Karate Schools?

I would really like to send my son to Karate. I have heard it is good discipline and I think it would help his ADD also. Has anyone ever been to karate schools in Hackettstown and if so which one did you like best? :)

I only went to one, Isshin Ryu with John Hughes on Main St.. Not bad. He's been in town for about 30 years (different buildings). He was a teacher and a coach at HHS for a long time before he retired a few years ago. I was there in the late 1980's. It's definitely good for discipline (and balance). He's very into the traditions, especially the history of his school and the first sensei, Shimabuku .

Mr. Hughes is an 8th degree black belt, and it says he is one of 7 people who have ever earned that rank. The highest rank attained by anyone alive today is the 10th.

there's a lot of info on the web site

http://www.isshin-ryu.com/

EB July 25, 2008 1:54 am | Link

My son who is now a senior in high school started Tae Kwon Do a number of years ago and now calls all of the people at Mountain Tae Kwon Do his second family. You couldn't ask for more from a group of people. I am so thankful to them for helping to shape my son into the person that he has become. Thank you Master Joe, Charlie and everyone there. You're the best!!!!

Both my sons attend Quest in Long Valley and I have been very pleased with the instructor there and with their progress. He is very good with kids, and they really do learn self discipline, self control, and a positive attitude.

LVmomofboys July 25, 2008 1:21 pm | Link

I second the recommendation for Mountain Tae Kwon Do - they're great!

MB July 25, 2008 1:28 pm | Link

I thought there was a Karate school with Giant Gymnastics. My kids took a small course there and loved it. I wsnt able to find anything on the BID website but did find this one.

http://www.isshin-ryu.com/

He is a retired school teacher from H'town.

Christine July 25, 2008 1:59 pm | Link

There is a school next to Giant Gymnastics (by Chill Out ice skating) It is Integrated Martial Arts and Fitness. Quite an impressive setup and seem to have plenty of students! That counts for something I suppose.

I apologize. It's Evolutionary Martial Arts, not Integrated.

we like sunkido/karate/martial arts at the riverside plaza, rt. 57 in mansfield. our older son, then 5 years old, visited several karate places. he chose to enroll in sunkido. we took his advice and have no regrets. he turns 8 in august, and has earned his pre-black belt. his younger brother, age 5, started in spring, and has earned his orange belt. staff is super friendly and excellent with kids. the school has competitive rates.

I spent 12 years at the Isshin-Ryu School of Karate before I moved away for college (around 1992-2004). I guess I was about six years old when I started. It's run by John Hughes on Main St. The things you learn there are real, practical, and help you in innumerable ways. I can't speak highly enough of this school or its friendly and experienced instructors and students. It takes hard work and dedication, but the Isshin-Ryu school will help you fulfill your full potential, and I'll always have my 1st place Kumite (sparring) trophy from the Isshin-ryu World Championships as proof. When I was younger I wasn't always interested in extracurricular stuff, but when you put your heart into this you'll want to keep going.

I wouldn't go anywhere else.

Eric July 27, 2008 12:54 pm | Link

The on at the end of Stiger is Evolutionary Martial Arts - 850-6009. He's good with kids also and is a "mixed martial art".

Col July 28, 2008 9:54 am | Link

I hate when I don't proof read well enough -

"the ONE on Stiger"

silly me!

Col July 28, 2008 9:55 am | Link

My son and husband go to the one on Stiger street, Evolutionary Martial Arts, very good school, and different than regular karate schools, what you learn in there is practical; Kickboxing, grappling, jeet kun do (spell?), etc, this type of mixed martial arts is not movement but self defense and builds discipline and self confidence, and they really give a hardy workout. Your child will gain much of the knowledge as if they went to karate but will get in shape and learn skills that will enable them to not be fighters but protect themselves in the eye of danger.