Shotokan Karate FAQ – Answers to Your Most Common Questions
Questions And Answers
There is no stipulated time frame between gradings as many of our members have trained before, some members seem to fast track through the first 3 or 4 gradings. Our offline Dojo has examinations every three months, but really its all down to the individual, as people progress at different speeds.
The monthly Dojo fee you pay from the start, will remain the same, but new members who take up this offer may pay more in the future.
Depending on what package you go for, determines the testing. For The Ultimate Package members there is no grading/testing fee, all the way to 1st Degree Black Belt.
Everyone else has the option to purchase the tests as and when they are ready for an extra fee.
There is a higher fee associated with the black belt test, as this test is the big one and very time consuming.
We do ask our members to get their own karate uniform (gi) and belts when they pass their rank tests. Our members receive really beautiful digital certificates when they pass and also have the opportunity to order printed certificates direct to their home (image below).

We would prefer our karateka to wear Gi for testing, but this is optional and up to each member.
All fitness levels are suitable because you train at home and only do what you feel you can handle, you are in total control, the fitter you get, the more you can put into your karate practice.
You do not need much space at all, even with the kata, we have a technique where you can practice the whole kata in a five foot square space
We have members that have injuries and they work around those injuries, we have some members that do not kick and thats fine, they focus more on upper body work.
We do like our members to video their exams in a karate uniform (gi), but this is not compulsory. We have a Dojo patch (see question 7) Other equipment is purely optional, as in a punch bag, makiwara (striking board), recommended books, etc.
This is a very good question and one of the hardest things about training at home. One of the most important concepts of karate is Ikken Hissatsu or to finish with one blow. We try and instill this concept in our members by explaining that when blocking and attacking techniques are practiced at speed, they should be executed as if your life depends on it, when you hit the makiwara a full speed, you should not just try to hit it, but break it,destroy it! (obviously after you have executed hundreds of techniques lightly.
It can accomplished quite quickly, but is entirely down to the individual and also the results can sometimes be very confusing and not make sense at all, let me explain.....If someone is practicing once per week and someone else is practicing three times per week, you would expect the person practicing three times per week to way more advanced after six months, but it depends completely on the attitude of the karateka whilst training, if someone is totally focused and applying the concept of Ikken Hissatsu with all their fast moves and train once per week, they will be way stronger and progress much faster than someone training three times per week, but simply going through the movements with no intent, so it's all down to the attitude of the karateka.
MOST POPULAR
Monthly Inc Testing
Most popular for Shotokan karateka wanting Ranki Progression ( 7 day free trial)
$29.99
POPULAR FOR FAST PROGRESS
Inner Circle
For Karateka wanting to fast track and take their karate to the next level!
$49.99