Go-Kan-Ryu · Est. 1984
Karate for Everyone
Fun, fitness with a purpose. Traditional, non-contact karate for children, adults and whole families — taught the same way in every dojo, in three countries, since 1984.
Non-contact training
Families train together
AU · NZ · UK
First class free
Getting started
Your first class
Your first class
is free
No experience. No equipment. No obligation.
First class
$0
Everyone
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Find your nearest dojo
Over 700 dojos and more than 2,500 classes every week across Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
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Book your free trial
Your details go straight to your local senior instructor, who'll welcome you to class.
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Turn up and train
Comfortable clothes, 20 minutes early — the rest is taken care of.
42+Years of karate
2,500+Classes each week
3Countries
18Belt ranks to master
Karate for Everyone
GKR Karate offers
GKR Karate offers
classes for…
GKR Karate offers classes for…
Ages 5–12
Kids
Karate is the ideal sport for kids for building self-confidence, balance, co-ordination, discipline and courtesy…
Learn more Ages 13–17Teens
Karate is the ideal sport for teenagers for building self-confidence, fitness, flexibility, discipline…
Learn more Ages 18+Adults
As we get older the responsibilities begin to mount up.
Learn more All agesWomen
Karate is an ideal sport for women because it teaches self-defence while providing a full-body workout.
Learn more All agesMen
As we get older the responsibilities begin to mount up.
Learn more 50 and upSeniors
Karate is the ideal activity for the people in their twilight years for a number of reasons:
Learn more Train togetherFamilies
Karate is an ideal activity for families because it allows people of all ages to train together in the same class.
Learn more
Why GKR Karate
More than
More than
a martial art
GKR is a family club dedicated to fostering sound values and developing strong, humble, brave individuals and healthy communities.
- Build a stronger mind and body
- Feel more confident and self-assured
- Enhance your fitness
- Become more self-disciplined
- Improve your concentration and behaviour
- Develop inner calm and reduce stress levels
- Achieve your Black Belt
Self Defence
Synonymous with martial arts, self defence and inner self confidence are one of the key takeaways from regular training. From the age of 5 GKR teaches basic self defence and extraction moves, continuing right through to our senior grades.
Weight Loss
Karate is a great way to lose or maintain a healthy weight, with most classes consisting of aerobic, stretching and toning activities. For those who may not have exercised in some time, GKR provides a supportive environment where students can train at their own pace and physical ability. Our classes are a mixture of men, women and children of all ages.
Focus
Many parents are keen to see their children develop greater focus and discipline through their martial arts training, and GKR’s classes provide the perfect environment. Instructors teach in a respectful and supportive atmosphere through karate inspired games, activities and drills.
Family
GKR promotes a family environment, encouraging kids, parents and relatives to all train in the same class. Staying a few karate grades behind your children, will encourage them to continue a regular training program.
Respect
As a traditional Japanese martial arts, karate promotes respect to our instructors, our club, each other and most importantly ourselves. This is a key part of your learnings as a student of GKR karate.
Friendships
Although karate is considered a solo sport, it is still the foundation for many life long friendships. Classes include games and partner work where children and adults alike take the opportunity to learn about and bond with their fellow class mates.
The belt journey
White belt to
White belt to
Black Belt
Eighteen ranks, each one a rung on the ladder. Every step has a minimum number of classes, a minimum time and its own kata — so you always know exactly what you are working on, and in what order.
White 10th Kyu
Every journey starts here. Your first night: the dojo, the bow, the stances and the first blocks and strikes.
Green 6th Kyu
Your first two kata, performed to the count. The step up in classes and months is real — this is where the journey lengthens.
32 classes · 4 months minimum · Taikyoku Shodan & Taikyoku Nidan
Brown 3rd Kyu
The long apprenticeship for black begins, and the same kata is now judged on principle rather than pattern.
50 classes · 6 months minimum · Bassai Dai
Black Shodan Ho
Provisional Black Belt. The standard has been set — now it has to be proven over a full year before Shodan.
50 classes · 6 months minimum · Sanseru / Sepai
Member stories
From the mat
Students and parents from all three countries, in their own words.
“Training with GKR Karate changed not only my life but my family's too.”
“Started training at 47 years young and am now 55 and still going strong!”
“I signed my children up in 2013 and watched them from the sidelines — now we all train together.”
“I'm stronger, fitter, more confident and have made so many friends in the club.”
“My girls were being bullied at school. I signed them up for karate — the confidence it has given them is remarkable.”
“I was so nervous to start training but it's been the best thing I've ever done.”
From the club
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No experience needed
Your journey starts
Your journey starts
with one free class
Every Black Belt in the club once walked into their first class as a white belt. Find your nearest dojo and take the first step.