Reviews of Ichiban Karate and Kickbox

Sensei Kaela, Sensei Stan, and Sensei Brett are carrying on a 25+ year tradition at Ichiban begun by the late Kyoshi Chick Gavitt. A wonderful family atmosphere, with excellent classes for all ages. My son and I both train here, and could not be happier. I would highly recommend Ichiban Karate & Fitness.

I've been a student at Ichiban for 4 years and it's truly changed my life. I'm in significantly better shape, i have definitely developed skills in Karate and Thai, I've met a ton of great people, and I've been encouraged to pursue constant improvement and have met a number of goals that I never would have tried before.

My sons have also trained there and it worked wonders for their focus and fitness. They grew so much in the act of setting goals, being challenged to meet them, and then finally succeeding.

I couldn't recommend Ichiban more for adults and youth.

My child has been attending Ichiban classes for about 5 years. The programs and instructors for younger children (typically green belt or lower rank) can't be beat. The instructors are very good (especially Sensei Kayla). The only issue I have with some of the intermediate classes is that they are often taught by youth, and not by professional instructors, and yet the cost is the same as if you were being taught by those instructors. And some of the youth who are teaching lack proficiency and teaching skill. However, my child will probably not be renewing his yearly class contract because he is bored with the classes at his advanced level. They concentrate more on kickboxing than on actual karate, kata, and sparring, what he is supposed to be learning. It becomes very expensive to participate in school competitions and other activities because there is an extra (sometimes prohibitive) cost for nearly everything. This is on top of the monthly payment. And they require family members to pay in order to attend competitions in which their children compete. With an average $50 fee to compete, and another $20, at least, in admission fees to observe my child, it becomes a financial burden at times for my child to join in and test his skills. In addition, unless you join the Black Belt Club, you cannot participate in weapons training. In order to be part of the "elite" Black Belt Club, you must renew for three years at a time rather than just a year at a time. If your child stops attending any time during those three years, you are still obligated to continue paying for the duration of the contract. Personally, I can't guarantee what my kids will be doing next week, never mind three years from now. Over the last year or so, the quality of the karate training has definitiely slipped. This may be because there are so many different things being offered at Ichiban now that staff and owner have lost focus on their original goal - to offer quality karate training for South County. So while I would highly recommend Ichiban for younger, lower level belt instruction, I hesitate to do so at their more advanced levels of instruction (outside of Sensei Brett).

Great family school! Awesome kickboxing program!

Great family school! Awesome kickboxing program!

Great family school! Awesome kickboxing program!