Rifkin Professional Karate Center in Boone County

Great lesson for kids!

Master Rifkin is an amazing teacher and always supports you as your talents grow. For someone who is just starting out and does not have the best mind body coordination he is always supportive and passionate about what he does. You don’t just get belts because you’ve been there for a certain amount of time, you earn it. Confidence is something I lack and the more I grow in my talents it grows that confidence not only in class but in life in general. Would highly recommend!!

If I had to sum up RPKC in one word, it would be "integrity." Our son started Little Warriors last summer and we couldnt possibly be more pleased. Martial arts, of course, is a great way for kids to be active. But at RPKC, it goes so much further beyond learning self-defense. Kids are taught how to show respect to others, their instructor, the institution and themselves. Master Rifkin is an honest and fair business man as well as being invested in the advancement of his students. He calls each student by their name and looks them in the eye, which in my opinion, is such a great way to show and teach basic respect. We are very thankful for Master Rifkin and RPKC!!

My son had trouble excelling at sports, we tried everything, and then he started Karate at Rifkins. What a difference it has made in his life! He is happier, more confident, has made many new friends!I recommend this place to everyone! Best place for martial arts hands down!!!

RPKC is a great place for kids and adults to learn technique, confidence, self-discipline and self-defense. Rifkin is a master of the art with a great teaching style and tons of experience. Its been a joy seeing my son grow so much through the teachings of Master Rifkin. I would recommend his dojo to anyone. Hi-ya!

Our son has been enrolled for a little more than a year and is thriving in Master Rifkins program. He has grown in confidence, determination, hard work, focus, and attention to detail.Master Rifkin is an amazing mentor for these kids. Highly recommended!

I am sharing my experience of Master Rifkin and Rifkin Pro Karate after being a student for close to a decade. Prior to joining, I had tried a number of different schools that felt more like daycare than real instruction. From the first day I started at Rifkin Pro Karate, until my last, the school maintained the high quality of training that drew me into the school.Master Rifkin has built a system based on discipline, attention to detail, and practical techniques that is unrivaled. Best yet, Master Rifkin gets right in there with you, from white belt childrens classes, to advanced adult instruction, always putting his best for his students.Looking back at my time at RIfkin Pro Karate, it was without a doubt, one of the most positive influences on my youth. If youre a parent looking for the best karate center for your child, look no further. I only wish we lived closer to take our children.

My son has been studying under Master Rifkin for a year now. I couldnt be happier with how his confidence has excelled in the last year. He is more out going and shows a level of self discipline that I would not expect from a 9 year old. He enjoys the physical challenge that Karate offers along with the new friendships that have come from it. Master Rifkins teaching is more than self defense. He and his team also teach important life skills. I would recommend his school to anyone.

Going to R.P.K.C is the path to inner recovery. As a student at R.P.K.C I have felt that every class has made me stronger, energetic, and makes me a happier person in general. I always look forward to entering the studio and experiencing its energetic scent which encourages me to bring out the best in me through kicks, punches, and martial arts techniques. Outside the studio, karate guarantees that I will be able to keep myself and my loved ones safe, and stay focused on my tasks in and outside of school. Karate also helps me not only stay healthy physically, but also mentally prepares me for times of problem-solving and struggles. The most important thing that makes R.P.K.C so special is Master Rifkin and all its student’s which makes family-like bonds. Master Rifkin is an excellent teacher with a great sense of humor. His teaching methods are very impactful. When I first met him I knew that I wanted to join R.P.K.C. As I advance in the Martial Arts I keep in mind all the good memories and hard work I have experienced throughout my time at R.P.K.C.

Master Rifkin’s karate is the best! My son had gained not only karate skills but confidence and friendships as well!

Hands down, the staff is amazing! Ive seen a noticeable (positivedifference in my childs self esteem since hes been enrolled at Rifkin Karate & he feels like he really belongs. I cannot thank Mr.Rifkin & his staff enough for having such a positive influence on him! I only wish Id enrolled him sooner.

Amazing place to train and learn to defend yourself in actual world like situations. Also a great way to work out. Highly recommended.

If you are in Columbia, MO area or closer and looking for martial arts for your kids (or yourself), you are looking at the very best & absolutely right place. The program is very high in quality. Master Rifkin delivers what he promises. He is very professional, fully committed and a good role model for the kids. Expectations are high and your kid will learn to work towards reaching a goal, be resilient and persistent. My son has been here for more than 2 years and loves it. I have been in the studio for pretty much every class (prior to COVID-19and have seen the training and instructions, simply amazing. Once you are there, you’ll know the difference.

My twins have been seeing Master Rifkin for about 9 months now and the amount of confidence I have seen in them is staggering. If youre looking to add to your childs confidence and self defense at the same time, I HIGHLY recommend RPKC for this. Well worth it. My twins love going to karate every week.

Very professional while still being a very caring staff. Rifkin is an excellent instructor and our 11 year old daughter has thoroughly enjoyed her time here.

I dont often give 5 stars but this facility and its staff are truly there for the students always. Yes its pricey compared to some others but the respect and results speak volumes about the owner and his ways, making the cost more than affordable.

My son is getting great instruction at Rifkin Karate Center. Once the COVID crisis hit, I wasn’t sure what would happen. Master Rifkin quickly put all classes online for easy to access, while the studio formulated a plan for return. I am so impressed with what they are doing. Online or in person classes so we each have options or backup plans. Temp checks, masks and hand sanitizer are used and a limited number of people are allowing in the building at a time. I feel that he is looking out to keep everyone safe and engaged at the same time.

During the COVID-19 stay at home order, our son is using the virtual, private lessons and they are beneficial both physically and emotionally. These lessons help him stay in shape, in practice and mentally connected to the discipline. They are helping him stay on track, and motivate him to practice every day. I highly recommend these virtual lessons.

Master Rifkin has been teaching my son for over two years now and this review is long overdue. I wouldnt consider taking him anywhere else. The growth I have seen has been amazing to watch and I attribute it to the skill that Master Rifkin has as an instructor. It is of utmost importance to him that his students get the best possible teaching that can be delivered to them, and it shows in his students. Lately, with the social distancing, he has gone to private lessons via zoom and my son has loved it. It has been the highlight of his week and allows for 1 on 1 instruction time ,maintaining the quality that is so important to Master Rifkin. I highly recommend the virtual training that he is offering right now

Im really grateful for Master Rifkin teaching my son and deeply inspired by his passion and energy. Highly recommend!

There are no words to properly describe my children’s experience with Rifkin. Their belt colors represent where their are in their karate journey, but I see much more than that. I’ve watched them grow physically stronger. I’ve seen their eyes get huge as they watch the belts above them, thinking they could not get there - but they have. I’ve experienced their change in focus, discipline, and confidence. I’ve read their essays (required to test for advanced belt), which brought me to tears to know what karate means in each of their hearts. They have shifted from the little girls just going to karate class to little girls who have set their sights on that black belt. They talk about focus, and fire, and life...and protecting themselves and people they love.I have found an unexpected peacefulness with this. As a parent, my job is to ensure they are ready to go out into the world. My kids’ strength, confidence, and skills have already reached a level beyond my expectations. Should they decide to travel the world someday, I have no doubt they will be as safe and prepared as any of us can hope to be.

I came to Master Rifkin because my son was having trouble in school in different aspects. I had no idea when he began karate how much of a positive change I was going to see! We look forward to every class. Rifkin Professional Karate is by far one of the best schools and all the staff are amazing with the kids, we love it!

My 7 year old daughter has been attending since January of this year (2016and has been hooked ever since. The transformation I have seen in her in is unbelievable. We attended our first competition today and she did amazing! I can not wait to see her progress more! We have always felt very welcomed by all who attend as well as parents. We truly feel like part of a family with Rifkin Professional KarateEdit: we are now on year 4 with Rifkin and my daughter is apart of the Demonstration team. She LOVES being apart of something so special and this year in 2019 we have competed in Ozark Mountain National and taken 1st. These kids have put their energy into being the best there is. And this truly feels like a family! If you miss class parents start to worry not only about your student but about you! I highly recommend this school!

It was fun and exciting for my kid to exceed in something that he always wanted to learn about

It has been a honor to attend the Rifkin Pro Karate since I was 8 years old. I was an adopted only child that wanted friends and confidence. Rifken Pro Karate trained us and did not give us advancements without hard work. I was never handed a belt for just showing up it took testing the skills I have learned from day one. Working with master Rifken and his staff helped me become the man I am today. I worked with Master Rifken and his other instructors daily and was expected to perform at a high level and never quit. From the moment I was accepted into the program and applying myself gave me confidence, self esteem, and discipline. I also made some close friends and had positive role models. It was well worth the time and effort. Due to the discipline I have been taught from Master Rifken I am a Eagle Scout, a Cop for several years and married to my beautiful Wife since 2016. I am forever grateful to Master Rifken and his Staff of highly accomplished Black Belt Instructors.I can promise you with hard work and discipline you too can succeed at the Rifken Professional Karate studio. Do not hesitate to be better here.Sincerely I. Hare

I joined RPKC about a year ago when I joined my kids who were also training there. Although I used to work out regularly prior to joining, I have found out that I have grown in strength, resolve and stamina. Not only that, but I have realized that I have started to employ Master Rifkins techniques on a daily basis, unrelated to martial arts...or so I thought. I regularly face the task of trying to explain complex conditions to patients in simple terms. I believe I have been doing better by incorporating his simple matter of fact ways of teaching in my daily routine while working or even when interacting with my children. It is fantastic how karate has effected my life in a positive way. To all those out there who are still having second thoughts about joining if they are older or not in shape..I suggest to jump right in and discover how this will transform your life, every day will be more alert, active and enjoyable. Best of luck!

Columbia! You are fortunate to have Rifkin Pro Karate in your city! My children and wife attended Rifkin Pro Karate for years while Master Rifkin was living in Southern California. Master Rifkin and his assistants were all fantastic and incredible with children and adults. My children learned discipline, honor, and self-defense skills that will continue to assist them for decades to come. We could have chosen a number of different sports or activities for our children (and my children have succeeded in severalbut always stuck with Master Rifkin because of the clear benefit his instruction had on them. An incredible positive impact and worth the time and costs. I truly believe that a part of my sons and daughters success in school were due to their lessons received at Rifkin Pro Karate. I would encourage anyone thinking about martial arts training in Columbia and the surrounding areas to give Master Rifkin a shot. You will not be disappointed. And, if you are fortunate to work hard and put in the training to earn a black belt (or watch a son or daughter earn one), you will never forget that incredible day.

WARNING: this place may be great for karate, but he uses member solutions to manage his billing and then doesnt care when the company scams you. If he cared at all he would work to resolve billing issues because they would respond to him! Just look up how horrible member solutions is.. and know you will be trapped into 150/mo because of Rifkin!

Good sound teaching with an emphasis on techniques and self defense.

Master Rifkin is a gifted teacher and really inspires his students to do better. His sense of humor and high expectations make a big difference. Since starting karate last year my son has grown in discipline and self confidence in addition to getting in better shape.

Best place to learn all aspects of Karate. My son has been learning with Master Rifkin since age of 5. Now he is 10 years old with Red-Belt and continuing his journey to Black-Belt. I have seen him developed in all aspect of life i.e. education, discipline, motivation & drive to continue and above all RESPECT for others.Master Rifkin is gift to Columbia, MO and I am proud to have my son train under him for 5 years.

It is the best place for karate and martial arts. We love the place and my daughter learned so much from master Rifkin. Master Rifkin is an extra ordinary teacher with amazing teaching skills. We had to move from Columbia to Memphis for my job. We will miss Rifkin Karate.

Our 10 year old daughter has been in a number of activities in the past but none consistently held her interest until we started with Rifkin Karate in the fall. Unlike most other practices these trainings are amazing to watch. You can watch kids of all attitudes, abilities and coordination levels develop before your eyes from week to week. Its a remarkable school led by a natural teacher who is demanding but fair and fun. Id give six stars if I could.

Master Rifkin teaches more than karate! Respect, dedication are just a couple examples. Also like that it wasnt a "watered down" version for my 7 year old!

We have been taking our second grade son to Mr. Rifkin for more than a month now. I can not say enough positive things about JD and the staff. The facility is great with an excellent location and the way he instills discipline and respect into the children is nothing less than top notch! I would recommend Rifkin Professional Karate to anyone!

There are several karate schools in Columbia, but none are as amazing as Rifkin’s!Here you will find excellent and professional teaching but also support and encouragement every step of the way.Master Rifkin has the rare ability of finding your hidden strengths and working on those to guide you from white belt to black, as he never gives up on you.He also knows your weaknesses and he works on those too. He tells his students to work harder on what they are not good at and never give up.When I started I knew nothing about karate and I was a very sedentary person (your typical couch potato), now I can’t wait to get to class and learn new material and be challenged by a difficult kick or block.What I have learned in this dojo, let’s be honest, is not for showcase or competition, as I am far from being a teenager full of energy and flexible, but for myself, for self confidence, improvement, self defense, energy and best of all FUN!Don’t misunderstand me, I could possibly compete (that’s how well Master Rifkin works on each studentand I am more flexible than I have EVER been as a teenager, but what I got out of karate at this dojo is the love for the discipline, the passion for something for me so foreign and the confidence to try something new, beyond my limited world of experience.I would recommend this school to the young experienced person who wants to excel in the discipline, as well as to the older person who has no clue if he/she can even break a sweat without passing out LOL!If in doubt, try it out for that great month trial which absolutely gives you an idea of what to expect and how you will progress.Come and join us at Rifkin’s dojo, you will find great karate, great teaching, and a fun karate family to progress with!Thank you Master Rifkin for choosing this small town of Columbia to invest your wonderful karate teaching skills in.All your students truly appreciate you and love you!

This place has changed my life! Before coming here, I was a very lazy, weak person. But Master Rifkin helped me to become the strong, independent orange belt I am today!

In 2007 after 8 very long years of getting my butt handed to me on the mat, I received my first black belt under Master Rifkin and became the first female to do so at Rifkin Pro Karate. I had a few friends training at the time but after visiting various schools, watching or participating, I realized the difference in training I was receiving. Kicks and punches being held to a higher standard because when you throw them correctly, you can stop them as well, especially if you realize mid kick that it has more power than you anticipated. Watch other schools, do they point/flex their toes/feet on the varying kicks? Are theyre hands down when they kick? Are the arms flailing about with no control or sense over what your body is doing? Master Rifkin notices and they do not skirt by him because proper technique will save your life. I was never treated differently as a female as well which is an invaluable tool in learning martial arts. I knew some ladies that were taking classes at other places that never even stepped into a ring with a male or even someone bigger than them. I thought that was such a disservice to the student, no one is going to be matched up with you in a height/weight proportion before they attack you. I trained with mostly men, big men and it was scary...all the time but I learned quickly what my strengths were and I became a better fighter for it. Yes there was blood and yes there were cracked ribs as well as busted lips/noses but it was respectful and meaningful because I realized once I got over my fear of being hit, it was just a hit and that couldnt distract me anymore so hence I gave as I received as well. Although these things happened on the mat, I figured it was going to be worse out there and I became thankful for my journey knowing without a shadow of doubt, I can protect myself if need be. Tournaments were definitely easier after sparring men all day, every day but the confidence in myself grew because Master Rifkin has a way of pushing you towards your own excellence. I earned my Black Belt and I am humbled to have had such an instructor that cared about my training to see me through. He hasnt changed a bit in all the years Ive trained with him and Im sure he never will...he just cares to much. Train here first, then go out and check other places and see just how much youve learned.

Master Rifkin does an excellent job of inspiring his classes. I highly recommend their program. My son has gotten stronger, more disciplined, and it is exciting to watch his progress.

I started going to Rifkin Professional Karate looking to mix up my workout routine, and unsure what exactly I was getting into. Now, a little over a year later, I am extremely happy with my decision to start and I cannot say enough good things about my experience so far. With Rifkin Karate you will get way more than just a great workout; the curriculum is interesting, challenging, diverse and applicable in a variety of real life situations. The instructor, Master Rifkin, is a great teacher and really makes each class enjoyable with his passion, knowledge, and exceptional skill in a wide range of martial arts. I believe Master Rifkins commitment to each students success, regardless of ability, makes this such a fantastic school. If you are the least bit curious about trying out Karate, or even an experienced martial artist, I would definitely recommend giving Rifkin Karate a shot, it is a great atmosphere, and you will definitely learn something!

Ive been attending the adult classes since January 2017 and I absolutely love it. Master Rifkin is very attentive and will continue to push you to become your best self. You will notice a difference in yourself from a physical stand as well as a mental one. You gain confidence and skills that you will carry with you for the rest of your life. Best decision I have ever made.

We started my daughter off with the 6 week trial program. Which was very affordable at only $65. My daughter has always excelled at academics and the arts. Athletics on the other hand is something she has shown very little interest in. In an effort to help her be more well rounded and active we have tried various sports to no avail. I thought lets try karate as this would help in those areas and teach her to defend herself. I think every father worries about their children having the ability to defend themselves.I browsed around the internet and made calls to the various martial arts schools in the area. As soon as I spoke to Master Rifkin I knew there was something different about him compared to all the others. The first private session and into the first class I knew that I had picked the right person to help teach my daughter honor, respect, self defense and the value of hard work.As you can tell I was very happy with Master Rifkin. But, I needed my daughter and wife to sign off on him as well. Three weeks and nine classes into the trial both my daughter and my wife wanted to sign up for long term classes. This is the first time my daughter has shown enthusiasm about any thing athletic. My wife and I are very happy with the attention to detail he is teaching our daughter. We also love the way he controls his class room from the students to the spectators. You can tell he truly cares and he doesnt just see dollars signs with his students. He truly enjoys his craft. We hit the jack pot with Master Rifkin and Rifkin Professional Karate Center

I did a lot of research on a good martial arts program for my son. With the 6 week trial program i couldnt go wrong, and could make sure it met my expectations. I have not been disappointed! This isnt just another guy trying to make a buck. Master Rifkin takes pride in doing things right. He explains why he teaches the curriculum the way he does with practical real life things. Probably the best well rounded program I could think of with a blend of takwondo, Karate, and Aikido. He really breaks it down for the kids so its easy to understand, but he makes em work for it! My son has come alive! His respect is better at home and he has so much more confidence. He cant wait for the next class. After just a couple weeks, I couldnt take it I had to join too. Its been about 2 months and I have already lost 25lbs! I get a great workout and chance to just get away from the busyness of life. The people there are all super kind and non judgmental, the atmosphere is inviting. No matter why your looking into martial arts chances are youll find what your looking for at Master Rifkins school. Just come check it out it wont be long til your hooked!

(I also posted this on Yelp, heads up)I started training at RPKC June 2014 and would 100% still be there if I had not moved out-of-state at the end of summer 2015. Trying to find a suitable replacement studio in my new location (D.C. areahas made me realize how special Master Rifkins studio really is.Most important to me was Master Rifkins attention to detail and building on foundations. He has adapted a curriculum over his years of teaching that allows martial arts novices (like I wasa gradual introduction into its challenges; and since he teaches all the classes offered at the studio, he really keeps an eye on individual students progress. Even in classes of 15, 20, 25 students, you receive individualized attention every time.The dojo is also all about constant improvement, which served as great motivation for getting in better shape. Not only does the curriculum get more complex as you move up belt levels, but you become responsible for more material. For example, at testing for yellow belt, you need to know all your yellow belt material, in addition to retaining your white belt material. For me, this was great motivation for cross-training and making sure I worked on my cardio so that I could survive the next belt exam, which also helped with performing better in weekly classes. Master Rifkins classes are great exercise on their own, but are also great motivation to get in shape outside of class. I especially recommend jogging and yoga.On top of the exercise and learning aspects, the dojo just has a really great vibe and friendly atmosphere. All the students are there to help each other learn; you hold targets for your fellow students, practice self-defense with them, and ideally move up the belt ranks with them. You definitely bond with your belt-mates and everyone Ive met at the studio is friendly.The only drawback of RPKC is that it is not located in the D.C. area, otherwise it is a pretty awesome martial arts studio.

Edit Dec 2015: Now that Ive been training for 3 years I thought it might be time to come back, check my review, and give it an update. Im a brown belt now and love training here. My classmates are my friends and my family: a supportive bunch that help each other improve every day. If you have any doubts about joining us Id encourage you to trust first hand experience over reviews on the Internet. Come in, watch a class, and meet us!Original review: Ive been training at RPKC for a year now. Ive improved my mind and body and taken my training to a level I never imagined possible. I have a tremendous amount of respect for Master Rifkin. His curriculum is top notch and his teaching abilities are equally amazing. RPKC is no McDojo - its a school that focuses on the details of every technique so that when it comes time to use your skills in the real world you can feel confident that they will be effective.

When my son said he wanted to learn karate I knew nothing about where to go or who to chose. Thankfully I happened to see Rifkin Professional Karate before any other listing. I read the reviews and thought ok this is the one were going to check out. I felt good with that choice after just talking to Master Rifkin on the phone the first time but when we went to meet him and one of the first things he told me was he wouldnt just give my son a black belt, he had to put the hard work in and earn it, I knew instantly this was the karate school I wanted my son to go to.I have seen my son become so much more confident in everything he does, not just karate. Hes started to figure out the "rewards" of hard work in ways my husband and I werent fully able to show him but most of all, Master Rifkin has taught him to never give up. That seems so simple and something youd think my husband and I would have already taught him. We have tried trust me! However, again it didnt hit home fully for him until Master Rifkin. My son knows he always has us in his corner to cheer him on, believe in him and celebrate when he accomplishes one of his goals but now he also has Master Rifkin. If youre looking for somewhere for you or your child to learn karate- this is the place and Master Rifkin is the one, hands down.

My six year old son has been attending Master Rifkins karate program for four months. I cant say enough how much I love this program. My son has had amazing improvement in strength, balance, focus, and his flexibility has surprised me completely. He use to fall over plenty, couldnt reach his toes..now he has his first stripe for kicking, which requires plenty of balance and he can practically do splits..My son loves showing off his skills to his family and friends. Practicing is actually fun for him. Master Rifkin teaches every one of his classes himself. So you know your child is always getting the best training. He is so great with the kids. He has his way of making the class fun and the kids know exactly what is expected of them. I have no idea how he manages to keep these kids focused for the entire class, but he does a great job at it! Master Rifkin knows when to push the kids and when they are ready to move on to more challenging training. He is great at communicating with parents for what is needed for focus with the kids. I couldnt say enough about Master Rifkin and his program. I also couldnt suggest a better program. We are lucky to have chosen such a great karate program for our son. He will use his skills throughout his whole life and I feel confident with continuing training my son will have the ability to protect himself and others!

Rifkin Professional Studios is the only place to learn Karate... I have searched everyone in Columbia and was so disappointed until I Meet Master Rifkin. He takes the time to teach (he teaches every class). My main concern was that my granddaughter Aaliyah lost her dad when she was 2, and she has two women that watch over her. Master Rifkin has taught her to defend herself so there is not as much worry on her mother and my part. She has discipline, respect and confidence since she has started there. Master Rifkin will not advance unless you know the material he is teaching. So I am confident that she can protect herself. So confident that I also added my other granddaughter Aryana, and will add my other 4 grandchildren when they are of age. It is the best money I have ever spent. Piece of mind. Thank you Master Rifkin for protecting my family...