Awesome Dojo. great instructors. Work so well with young people. It is able to teach respect while making it so much fun. read more

Upstate Karate - G took 1st - Karate Near Me - Simpsonville, South Carolina

Came for the Yokkao seminar, absolutely great experience and a really nice group of people making up the team. 10/10, would definitely visit again. read more

My nephew has been here for a few years and he loves it. The instructors are great and the whole staff is nice. I've also been here a couple times for birthday parties. Everyone is very professional and the parties have always ran smooth! The facility is new and roomy and plenty of parking! read more

My kids have been going to Upstate for about a month now and they love it! We as parents love it too. The instructors are extremely nice and work very well with the kids. They always have so much fun teaching that the kids cant help but have fun as they front kick and jab and leg sweep their way across the mat. I am giving four stars but there are areas that need some improvement; with these improvements its easily a 5 star joint. Most of the facility is kind of run down and dated. The tile floors are damaged and coming up. A lot of the mats and equipment are old and falling apart, with some of the stuffing coming out during use. The mirrors on the walls are cracked. The store front windows are hazy with a film and almost always have condensation on them. The floors seem unkempt and dirty on most occasions. I don't really want to think about the cleanliness of the large wrestling floors but I am hoping they at least sweep it on a daily basis, with my hopes that they mop with a disinfectant of some sort too. If they invest in new equipment and refurbish everything, this could be a top notch facility. Cleanliness aside, its a great place for kids to learn karate. read more

We recently moved to Greenville in January and Upstate Karate has been the best thing! The senseis are amazing with the kids and it makes this place what it is! This is the only sport I have seen nowadays that really holds kids to a standard and expects excellence. "You can expect what you accept" is very true and their expectations transform the kids almost instantly. One of my twins was quiet and timid at the start, now she will sound off without hesitation and works hard to learn and improve. My other twin who struggles to focus and maintain self-control has also improved greatly. This facility has TONS of students (for good reason) and they manage it extremely well. The kids have a blast, get in great exercise, and are always excited for class. I have nothing but positive things to say about this place! read more

We started our son here, in karate at 3.5yo, and at 5.5 yo he still loves it. He has moved on from Little Dragons and into the yellow belt class, but each time we go he is happy to go and happy to be there and learns SO MUCH. What more can a parent ask for?? My husband also takes karate and jujitsu (sp??) and has enjoyed the adult classes very much. We have only good words to say about the family that owns this business. The Thompsons are just fantastic people! If it's your first time going, and your child is little, don't be worried about it...give him or her time to adjust and pretty soon they will love it as much as my son does! Our daughter can't wait to start Little Dragons soon too! It's such a fun, family friendly place! Also, Upstate Karate and the Thompsons are incredibly altruistic, raising money for various causes, like Breast Cancer research etc. This family is ALWAYS giving back to others! And being family friendly, they host a variety of family events all throughout the year. And they are FUN! They are very active in the community and have been around in this area for a while. This is a well established business run by a top notch karate expert. No fly by night place round here. His son teaches classes as well as the owner, Ray. His son being several times over World kickboxing champ (and ALL the kiddos just love Mr Stephen), and his Dad has been named a top karate coach in the nation a few years back. This is one special place! We love Upstate Karate! :))))) read more

Excellent customer service. I was looking for a Karate School for my son and even though I was disappointed their school would not be practical (location wise) for us Gloria went over and beyond to help me find a comparable school / program in my area!! Such nice people!! read more

We have been going attended upstate karate for 4 years with my daughter and just started my son a few months ago. We love everything about upstate karate and recommend it to every friend and family and even some strangers along the way about coming and trying it out . read more

My 3 year old just started Karate class here and she loves it! I like Mr. T. He seems like one of those guys that is tough on the kids, but in a very positive way. The class helpers were both really great with the kids, and I could tell that most of the munchkins were having fun! This is my first experience with a Karate place, and so far we like it a lot! read more

The instructors are nice. The ladies at the front desk are rude. One of the requirements to taking karate there is to buy and wear their shirts (money making). We bought 2. When my son wasn't wearing "their" shirt, they always got on to him about it. I was ok with it for awhile but it got to me every time he didn't wear their shirt, he was basically harassed by the front ladies as soon as he walked in. This was the final straw for me as I quickly stopped taking him there. In addition, the entire business is in it for money - always trying to sell merch or selling summer camps, or additional uniforms. The kids are "promoted" to upper levels when they aren't really perfecting the moves as true karate should be. I feel like they are trying to make the kids and parents happy to "promote" them when their skills aren't that good. I recommend going to a more authentic karate place that is genuinely going to teach your child true karate skills and is more professional. read more

My 5 year old grand daughter has been going for a few months now and she loves it! I love it too, just watching these kids progress and have such a good time while improving their skills puts a smile on my face. She is now a yellow belt and she can't wait to get her orange belt. She loves her teachers with Mr. Steven being the best for her age group. He keeps it fun! His training for UFC has not gotten in the way at all. He had a big fight in November and the kids didn't seem to be lacking in teaching at all. She is learning how to lose with grace because as you know, in life, we can't always win! Although she does most of the time! Lol keep up the good work guys. read more

Was a great school until the "Wonderboy" started fighting in the UFC. Took my kid out after three years. It should be labeled an MMA school. They use plenty of non-employee teenagers to instruct the kids...I wasn't paying them to instruct my kid, I expected the actual instructors. You spend a ton of money on patches and new Gi's with belt advancement...which is guaranteed. It's nothing to see students forget there moves during belt testing. Check out other schools before you sign up with this school. Everybody in Simpsonville pretty much knows about Ray Thompson's "Mafia Don" attitude. Just ask the numerous instructors he has lost. read more

We love Upstate Karate and their great instructors and staff! They are always available to help you and your child. My son has taken karate there for 8 yrs while achieving high self-control and self- discipline. He is a teenager now, and he earned his Jr and teen black belt, which he is very proud of ...and I am, too! When he was younger, he wasn't into other sports but seemed to excel at karate. Many thanks go out to Mr. Stephen, Mr. Tony, Mr.T and the other excellent staff for encouraging him to keep at it even when he didn't want to or when childhood seemed too much for him. With all the other things he could be doing in his life as a teenager, he is eager to go there, help the younger kids, see his friends and work with the Upstate Karate family. It takes a village to raise a child, and it sure helps to have a wonderful support team like Upstate Karate! read more

We LOVE Upstate Karate. My son has been taking classes for several years, and he loves the teachers and the classes. His teachers, Mr. T, Mr. Stephen, and Mr. Hayden truly care for the students, and they are excellent role models. We couldn't be happier. read more

We have been going to Upstate Karate for almost 5 years! By far the best Karate School in the Simpsonville/Greenville area. They have the greatest instructors who make the kids feel right at home. Mr. and Mrs. T are a class act and would do anything for the kids. My boys have learned so much and really appreciate all that they do for them! We love Upstate Karate! Wouldn't want to be anywhere else. read more