What age can my child start karate here?

The timetable lists a Toddlers class for 3.5-5 years, then Kids classes for 5-7 and 7+. The kids FAQ says students are welcome from age 4, so check with the dojo if your child is under 4.

When are kids classes held?

Toddlers (3.5-5): Wed & Fri 4-4:45PM. Kids (5-7): Mon-Fri 5-6PM and Sat & Sun 10-11AM. Kids (7+): Mon-Fri 6-7PM and Sat 11AM-12PM; Kids (7-10): Sun 11AM-12PM. Color Belts: Sat & Sun 12-1PM.

What does my child need for the first class?

Comfortable sports clothes, a water bottle and a sweat towel. The dojo sells the gi and belt, and later sparring gear such as gloves and shin guards.

Does my child need any karate experience?

No. The dojo says no prior experience is necessary and classes cater to beginners.

How much do classes cost, and is there a trial?

Prices and trial classes aren't on the website, so ask the dojo.

Where is the dojo and how do I contact it?

12A02, Floor 12A, Damac Smart Heights, Tecom (Barsha Heights), Dubai. Call +971 4 430 1011 or +971 50 6556 105, or email traditional.m.a@gmail.com.

Traditional Martial Arts & Fitness

Combat SportsMartial Arts

Checked Oct 2026Details checked October 2026

Barsha Heights

See timetable

Traditional Martial Arts & Fitness is a Shotokan karate dojo on Floor 12A of Damac Smart Heights in Tecom (Barsha Heights), founded in 2013 by Sensei Faramarz. He is a 6th dan black belt who began training in 1977, and teaches alongside Sensei Eisa Mohammad, who joined in 2022. Kids train in age groups: a 45-minute Toddlers class (3.5-5 years) and 60-minute Kids classes for 5-7 and 7+, plus a Color Belts class. There are after-school classes Monday to Friday and morning classes on Saturday and Sunday, and the dojo says most children come two or three times a week. Sessions mix warm-up games with kihon (basics), stances and kata, and bring in controlled sparring gradually, with progress marked through belt gradings. The dojo describes its approach as traditional karate blended with modern fitness, built on respect, humility and perseverance. It is within walking distance of Dubai Internet City Metro Station. It has a 4.8 rating on Google from 33 reviews.

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The activity

Martial Arts, explained

Karate is a Japanese martial art in which kids learn strikes, blocks, kicks and stances, then string them together in kata (set patterns of movement). Shotokan, one of the main karate styles, is built around three parts: kihon (basics), kata (forms) and kumite (sparring), with sparring introduced gradually and under supervision. Alongside the technique, classes build balance, coordination, flexibility and strength, and the belt system gives children clear goals to work towards, which helps with focus, discipline and confidence. Many dojos take children from around four, starting with games and simple stances before moving on to full technique work.

Who it's for

Kids from the Toddlers class (3.5-5 years) upwards, then Kids (5-7 years) and Kids (7+ years), with a Kids (7-10 years) class on Sunday mornings and a Color Belts class for graded students. The kids FAQ says students are welcome from age 4, so check with the dojo if your child is under 4. No experience is needed: classes cater to beginners. The site describes an inclusive environment for every skill level, and says Sensei Faramarz teaches students with disabilities too, so ask the dojo about your child's needs. Separate adult Shotokan classes run on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.

What to expect

A kids class starts with a fun warm-up, then basic techniques (kihon), stances and simple kata, with games and drills to build coordination. Controlled, supervised sparring is brought in gradually, and the class ends with a game or cool-down. Toddler classes last 45 minutes and classes for over-5s last 60. For the first classes, your child can wear comfortable sports clothes (a T-shirt with shorts or tracksuit bottoms) and should bring a water bottle and a sweat towel for the short mid-class break. The dojo sells the karate uniform (gi) and belt. The site doesn't mention trial classes or prices, so ask the dojo.

Highlights

Age-grouped kids classes: Toddlers 3.5-5 (45 min), Kids 5-7 and Kids 7+ (60 min) (martialartdxb.com)
Kids classes every weekday from 5PM, plus Saturday and Sunday mornings (martialartdxb.com)
Chief instructor Sensei Faramarz Mehrpour, 6th dan, training since 1977 (martialartdxb.com)
Shotokan karate with belt gradings and a separate Color Belts class (martialartdxb.com)
Within walking distance of Dubai Internet City Metro Station (martialartdxb.com)
4.8 on Google from 33 reviews (Google listing)

Why parents rate it

What parents say on Google

Traditional Martial Arts & Fitness has a 4.8 rating on Google from 33 reviews: 31 are five-star, one is three-star and one is one-star.

The facts

Ages: Toddlers 3.5-5 years; Kids 5-7 years; Kids 7+ years (Sunday: Kids 7-10 years); Color Belts class for graded students
Not published yet: Ask about prices and trials
Schedule: Toddlers (3.5-5): Wed & Fri 4-4:45PM. Kids (5-7): Mon-Fri 5-6PM; Sat & Sun 10-11AM. Kids (7+): Mon-Fri 6-7PM; Sat 11AM-12PM. Kids (7-10): Sun 11AM-12PM. Color Belts: Sat & Sun 12-1PM
Where: 12A02, Floor 12A, Damac Smart Heights, Tecom (Barsha Heights), Dubai
How to book: martialartdxb.com/contact · +971 4 430 1011 · +971 50 655 6105 · [email protected]

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

Questions parents ask

Good to know

Parking: paid RTA spaces around the building and paid parking in the building (martialartdxb.com)
Bring a water bottle and a sweat towel; the gi and belt are sold at the dojo (martialartdxb.com)
The dojo has changing rooms and restrooms (martialartdxb.com)
Wheelchair-accessible car park; card payments accepted (Google listing)