Frequently Asked Questions

Comfortable sportswear (t-shirt and long tracksuit pants) is all you need. Training is barefoot on tatami mats — no shoes needed. Bring a water bottle and a small towel. A karate gi (white uniform) is only needed once you decide to train regularly, which you can order through the club at a discounted price.

Absolutely none required. Our Aufbautraining (foundation training) starts from zero and builds systematically. You'll learn proper stances, basic blocks, strikes, and kicks step by step. Our trainers adjust the intensity individually. Many of our current competition athletes started as complete beginners.

Our regular club training is for adults and young people aged 16 and over. For younger karateka we offer individual private lessons (Einzelstunden) where we can adapt the training to any age. There is no upper age limit — we have members training well into their 50s and 60s.

Simply show up at any regular training session (Monday 20:00-21:30, Thursday 20:30-22:00 USI course, or Friday 17:30-19:00). No registration needed beforehand. The trainer will welcome you, explain the dojo etiquette, and guide you through the session. You'll train alongside the group with individual attention. The first trial session is completely free and non-binding.

For noticeable progress, we recommend at least 2 sessions per week. The fixed Monday, Thursday (USI course, 20:30-22:00) and Friday sessions are ideal for building a routine. You can also add Thursday noon or Sunday sessions by arrangement for extra practice. Even once per week is fine to start — consistency matters more than volume. Competition-oriented athletes typically train 3-4 times per week.

Yes! We regularly compete at regional, national, and international tournaments. Recent achievements include a 5th place at the WSKA World Championship in Cádiz, gold medals at Wiener Landesmeisterschaft, Styrian Open, and Austrian International Shotokan Cup. Participation is always voluntary — many members train purely for fitness and personal development. If you're interested in competing, our Wettkampftraining (competition training) prepares you specifically for tournament Kumite and Kata.

Karate training inherently includes effective self-defense techniques — blocks, strikes, kicks, and distance management are core skills. For dedicated self-defense focus, our Einzelstunden (private lessons) can be tailored specifically to practical self-defense scenarios. We also occasionally offer special self-defense workshops (like our recent workshop at Ernst-Happel-Stadion). However, the full karate curriculum gives you the deepest and most reliable self-defense foundation.

The monthly fee is €40 for adults and €30 for students/pupils. The first trial training is free. The fee includes all regular training sessions (Monday and Friday fixed, Thursday 20:30–22:00 USI course, plus Thursday noon and Sunday by arrangement). There is no registration fee. Payment is monthly via bank transfer.

Kyu examinations happen approximately every 3-6 months. Your trainer assesses when you're technically ready and will let you know. The exam covers Kihon (basics), Kata (forms), and Kumite (sparring) appropriate to your level. The examination fee is €30. From white belt (no Kyu) you progress through 9th Kyu (white) up to 1st Kyu (brown), after which you can attempt the Dan (black belt) examination through Karate Austria.

Shotokan is the most widely practiced karate style worldwide, founded by Gichin Funakoshi. It's characterized by deep, powerful stances (like Zenkutsu-dachi), long-range techniques, and emphasis on perfect form. Compared to Goju-Ryu (circular, close-range) or Wado-Ryu (evasive, flowing), Shotokan focuses on explosive linear techniques and strong Kihon (basics). The Rebels Karate Club trains under the ÖKB (Austrian Karate Federation) and follows the JKA/Shotokan curriculum.