★ 5

My daughter loves Karate and this dojo has helped her so much. She is so confident now in everything she does outside of the dojo. I highly recommend.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

I can't even begin to explain how much I love this place! I began by signing up my kiddo for their 6 week trial, and then I ended up doing it myself. The sensei's here are just wonderful! Not only do they make everything really easy for the kids to understand, they do the same with the adults, when you're a beginner. All of them really try to make sure you're comfortable, and my favorite thing is when you are struggling with something that they also struggled with, they'll straight up tell you. In a, "Yep, I've been there too. I know exactly what's going on. Just keep practicing, you'll get it." Just very encouraging. If you're a beginner, or if you're thinking about signing up your kiddo, but you're unsure, I say do it. You won't regret it! I certainly don't!

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Excellent staff! Sensei Grout focuses on building character and discipline. Kids have been enrolled for several years now and enjoy it. One on one instruction available as time allows for those who need additional instruction.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Good for young kids to get physical activity, learning self defense in a team environment that will teach them self discipline, self worth and individual accomplishments .

Source: Google

★ 5

Two of our grandchildren recently started there . I am incredibly impressed with the one on one attention that the kids get ! They don’t just teach karate, they teach kindness, compassion, strength and family .

I give them 10 gold stars!!!!

Source: Google

★ 5

This place is an awesome place to learn Karate. They are very friendly and helpful. The teachers are very patient and informative!

Source: Google

★ 5

My son has been attending UKO for 2 months and I have to say I have seen a big change in him! He has always been a sweet boy and very empathetic but he has learned discipline and responsibility. Sensei Love is awesome and very good working with the kids! I love sensei grouts enthusiasm and you can really tell that he loves what he does! I look forward to taking my son every week! The atmosphere is awesome and they make you feel like family! I would highly recommend if you are looking to get your child involved in something that teaches good moral principles and self confidence/discipline.

Source: Google

★ 5

Thank you 🙏 it was a pleasant visit with the owner. I want to be a teacher/ instructor/ life coach/ positive role model and mentor. UKO Karate has the right people to put you on the right path of achieving your life's goals and ambitions.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

MY DAUGHTER IS ATTENDING KARATE CLASSES. VERY IMPRESSED.

Source: Google

★ 5

Best gift you can give your family members, Self Esteem, Confidence, Discipline and Exercise! Staff is professional and cares about each and every student. We have been a part of the UKO family for 13 years and wouldn't change a thing!!

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

A great place for your kiddo. They have gone out of their way to keep the kids learning and growing during the quarantin using internet technology. Sensai Love is my son's favorite. They combine martial arts discipline with good citizen lessons making for a student that excels in the class room and in life.

Source: Google

★ 1

We spent over two years with them and was dropped like a hot potato because we didn't do their zoom classes on line.

Source: Google

★ 2

It takes the COVID-19 situation to see the true colors of a business. I was charged for the month of April 2020 and could not attend their Zoom classes nor any of their in-person classes due to COVID-19. They refused to refund the amount for that month. I met with Janice Record in-person to request a refund. She claimed I was "hostile" and "yelling" and refused my request stating that I was under contract even though no services were available to me. I requested to discuss the matter with Sensei Grout and thank him for teaching us, but was told by Janice that he was "unavailable".

Now, the review of the karate school. This is not a bad martial arts school by any means. It is also not great. The karate style taught is very traditional. It is heavily geared towards kids. Prior to the pandemic, there was no parking, crowded attendance, and back-to-back classes that made the transition into class very difficult. If they could have allowed for a 15 minute break between classes to allow instructors and students to exit the parking lot and clean down the dojo, it would have improve the atmosphere. The amount of people packed in the dojo made it ideal for spreading germs.

I have taken various martial arts classes from Tae kwon do, Muay Thai, boxing, Kempo karate, Aikido, and ameuter wrestling. Do not expect to be able to handle yourself in a physical conflict after a year. It will take time because of how the lessons are structured. Other schools will adapt their training regimen to keep up new techniques, holds and counters. This school does not. Sparring is not frequent. Kids can get out-of-hand at times in these classes. The adult classes are offered later in the evening, but attendance is usually sparse. There is only one bathroom available per gender, which makes it difficult for everyone. There is not much room for changing into your uniform so it's best to arrive with your uniform on.

The cost is also a huge hurdle. They offer the 6-week trial for a "discounted" rate of $79 now (used to be $69). If you continue the cost jumps to $170/month or more for one child in their black belt program. If you are on a family plan it was $330 or more. If they made this pricing structure upfront, it would clearly scare families away. My kids have been here since age 4. They enjoyed their time and what they learned, but if you are a parent who has studied martial arts and know the importance of mixed-martial arts (diversified fighting styles) vs. one-style fighting it might not be a good choice for you or your kids. Sensei Roland Edgar is no longer with this school. My kids loved how he taught and interacted with them.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 3

The tenets UKO follows are great for the kids. The staff and instructors are very friendly and the kids have fun. I have two issues that prevent me from giving them 5 stars. 1. The cost. They advertise six weeks for $79. When that is over the cost increases SUBSTANTIALLY. You will pay anywhere from $179 to OVER $200 a month. Many people cannot afford this. This information should be provided to parents up front. Not after the child has been there for 6 weeks. 2. There are A LOT of kids there at the same time. I don't feel like they get the attention they need to learn the correct form and advance. They use student teachers which is good, but I believe the teachers need more instruction in teaching/guiding. Anyway, I think it is a good place in general. Fix the pricing transparency and the instructing and I'd give it a five star.

Source: Google

★ 5

Well trained people. Hard Work.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Excellent, well trained instructors. Got my first job from here. Was my first sport in school. Joined at a young age and loved it the whole way through. Learned a lot of valuable life lessons and coping skills. Gave me great self confidence and motivation. Would highly recommend to anyone looking to learn a martial art or to try something new.

Source: Google

★ 5

I started with UKO in the early 90's, watched the dojo grow and expand, and expand again (!) but more importantly, have seen so many people of all ages achieve their goals there. Students learn that it is indeed possible, through determination, focus, and hard work, to do that which they may never have thought they could do.

Source: Google

★ 5

UKO is a top-notch karate school that I would strongly recommend to anyone interested in karate, self defense, exercise, or a new perspective on life. The instructors are incredible! Training is a class-based environment where everyone is given individual attention and personal goals for improvement. The training is equally challenging and rewarding.

Sensei Grout will always be a role model and hero to me. The confidence, leadership ability, and perseverance that I learned during my time at UKO has served me well in all aspects of my life. Much of my success now would not have been possible without the skills I learned through this training.

This dojo is absolutely worth your time.

Source: Google

★ 5

We can’t believe how much our children love karate, and it’s because of the instructors at UKO Karate. The instructors care about each and every student, always encouraging them to do and be their best. We know our children will be attending karate class at UKO Karate for years to come. UKO Karate is helping our children build the skills and the confidence to take on karate... and the world.

- Deborah and David Irons

Source: Google

★ 5

It is hard to imagine what my life would be like if I hadn’t taken the journey to black belt at UKO Karate. They helped me move from a place of fear and nervousness to a place of self-confidence and courage. It was a long journey but worth it.

UKO Karate develops the mind, body and spirit. The classes are not just about the physical aspects of karate, the body, but also about the mind and the spirit. Respect, self-confidence, courage and developing a spirit of never giving up are emphasized in every class.

Sensei Grout has the karate classes planned out in a progression of lessons that build and develop your skills and prepares you for the next level. Each level is progressively more difficult but seems easy because you are building skills as you go. The instructors are great about helping you improve your techniques during class.

As an older adult, I really like that UKO Karate is a non-contact dojo. Yes, I get an occasional bump or bruise but for the most part I don’t worry about getting injured every time I go to class. When I first started I was watching one of the upper belt classes free spare and wondered, “How can they go all out like that and not get hurt or hit each other?” UKO teaches control, precision and power. The control and precision are what allows us to go all out without hitting or hurting each other.

Over the last twelve years during my journey from white belt to black belt at UKO Karate, I have been able to learn so many things; Karate, self-defense techniques, eskrima/arnis fighting sticks, nunchucks, Kendo sword fighting, sai, bow staff, knife and gun disarms, and walking cane self-defense.

Karate will always be in my heart and the spirit of never giving up is a way of life now.

Thank you Sensei Grout, Sensei Roland, Sensei Record and all the instructors at UKO Karate for helping me on my journey.

Source: Google

★ 5

If you are looking for people who truly care about and encourage your child to do well, UKO Karate is the place to go. The instructors are very knowledgeable in the art and take their job seriously. They are great role models. Our son has gone to UKO since he was six years old. He aspires to be a black belt and open his own dojo someday. The skies the limit and dreams can be reached. Thank you Sensei Grout and staff for making a positive impact in my son's life. You care not only about the student but his/her family as well.

Source: Google

★ 5

UKO Karate is the best! I started taking lessons there when I was about 12. (I'm 22 now) I started out really shy, my parents were hoping it would spark a little confidence. It absolutely did! I'm not sure I was even there for a year before I started helping teach the younger students, I attended any class I could get in to, any day of the week. Currently thanks to something called life, I'm taking a little break due to time constraints (full time working, full time student), but as soon as I get college out of the way I will go back without a doubt! UKO and it's amazing instructors (as well as the students who are still my friends) have done wonderful things for my self esteem, confidence, I've learned important life lessons, and picked up a wonderful way to work out and defend myself if I need to. Thanks UKO!!

Source: Google

★ 5

I have been with UKO Karate in Port Orchard for nearly 25 years, and I am not finished yet! I had tried Shotokan and American Free Style Karate before I found UKO, and in those 25 years I have visited numerous other schools in the USA and Europe.
I have come to the conclusion UKO is the best karate school I have ever encountered.
Sensei Grout, the lead instructor, has managed to balance the rigors of karate training with an enjoyable, fun, dojo. His concern and care for all his students is reflected in their skill and devotion to him and to karate.
Is it easy to get a black belt at UKO? Depends what you mean by easy. If you train consistently and regularly Sensei Grout will tell you most students can get a black belt in 4-6 years. You may find some styles will give you a black belt after 2 years. That is the difference - the training and a black belt from UKO is worth the extra effort and time.
If you are interested in karate I suggest you look around to see what other schools are available and how they teach, then go to UKO.

Source: Google

★ 5

UKO is one of the few schools that still focus on the traditional aspects of karate. They teach with the traditional foundation based on respect, discipline, honor and integrity. With this method they are able to help develop kids to become good citizens and future leaders while still having fun at the dojo. Use one of the many trail offer they have and see for yourself. I highly recommend them. Five stars all day!

Source: Google

★ 5

It is an amazing karate school I love the instructors and the class material. I love the experience and hope more people try it too.

Source: Google

★ 5

I have the utmost respect for UKO and Sensei Grout, Sensei Record, Sensei Edgar and the entire Staff. Discipline and respect are taught with patience and encouragement.

Sensei Grout is a giver...to the community...to our kids...to their future!

Source: Google