The metro Atlanta area in the state of Georgia features many karate clubs where martial arts enthusiasts can explore and train in the popular Japanese martial arts karate. These karate clubs feature certified instructors and offer classes for a wide array of people from novices to experts and from children to adults. They usually offer additional classes every summer to cater to students who want to train in karate during their vacation.
Basic Requirements for Training
Atlanta karate clubs typically allow a newcomer without any karate uniform yet to wear loose clothing such as T-shirt and pants. However, it is important to buy a traditional karate uniform as soon as possible. Many dojos/studios also sell uniforms, or at least can recommend places where to buy them. Students are also allowed to wear a collarless white garment under the uniform jacket. Nails must be trimmed short when in class. Jewelries must be removed prior to the start of the class.
Karate Styles and Ranking Tests
While requirements for examinations vary per karate club, each club administers rank tests by schedule. In Atlanta karate clubs, these are typically given locally, about three times a year. These tests are designed to assess the participant's level of mastery on the various aspects of training.
Basic aspects of training utilizes the "kihon" (a performance employing prearranged drills in pairs or small groups), "kata" (a formalized sequence of movements representing various offensive and defensive postures that are based on idealized combat applications) and "kumite" (application of skill for sparring). To attain a formal rank, the student must demonstrate competent performance specific to his/her intended level.
Children Classes
With the relatively high demand from students who want to learn karate in metro Atlanta, karate clubs in the area generally provide studios that look encouraging to students, especially children. Interestingly, in clubs such as the JKA Atlanta Shotokan Karate Club and Imperatori Karate, many of those who started in classes nearly a decade ago continue their classes as teenagers.
For children classes, apart from the karate training in kicking, punching, blocking and yelling, parents are requested to bring their children's report cards to their karate classes as part of Home Achievement Report programs needed when the students test for new belts. This instills on them the correlation between success in karate, in school and even in other facets of their young lives.
Adult Classes
Encouraging families to train together, adult classes are also held in Atlanta karate clubs. There are classes primarily meant for those aiming for a black belt; and there are classes meant for those who want to keep themselves skilled in self-defense and make themselves physically fit. Classes generally blend traditional karate techniques valuable in sports and in application in real-life situations.
Summer Classes
Atlanta karate clubs usually hire camp counselors for children and teenagers who want to train in karate every summer vacation. Most summer boot camps not only offer regular karate classes but they also feature other activities such as games, art and recreational projects and special awards by the end of the boot camps. Most of these programs also provide students with class credits that can count directly towards karate belts and stripes.
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