.ae.

South Fitness Club: karate, kickboxing and swimming for kids in Dubai South

Combat SportsMartial Arts

Checked Oct 2026Details checked October 2026

Dubai South

Book online See timetable

South Fitness Club is a gym in The Pulse Villas, Dubai South, with an outdoor pool, studio classes and a kids' side that covers Shito-Ryu karate, kickboxing and swimming. Karate runs as weekly term classes that teach technique, self-defence and values like respect and focus, with a belt assessment at the end of term. Children can start karate at 4, kickboxing at 6 and swimming lessons at 3, and all three are open to complete beginners. Sessions can be group, semi-private or private. The club has also run a summer Kids Fitness Camp mixing karate, kickboxing, swimming, Zumba, gymnastics and arts and crafts. It is a members' gym first, so expect adults training on the gym floor nearby; the karate photos on its site show classes on mats laid out beside the treadmills. For a family living in Dubai South it keeps karate, swimming and a parent's own workout under one roof, with free parking on site.

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The activity

Martial Arts, explained

Shito-Ryu is one of the main styles of Japanese karate, known for its wide range of kata, the set sequences of moves students learn and perform. In a kids' class, children warm up, practise stances, blocks, punches and kicks, then work on kata and simple self-defence. Progress is marked by coloured belts, earned through assessments of technique, kata and discipline. Beyond the moves, karate asks children to listen, wait their turn, bow in and out, and keep trying when something is hard, which is why parents often choose it for focus and confidence. Many clubs take children from about four, and South Fitness Club's karate classes start at four.

Who it's for

Karate: children from 4 years old, teens and adults, beginners welcome. Kickboxing: kids from 6, teens and adults. Swimming lessons: children from 3 and adults, from complete beginners to advanced swimmers. Boys and girls both appear in the club's class photos. Nothing is published about additional needs; ask the club.

What to expect

Karate runs as weekly term classes built around fundamentals, self-defence and belt progression, and each term ends with an assessment of technique, kata and discipline that decides belt promotion; parents are invited to come and cheer. The club suggests 2-3 karate classes a week for steady progress, though one a week still helps. For kickboxing, bring comfortable workout clothes, a water bottle and a towel; coaches advise on gloves or wraps. The club offers group, semi-private and private sessions. Its general FAQ mentions a one-day free trial of the facilities; ask whether that covers a children's class. Register at the front desk or by phone.

Highlights

Shito-Ryu karate for children from age 4, taught in weekly terms with belt assessments (south-fitness.com)
Kids' kickboxing from age 6 and swimming lessons from age 3, beginners welcome (south-fitness.com)
Group, semi-private and private sessions for kids (south-fitness.com)
Outdoor swimming pool, open 9AM-9PM every day (south-fitness.com)
Swimming instructors trained in water safety and CPR, the club says (south-fitness.com)
Free on-site parking (south-fitness.com; Google listing)

Why parents rate it

What parents say on Google

South Fitness Club has 4.7 on Google from 158 reviews: 137 five-star, 12 four-star, 3 three-star and 6 one-star. The Google reviews shown on the club's own website are mostly from gym members and mention friendly, helpful front-desk staff, well-kept modern equipment and a welcoming atmosphere.

The facts

Ages: Karate: from 4
Kickboxing: from 6
Swimming lessons: from 3
(south-fitness.com)
Prices: Swimming lesson plans (membership page, updated April 2026; not stated whether for children or adults): individual 185 AED/week for 30 min a day, 250 AED/week for 45 min a day, 340 AED/week for 60 min a day; group (1 to 6 people) 130 AED/week for 45 min a day; 10-20% off for gym members. Karate and kickboxing fees not published; ask the provider.
Schedule: Class timetable on the club's Glofox booking portal; karate runs in three terms across the school year (ask for this year's dates and class times)
Trial: One-day free trial of the facilities per the club's FAQ; ask whether it covers a kids' class
Where: Pulse, Villa Phase 1, Tulip Street, Dubai South, Dubai
How to book: app.glofox.com/portal/#/branch/687fc8b72257b8b1b90059ae/classes-day-view?header=classes · +971 50 679 9845 · [email protected]
Opening hours: Mon–Fri6am–11pm
Sat8am–9pm
Sun8am–10pm

Guide · 8 min readRead: Gymnastics and martial arts: body control, balance and learning to fall

Questions parents ask

Good to know

It is a members' gym: Google lists 'membership required', so ask how kids' classes are paid for if you are not a member (Google listing)
Karate classes run on mats on the main gym floor, near the cardio machines, judging by the club's own photos (south-fitness.com)
Wheelchair-accessible entrance, toilet and car park (Google listing)
Karate runs in three terms across the school year; the term dates on the site have no year and were last updated in September 2025, so ask for this year's (south-fitness.com)
The club also hosts children's birthday and pool parties with a lifeguard on duty (south-fitness.com)
Saturday closing time is listed as 9PM or 10PM in different places; check before a late visit (south-fitness.com)