Dojo Karate Vs. Karate At Home

So you want to practice Karate.

Maybe you recently watched the Shang Chi Movie, Cowboy Bebop, or enjoy the Cobra Kai Series on Netflix?

You did some martial arts as a kid and want to get back into it but keep telling yourself you just "don't have time"?

I feel you.

One of my biggest regrets in life was the 4 year semi-hiatus I took from serious training to pursue a music career, which ultimately failed and simultaneously hindered my flexibility.

It's never too late to put in the work and make your body a deadly Karate weapon.

In this article we will discuss the pros and cons of Dojo Karate and Practicing Karate at Home. I'll throw in some of my personal experiences of the Dojo closing down due to pandemic influence and my transition to home karate training and how that's going as well.

Dojo Karate

I most literally grew up in a Dojo, my dad was the Sensei and owner of a large renowned Karate School. However, while you may think that's great, most of my time in the Dojo was spent helping out teaching or training the juniors and not a lot of time was left for me to put in work for my own training.

I was often left exhausted and had to practice after hours, on the weekends, or in the back yard at home.

Dojo Karate has a ton of Pros for me.

PROS include:

• Having Teachers to Correct Your Technique
• Peers to Compete / Rival with
• Training Partners
• Nice Mirrors and Floors
• Instructors to Motivate you
• Ability to ask questions in person
• 1 on 1 training
• Structured work outs and Karate classes
• Nice setting for karate instagram photos and videos

Dojo Karate has it's Cons too.

Dojo Karate CONS include:

• Waiting in line
• Driving to and from the Dojo
• Set class times
• Having to follow a structured lesson
• At times practicing something you're not interested in
• Getting injured / accidents
• Rivalries or animosity
• Frustration
• Dojo Fees
• Getting sweaty in front of other people
• Judgement by your peers

Practicing Karate at Home

Motivation is the hardest thing to come by when you're at home, I've set Google calendars to assist in being more timely and organized.

Practicing at home when done correctly is great because you have access to all the amenities you need, food, water etc and can wear whatever you want.

The hardest part is forcing yourself to actually practice and not be lazy when doing so.

In the Dojo, people watch you and motivate you to train hard. Your Sensei or Coach is nearby to bark instructions or fine tune techniques.

When Coronavirus hit, many karate dojo, including my parent's, were mandated to close down for an unknown time. After 4 months with no income, my Dad decided to close the doors forever.

It was either quit Karate or train at home for me.

Now many Dojo are back up and running and you can pick one to train at or train at home.

Karate at Home PROs:

• Unlimited time and resources
• No class times
• Taking Breaks
• Snacks
• Music
• Indoor or Outdoor choice
• Setting the temperature where you want
• Doing your own thing
• Creating your lesson plans
• Working on the things you're interested in
• No judgements
• Work out anywhere, anytime
• Wear whatever you'd like

Karate at Home CONS:

• No teacher to help
• Often no Mirrors or Mats
• Nobody to motivate you or tell you what to practice
• No training partners
• Self defense impossible to practice
• No social interactions with similar people

Best Way to Practice Karate at Home

Weighing in everything I think creating a home dojo is the way to go if you want to do Karate at home. This way you can invite training partners over for sessions and even book private lessons with Sensei.

Things you will need to make the perfect Home Dojo.

1. Mats
2. Mirrors
3. Resistance Bands
4. Karate Gi
5. Punching Bag

That's it! Choose an open space, extra room, or spot outside to create your perfect home dojo. You can even rent rooms in a community center or local gym or fitness center if you can't create a dojo at home.

Martial Arts Near Me

Check out this map to see what schools are near you if you decide to try in person Dojo Karate lessons. I've made this helpful map based on the search for "Martial Arts Near Me".

About the Author:

Kyoshi Colton Woodard

@theamericansamurai

7th Dan Kuniba Kai Shitoryu

Instructor & Blogger, Japan Travel Enthusiast & Ramen Connoisuer

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