EGN International Karate & Fitness Center (Manhattan)

What does an afternoon on W 116th between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard and Frederick Douglass Boulevard look like when you trade the subway platform for a martial arts studio? EGN International Karate & Fitness Center is a place where the rhythm of the neighborhood meets the discipline of karate and the energy of a fitness community. Students walk in from the brownstone-lined blocks or hop off the 2/3 at 116th, and the dojo blends street-level energy with focused training.

Inside the 209 W 116th St storefront, beginners learn stances that ground posture and seniors refine balance through kata sequences—no prior experience required. Anyone curious about Muay Thai pads or plyometric drills can join small-group sessions, and parents often bring kids to introductory self-defense clinics that run alongside youth karate programs. Black-owned and women-owned, the space caters to those who prefer instructors who share lived experience, creating a coaching environment that feels approachable rather than instructional.

If the dojo’s door sounds inviting, (516) 234-0341 will connect you with the front desk when you call during posted hours. Once you step outside, the same block leads to bodegas, brownstones, and the 4 train stairwell—a reminder that this kind of practice keeps city life and athletic discipline in the same frame. See the map for the corner of W 116th and start where the block meets the mat.