Grand Prairie Karate Academy

I first learned about Grand Prairie Karate Academy from a flyer advertising an introductory class there. My son had lost interest in baseball and we were looking for something to keep him exercising. I was a little concerned when I drove to the gym. It is not in the best of neighborhoods, and the strip mall it was in was more than a little run-​down. Meeting one of the black-​belt instructors — Bryan Higgins — put my mind at ease, however. GPKA has been operating for more than thirty years in Grand Prairie at this same location. Attend a belt test there and you will see a full panel of black belts that reads like a who’s who of Texas Karate.
Two years later, and I can’t think of life without GPKA. I joined shortly after my son did and am now a brown belt there. The instructors are top notch, and the gym is owned by a legend of Texas Karate — Dr. Brax Boyd — a man who counts Chuck Norris as a long-​time friend and professional associate. Classes are for everyone — boys, girls, young, old, disabled — you’ll see them all. Its great exercise, great for coordination and flexibility, great to lose weight, and great fun. And you learn the art of self defense. There is no down side!
So if you drive by and think the place looks run down, come in an experience the heart these folks possess. As the author Larry Niven once said, mutts may not win any dog shows, but they usually beat the winners in a fair fight. If you want the prettiest gym, go somewhere else. If you want to learn karate, and to fight with the best of them, this is your place.