August 2023 by Google user
Took my son for a 'trial' lesson. The owner Mike was beyond rude. This guy clearly has some kind of inferiority complex. There are plenty of more genuine teachers associated with real organisations out there. I recommend finding one of them rather than wasting your time and money with team black belt.\\n\\nUpdate:\\nHave a read at the owners other responses clearly shows how he deals with any type of criticism. I wouldn't let him near a child given his stinking attitude.
July 2023 by Dan T
Took my son for a 'trial' lesson. The owner Mike was beyond rude. This guy clearly has some kind of inferiority complex. There are plenty of more genuine teachers associated with real organisations out there. I recommend finding one of them rather than wasting your time and money with team black belt.Update:Have a read at the owners other responses clearly shows how he deals with any type of criticism. I wouldn't let him near a child given his stinking attitude.
March 2023 by Evie Reid
I have been training with this club for over 7 years and my confidence has grown massively! Sensei Mike has helped me achieve my black belt whilst training in a friendly and social environment. The classes range from all ages meaning that self-defence knowledge is available for anyone! I would highly recommend this club to anyone who wants to become more active and learn karate in a fabulous familial environment.
February 2023 by Janine Heath
Mike is an great teacher he teaches me how to defend myself outside the dojo and I really enjoy taking part in his lessons ? -will
October 2022 by Griffin
Team Black Belt is an amazing place to learn Karate. I am currently a yellow belt working towards my orange belt and have been developing a lot of skills in self defence. Everybody is very welcoming and I really enjoy going there. I've also completed the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award and it was a great opportunity to use Karate as part of my physical activity. I would highly recommend Team Black Belt if you want to learn a form of martial art.
August 2022 by Neil Hillman
The world-class and world-renowned karate dojo, Team Black Belt, run by Sensei Mike Turbitt, never disappoints. I make it a place of pilgrimage when I visit from Australia. I hope the locals realise what they have.
February 2022 by Matol April
My daughter has been attending Team Black Belt Karate Club for the past 5 years and she thoroughly enjoys it and looks forward to attending each week. She particularly looks forward to the grading sessions which are normally held 3 times a year, which gives her the opportunity to show how her skills have developed and achieve the next belt level.Unfortunately over the last 2 years the club has suffered from the effects of the lockdown closures, like most businesses. To keep the club members engaged and interested during this period Mike and his team have put on virtual classes via the internet and the children have been able to gain badges by demonstrating their achievements in performing Katas and other training combinations via video link.When we were originally looking for a club for my daughter to train at, we looked at several clubs in the local area. What made Team Black Belt stand out, from the other clubs we looked at, was that Mike and his team, as well as being very dedicated to their art, are very family oriented and child friendly. As well as instilling discipline and promoting fitness, Mike also manages to keep sessions fun in order to keep the attention of the children engaged. There is a spectators seating area next to the dojo where parents can sit and watch their children being put through their paces during training classes, unlike most of the other clubs we looked at. At the location there is also free parking whilst attending the club.On another note a couple of years ago we put on a family fun day event for charity and Mike gave up his Saturday afternoon to put on a karate demonstration with some of his equipment at the event, which was much appreciated and an indication of the community spirit of the club.I would give Team Black Belt a five stars rating and highly recommend them to any parent looking for a karate club for their children, to give them a change from their mobile phones and electronic gadgets.
February 2022 by Melanie Harris
Our daughter was shy when first starting here last year. Mike and all of the others have made her feel confident and welcome. She looks forward to her lessons every week! I cannot recommend this place enough!
December 2021 by Joshua Price
Team Black Belt is a great place to learn karate, I've been attending for over 7 years. The junior classes are very family orientated and friendly. The senior classes enable you to learn more advanced skills and techniques. I have made great progress and it is an opportunity to make new friends. I would highly recommend this karate school.
March 2021 by Balraj Sagoo
I've been going to team black belt for 7 years and it's a really good and fun place to come learn karate as you get to learn not only self defence but also self discipline and help improve confidence. There is a really good friendly atmosphere here and is really family oriented. You also get a 2nd family and you make new friends.
March 2021 by D Chn
We had been with TBB for about 5.5 yrs and both children attended when old enough to join at 5 yrs old. There were some aspects I wasn't happy with as time went by but to try and approach either Mike (Sensei) or his partner Helen would provoke a negative reaction (although both happy when taking money from you). However at the start of lockdown was the real test of a company and its true nature. They guilt tripped parents and families into continuing to pay the full amount every month whilst they were shut sending out emails about all their costings and why parents should continue to pay. When enquiring about suspending the account until further notice or even cancelling it I was met with absolute rudeness from Helen. No concern for the families they were dealing for their health or finance, my DD was then halved but she was so rude I cancelled my membership with them and will find another more professional and family orientated karate group for my kids. Not once did she ask how we all were- disgraceful. Positive points- Great Dojo and equipment and easy to find, 6 weeks into lockdown they managed to get some vids up for students to follow and 12 weeks to get Zoom lessons started. Too slow. Negatives- Payments have increased - expect to pay approx £520-600 per child per year initially (12 monthly DDs of £37 even if they are shut, seem to be shut more often during the holidays now but note they only teach for 42 weeks anyway, £90 for the 3 gradings per year and the cost of a suit, mitts & bag £80), they do not reimburse you if they cancel they just say to turn up on a another day (disregard that kids do attend other clubs on different days). Grading is £30 x3 a year, and if you get to Blackbelt you pay extra every month just to access online material needed to pass. More belt colours have been introduced making it longer to get to Blackbelt. Sensei Mike - very knowledgeable but is not the epitome of health and fitness you want your kids to look up to and doesn't always take the lessons- passes them onto Teenage Leaders to take (not what I paid for). Have heard and seen Mike berate a child on front of other students and parents very unprofessional, he should have taken the family to one side to speak to. Staff from the pub and TBB smoke just outside the entrance making the foyer and parents seating area smell of smoke especially in the summer when the doors are open. TBB is also one of the more costly Karate clubs in Solihull. Honestly this has turned into a money making machine rather than skilling up children in self defence.*Edit- Helens unprofessional response on behalf of TBB to my review gives an insight to why we left TBB along with other families in the first place.
