A review from my son, age 9: I started karate three years ago by being inspired when my sister did it. It was surprisingly hard, but after a while I got used to it. I go to karate two times a week on Mondays and Wednesdays. Going to tournaments was scary at first but now it's just hard. Karate has helped me make a lot more friends. I cannot tell if I'm regretting becoming a black belt. My mother says I have to do some sport and this is the only one I want to do right now. read more

Watching our son Chase grow at Action Karate Manayunk has been amazing. He started at 6 and is now 9 stronger, more focused, and full of determination. From mastering push-ups to learning time management with our support, he's grown so much. Action Karate has truly helped him build confidence and discipline, one belt at a time! read more

I wanted to do something new but active but also potentially useful...a Google search Led me to this business. When I first joined there was a deal going where you could attend 3 classes or so for around $50. I don't even think I had officially signed up for this online yet but the next day someone called me to connect. Eventually I did purchase it and went to the classes. Mind you, this has been my experience as an adult (there is also a lot of programming for children but I'm not familiar). But from what I've seen, if I had a kid, I would enroll them here. The place is definitely family friendly. I liked the structure of each 45-50 min class, it seemed to be divided into thirds where you spent a portion learning a new self defense technique, one portion learning a Kata and another portion doing HIIT (high intensity interval training) type work kickboxing style...with punches and kicks...i felt like I was getting an amazing workout. As I committed to the program, before you can get your white belt, you have to memorize a creed (it seems to be their creed as we repeat it in almost every class) and recite it in front of the class...Im an adult but I can see why this is included especially for kids to build confidence. Every few months there is belt testing to graduate to the next belt - you're observed on your enthusiasm, knowledge of the self defenses...and your cardiovascular strength...whew. That last part was unexpected for me and was definitely the hardest part. As far as building confidence, this seems to be one of their primary goals, encouraging you to be loud and high energy while also disciplined. They also have "lessons of the week". there are a few Instructors, all extremely friendly, welcoming, knowledgeable and helpful...also interestingly they are at different levels of their black belt journey and ages (actually I will say the group of instructors is very pleasantly diverse). The primary instructor, I believe, is Mr. C. I saw another review mention the "YES SIR/MA'AM" military style and being turned off by it, for me, I think it's cute (if you can call karate cute, lol) and I see why they do it BUT it can feel infantilizing at times, maybe it's because the instructors so often deal with young children...or perhaps it's just my personality. I believe the expect you to commit to 2 classes per week and they definitely mark attendance. Every week they send an email with the calendar of sessions and you're expected to sign up...you definitely get a check in text if you sign up for a class but don't attend. (they say the number of spots per class is limited but I've never seen them reach the limit). All in all, I've been enjoying my time and plan to stick with it. It does however seem like the class structure is changing a bit so there is less of a dedicated HIIT section and it's just woven throughout the class instead. I'm not a fan which is why I removed a star. I definitely feel like I'm getting less of a workout - this may not matter to some but fitness was part of why I joined. Also, as far as quality control goes, I definitely have a more robust experience with certain instructors over others. read more

Would give 10 stars if we could. The crew at Action Karate Manayunk are amazing and have helped our little girl so much. Not only she is now excited to attend classes but she has gained so much confidence and self control. Ms. Taura, Mr. C and the entire crew are amazing!!! hi fives and knuckle bumps all the way around. read more

Just wonderful ! My son has only been attending this action karate for a about one month and everyone has shown such professionalism and very friendly and welcoming ! I love this place and we will be attending for a while ! read more

Our daughter started at Action Karate a few months ago and we've had a terrific experience. The initial 1:1s with Ms. Taura were very helpful to introduce the program, and get our daughter (and us!) comfortable with the focus and discipline involved. Since then she's been attending twice a week and has gained a lot from this commitment. She works hard to be on time, which was long a challenge in getting ready for school and other activities; enjoys the initial stretch and getting better at the moves she learns each week; is motivated by the music, which creates a fun and fast-paced environment; and is learning from each teacher, who are all kind and patient but focused on helping each kid improve. The staff led by Mr. C--who has such a fun, engaging personality--has created an inclusive environment for diverse backgrounds and skill sets. Our daughter has gotten much physically stronger, and we also notice her mentioning doing her chores and incorporating the weekly lessons from class into our everyday life. Overall this is a meaningful extracurricular activity--above and beyond just another class once a week--and worth the time and resources for our family. This is a great program for kids who would benefit from routine and pretty intense physical activity, especially if they've isolated and remote because of COVID-19. We've enjoyed it so much we've started to participate in the adult activities. read more

My daughter was 5yo when she started at Action Karate. She was shy, quiet, & very sensitive. Action Karate has helped her come out of her shell and be more confident. I never thought she would get up in front of an audience and perform at a tournament but she did and you could see the change in her. It teaches discipline, confidence, & kindness. Best money spent read more

Action Karate Manayunk - Karate Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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WARNING!!!! They do not explain that you HAVE to eventually sign a contract for OVER 3 years to become a black belt. (After your child is already enrolled) All the program cares about is your monthly tuition and sends you to a collection agency, even after explaining a financial hardship. If You can find a more flexible karate school, I would search before signing up with Action Karate.( Amarkik, Kendrick Rec- they do not have contracts) The teachers are great, but the class sizes are too big now, and they have kids (the same belt rank) teaching kids (for 180 a month) you should have an actual black belt instructor. read more

We considered ourselves fortunate to have found the introductory class at Action Karate Manayunk for our son Keaton a few years ago. This opportunity for Keaton had presented itself just a short time after our son experienced a devastating bullying incident at school. It quickly became obvious that this staff of instructors was dedicated to ensure the safety, equality and acceptance of all of our children. From day 1, Keaton received a warm and encouraging welcome, he felt safe and accepted, he was taught about perseverance in the presence of humility, strength in the presence of fear and life lessons about how to transition potential tragedy in triumph. Mr. C, Miss Dawn and Miss Taura instilled in Keaton many life lessons through consistent physical and emotional training as he embarked on his journey towards Black Belt excellence. The unwavering support provided to our son from this incredible team of karate experts has resulted in Keaton's ability to reassess challenging situations instead of reacting, exercise self discipline, seek out leadership opportunities, champion other students on their journey to Black Belt Excellence and t has increased his self confidence and self worth in the presence of humility. In recent months our son experienced yet another encounter with a bully at school. Instead of reacting to this incident he reassessed the situation, processed his emotions and then self requested with the school principal that his karate instructor Mr C be granted permission to come to school to co-facilitate an Action Karate Anti Bullying Discussion and De-escalation Demonstration for his entire class including the student responsible for the bullying incident. This request was honored and our Action Karate Manayunk Family stood proudly beside our son to support him through this life lesson and applaud him for his demonstration of leadership. We are honored to be apart of this program and we are humbled to be a part of this family as Keaton prepares to test for his Black Belt Level. Thank you Mr C, Miss Dawn and Miss Taura for everything always! Most Sincerely, Michelle Lasota, Robert Musi & Keaton Musi read more

I am so excited to have such a wonderful establishment in the neighborhood! Learning Karate and accompanying principles is a fantastic addition to our daughter's life. She has only been doing for a few months and we already see a more confident and respectful young lady. Thanks Mr. John and Miss Dawn, and welcome to the neighborhood! Please ignore those who may be unkind. Future reviewers, be kind, everyone you meet is fighting a great battle. read more

I took two introductory lessons. I would say the workout was great and the karate teaching competent. I fault Action Karate more for the underlying attitudes and philosophy. Obedience and a kind of military attitude seems to be a premium here. For example, if the teacher teaches something and then asks "is that clear?" the only accepted response is a unified chorus of "YES MAAM!" (or "YES SIR"). After many of the moves, a chorus response from the group is required, for instance: "locked down maam!" (apparently locked down refers to a kind of one legged kneeling position). When the time came to discuss membership, I was simply asked which option for membership I'd like to pick. I was never asked how I found the lessons or whether this approach was for me. I also have to fault the school for a certain cheesy machismo. As in a requirement to chant "WE ARE BLACKBELT SCHOOL." Or "Winners never quit, quiters never win." All in all a great shame. I liked the other participants, the martial arts teaching, and the workout. I just found the teaching atmosphere and approach a huge turnoff. read more

An amazing place for kids to grow, learn and develop skills to be successful in the world. Mr. John and miss. Dawn are awesome.

Action Karate came to our school and helped so many of our students! Can't go wrong!