17361 Edison Ave, Chesterfield, MO 63005
Learn Martial Arts in Chesterfield's best Taekwondo school. We offer children, teen and adult programs. Fitness and discipline for the mind and body.
Reviews from Jiu-Jitsu Blog members who have trained at ATA Martial Arts - Chesterfield. Member recommendations raise an academy's Jiu-Jitsu Blog Score.
My 2 sons have been going to ATA Chesterfield for 3+ years now. One son is working on his 2nd degree black belt and the other is working toward his 1st degree. This is a great form of strength, focus, and achieving goals and with the guidance and example of the incredible staff and instructors my boys have learned the value of honesty, integrity, respect, confidence, and loyalty. At ATA Chesterfield they physically work hard while having fun and making great new friendships. ATA is a wonderful place for not only your children but for the whole family. (Parents are also allowed to participate) I would definitely recommend ATA to any family looking for a great way to bond while getting physically fit! I would give a billion stars if possible!
A Truly Exceptional Experience at ATA Chesterfield My son has been a member of ATA Chesterfield for the past three years, and I can’t express enough how much this organization has positively impacted his life. ATA Chesterfield is more than just a place to learn martial arts; it’s a community that genuinely cares about its members and their overall development. The values preached and practiced here are exemplary, fostering an environment of impeccable sportsmanship and a real sense of teamwork. The instructors and staff are committed to not only teaching martial arts techniques but also essential life skills. My son has developed leadership abilities, improved his social skills, and even gained a basic understanding of business concepts—all of which will serve him well in life. What stands out the most to me is the balance they strike between personal development and enhancing the group as a whole. There’s always room for growth, and ATA Chesterfield ensures that every student has the opportunity to work on their individual goals while also contributing to the collective success of the group. ATA Chesterfield is a great organization that goes above and beyond to shape not just skilled martial artists, but well-rounded individuals. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a place that truly invests in the growth and character of its members.
Great instructors make it fun for students. Very good customer service. Team members are super helpful and everyone wants the students to have a good experience.
Love it here. The kids always have a blast and the staff/masters are awesome.
ATA Chesterfield is amazing! My son has been part of the program since Christmas 2023 and has learned and grown so much! The instructors are wonderful! Mrs. Bhavakatti is the BEST instructor! I highly recommend this program for any kids or adults who want to learn Taekwondo and grow into a leader!
My son started with ATA two years ago. He was hesitant at the beginning but after a few classes he started to really enjoy it. It has made a big difference in his discipline, focus and all the other attributes that are in emphasis every belt cycle.
One of the best kids activities our daughter signed for. Well organized, teaching life values and discipline. They facilitate many completions, holly events and camps. Teachers are great with kids.
This has been fantastic for my son. Every single instructor is amazing and patient. My son's confidence has grown exponentially. Can't recommend this place enough.
ATA Martial Arts Chesterfield is an awesome place for all ages to learn great life lessons and how to protect themselves. Totally recommend!!! 😁🥋
We have seen a positive improvement in our son’s discipline and confidence since joining ATA. The instructors and staff genuinely care about the well being of their students.
We have had a great experience since our daughter joined in November. ATA’s values align with ours and it is great to get outside reinforcement and education. We have really seen her mature since she started taking classes and am very happy with the program. The instructors are extremely good at teaching both taekwondo and life skills and our daughter enjoys herself and is gaining confidence. I highly recommend the ATA Chesterfield team.
ATA is filled with great instructors and students. Each staff member always has a smile on their face when you walk in the door! Sr. Master Shank has a vision that puts the students success before his own, and the rest of his team truly cares about their students’ well being and success on and off the mat! ATA Chesterfield & Eureka is the place to take your child to achieve high goals and excel as an athlete and human being!
ATA is a fantastic martial arts studio, specifically for kids. The instructors are knowledgeable, and the community of students and families are amazing! The location is close to my work and home, and the hours make it easy for my kids to get to classes after school. The physical fitness my kids get is fantastic, and the additional respect, esteem, and confidence they gain in addition to the self-defense makes this Chesterfield martial arts school worth it. The school also lets me participate in classes with my sons, which helps my own fitness goals. I am very excited, proud, and happy that my family participates at this school.
My 5 year old son was very shy. He was struggling with self confidence and had difficulty socializing with peers and adults. We enrolled him at ATA Chesterfield, in the Tigers program about a year ago and we have seen amazing improvements in his growth and development. We were impressed from the moment we entered the building. Not only is this awesome program well designed and organized, but it is run by an amazing team of professionals that truly love what they do! Master Shank and his team of incredible leaders have a passion for helping kids grow and thrive. We highly recommend this organization!!!
We started attending ATA Chesterfield due to some unfortunate circumstances at the ATA location back in November of 2017 where we first enrolled. It was a difficult time and we searched and searched to follow the instructor that he came to know and love. We followed our initial instructor, Mr. David, and we were able to not only follow through with the ATA Tigers program at Chesterfield, but also go through the Beginners, Advanced, and eventually, the Black Belt class. At the time of ATA induction in August 2017, he was a Tiger at four years old and really enjoyed it. Despite changing from a Creve Coeur to the Chesterfield location, everyone has been super supportive and guided him to eventually finish his black belt before he turned 9 in February 2020! We would not have been able to complete the Black Belt journey if it weren't for the entire staff at Chesterfield; Master Shank, Mrs. Shank, Mrs. Bhavakatti, Miss Bhavakatti, Miss Gordon, Mr. Gordon, Miss Blasini, Mr. Roy, Mr. David, Mr. Foster, Mr. Cunningham, Mr. St. Pierre, Mrs. McNiel, Mrs. Chien, and so many others that helped through the process. We will continue the journey towards fourth degree Black Belt before he graduates high school as well. We This place is a great start for anyone that wishes to teach their child discipline, hard work, and perfection to the best of their abilities. The work ethic and competitiveness will be etched into their aesthetic. It's one thing to have your parents tell you about the values; it's another thing to have other Black Belts and instructors guide you with the same advice! I find that the synergistic tag team is today's "it takes a villiage to raise a child" approach to parenting. We will continue to take our son to ATA Chesterfield, so long as we are here. It is a vital part of our lives and he has several friends both in and out of the school! Our son is only now beginning to appreciate the value that we have put him through up to this point. Thank you so much ATA Chesterfield!
My daughter has been coming here for a few months now and I have noticed a complete turn around in her confidence and attitude. She has come out of her shell so much and is a different kid!! The staff here are a blessing. They are extremely helpful and want each of their students to succeed. Great place!!
My son has been coming here since last August and I can’t believe the change I have seen in him. He is learning about respect, communication, discipline and few other things. This place is not about the money but more towards helping your kids and making good choices. I would highly recommend this place if you are looking for great role models who go above and beyond to help :)
ATA has helped build my son's self confidence and enhanced his discipline. He enjoys it so much!
We absolutely love ATA Chesterfield! I can go on and on about how genuine the instructors are and how their beliefs of respect, honesty, integrity, and discipline have made lasting impressions on my family. But what I wanted to really point out was how impressed we are by how the staff goes above and beyond health recommendations from Covid, to make everyone feel safe. Besides wearing masks, using extensive disinfecting practices, and spacing the athletes appropriately, they also offer ZOOM! It has been such a lifesaver for when my son didn't want to miss a class and I had work to attend. I was able to put on the Zoom class and he was still able to get an amazing experience! Thanks ATA!
8 weeks on the mat again and testing was a success for the family. Recommend ATA Chesterfield to everyone!
My youngest daughter loves this place way better than her old mixed martial Arts place. She has learned to spar better and has also won 2 medals in her first competition.
ATA Martial Arts Chesterfield has changed my life drastically. The learning environment is amazing for anyone who wants to train and improve. Every instructor knows that they are there to help each individual student improve, and they all do exactly that. I've been training at ATA Chesterfield for 3 or 4 years now, and I love it more every time I walk in.
After an unfortunate turn of events in 2017 with another ATA location, ATA Chesterfield happily accommodated Mr. David, as well as our little ATA Tiger at the time. Fast-forward almost two years later, Mr. David still encourages our little guy and he is on his way to a black belt in no time! Mrs. Bhavakatti, Master Shank, Mrs. Shank, Mr. St. Pierre, and many of the bright faces at Chesterfield are great individuals at helping everyone achieve their goals. Martial arts is beautiful in the sense that it enhances life skills through fun activities, as well as help them retain important self-defense skills. This particular location is a shining example of fostering leaders and great, encouraging teachers that help create future leaders. Thank you so much!
This place has great instructors that truly demonstrate care for their students. My son has built strength, focus, confidence, and self-control through studying Taekwondo at ATA Chesterfield. The instructors won't let him coast by, challenging him when he needs it. There's a great atmosphere of camaraderie as the students spur each other to do their best. Making the decision to have my son train at ATA has been a wise investment in his future.
ATA has been a great adventure for my kids, they have learned a great deal and the look forward to accepting their black belt in the near future. The ATA team is great and keeps everyone focused on their goals and achievements. GO ATA!
Our son attended a birthday party at ata chesterfield about 3 years ago and has been attending classes ever since. The staff here is amazing, it is obvious they have a love for what they do and live by the principles that they teach. I am most impressed with the family atmosphere, the way new students are welcomed into the classes, and the support extended both from the instructors and from the other students - especially when a student struggles with a new move or a difficult part of a form. Our son has learned skills that will last him a lifetime and my family has found a place we truelly feel welcome. I cannot recommend Chesterfield ATA, Master and Mrs. Shank or their staff enough.
ATA has been such a great experience for us. Master Shank and his staff provide a positive, encouraging, and fun place for our children. Their energy is contagious and the example the set is inspiring. I encourage anyone to try it out and just see for yourself.
My family and I have been students at ATA Martial Arts - Chesterfield for nearly six years now. Initially we were referred there by my oldest son's OT, as he struggled with gross and fine motor skill deficiencies, vestibular and auditory dysfunction (Sensory Processing Disorder), had poor core muscle tone, and alternating movement deficiencies, and has recently been diagnosed with ADD. This last summer, that same child tested for his black belt. And all the while, from that first day until now, ATA Chesterfield, Master and Mrs. Shank and their outstanding teaching and support staff, have all rallied around my family. All three of my boys are students there. My second son got his black belt last June, my oldest got his in August as I mentioned, and I will test for mine in a couple weeks. My youngest son, at age 6, just graduated from the Tigers program into the Black Belt Beginners class and looks forward to earning his black belt in a few years as well. I can say, hands down, that this is the most challenging, rewarding, character-building thing that our family has ever done.The fact that we can do it together as a family, while still striving to achieve our individual goals, is priceless. One reviewer called it a "McDojo, giving black belts to little kids". In reply to that, I say to him, "Come watch these 'little kids' go through a black belt test. Nothing is 'given' to anyone. It is brutal and hard and challenging, and it will test the mettle of both students and their parents." To the people whining about kids getting through a test "without doing anything" - when they are young, it's about making it fun, motivating them to keep trying and building confidence. If they are there, at that very young age, that's enough for now. Also, do you know how that child is in every single class? Maybe he did great in class, but got nervous at testing. How do you think this little guy's parents would feel if their 5-year old failed his test after they paid all that money? They paid the same way you did. I'll tell you right now, my SPD/ADD kiddo doesn't move the same way and doesn't perform the same way as some of the more athletically skilled kids out there. He will never be World Champion. But that's okay, because he's judged on his own merit and his own rate of improvement. So don't make judgment calls based on seeing one child pass a test by "not doing anything" unless you know that child and that family personally. ATA has offered my children opportunities to lead, to learn and to improve themselves. It has made my husband and I better parents to our sons. It has brought us together as a family as no other activity has. It has made us powerful and confident, yet humble and supportive of others. It has provided my son with SPD and ADD multiple opportunities to do the same things everyone else is doing, while still accommodating and respecting his individual needs. It has allowed my go-getter second son to achieve results at his own pace, and has taught him to be a humble, focused leader to others. It has brought my youngest out of his shell and turned him into a force to be reckoned with. It has taught me that as a mother, my goals and dreams are important, too, and has given me the confidence and determination to see them through. Is it expensive? It depends on your income and dedication, on your end game, your goals. Seeing what it has done for my boys, I would happily pay twice what I've invested so far. It's difficult for me to imagine anyone that has any experience with this school not giving it five stars. To Master and Mrs. Shank, I say, "You have poured your hearts and souls into making this a top-notch school where students and families grow and learn martial arts together. But that's not all you've done. You have also created a very special community for both children and adults alike, where we can go to improve our bodies, our minds, our attitudes, our families and our parenting skills. And for that, I thank you from the bottom of my heart!"
We are incredibly pleased with all aspects of our experiences through ATA in Chesterfield Valley. As a result of the training/lessons provided through the program, our son has exhibited tremendous emotional, mental and physical growth. Specifically, he previously struggled with hand-eye coordination; and as a result, he was very withdrawn and shied away from almost all physical activities both inside and outside of school. After joining ATA, he placed great focus on his training and his coordination is remarkably improved from when we first started. Perhaps the greatest benefits are the interwoven life skills/lessons that are emphasized and directly acquired through the program. Our son has learned to be proud of himself and his accomplishments; and his self-esteem has sky-rocketed. He has learned respect, integrity, honesty, self-control and so many other things that he pulls directly into his daily life. We never realized and/or appreciated how much of an impact that ATA could have on our son’s school life; his teachers have been so impressed and his classroom behavior/performance are much improved. There is no doubt in our minds that ATA directly benefits our son and whole family; and we are forever grateful for the wonderful environment that they create. Speaking of environment, we are so impressed with the passion and professionalism exhibited by the staff. They do a fantastic job and are the backbone for the wonderful training environment. Also, we have been blown away by the generosity of the owners for providing seasonal parties which bring together all staff, students and families. They go above and beyond and must spend thousands of dollars to provide catered food for all and experiences and activities for hundreds to enjoy at multiple times during the year. In summary, our family is so thankful that we provided the opportunity for our son to forge a path of his own personal, spiritual, emotional and physical development; which we are all so very proud of. He now has many things that HE can talk about and point to with great pride and sense of accomplishment. We cannot wait to see him continue to develop and watch his self-esteem climb each and every day!
ATA Chesterfield has changed my daughter’s life in so many ways. At the age of 4 my daughter began private therapy to assist with her coordination struggles. She had significant delays in fine and gross motor and required occupational therapy. As she got older she yearned to play a sport and we searched endlessly to find an activity that would allow her to grow in her balance and coordination struggles and make her feel a part of a team. ATA Chesterfield was the end of our search. She is now 10 years old and months away from getting her black belt. ATA is our family and they truly care about the welfare and success of my daughter. She was acknowledged for her determination by the instructors at ATA recently. In her words it was “one of her proudest moments of her life.” She is a confident strong and determined young girl thanks to all she has learned through taekwondo and her instructors at ATA. Shortly after she joined I was given the opportunity to join as well. I love how STRONG taekwondo makes me feel and my instructors give me the confidence to believe I can do anything! I can’t say enough about how ATA Chesterfield has changed our lives!
My son has been with ATA Chesterfield for seven years and earned his black belt this past weekend. If it wasn't for all the instructors pushing him to keep going and keep getting stronger, I'm not sure we would have kept at it this long. These instructors motivate you to do your best! My daughter and I have recently started training also since my daughter has been watching my son her entire life. She can't wait to be a black belt with him! Great job ATA!!!!
ATA Chesterfield is an amazing place for all ages. My son has been training here for little over 2 years. Not only has he reached his black belt but he has learned so many character traits that have changed his behavior at home and at school - respect, honesty, persevere, communication, etc. I couldn't ask for a better "family" to be welcomed into. Everybody is striving to help you become your best and is cheering you on the whole way. Not only is there a physical benefit to martial arts but also a mental confidence boost. I recommend ATA Chesterfield to EVERYBODY!
I am so thankful to have walked through this door!! My boys were practicing traditional karate at another dojo for many years and I could see their love and passion for the art dropping, mainly because of the lack of enthusiasm by the instructors. I called Master and Mrs. Shank to talk about this and they invited my boys to come and watch a class and even participate if they wanted to. We attended several class so that I could really see if the boys were going to be excited about it. They loved it and never looked back. Master and Mrs. Shank are passionate about taekwondo AND their students! You become family. My sons have made wonderful friends and the older (teenage) students/leaders are wonderful role models to them. They astounded me with their confidence, discipline, and courtesy. I’m so happy that my sons are in this positive environment and I see how hard they work at every class because they are inspired by the people around them. They come off the mats sweaty, happy messes EVERY CLASS!! Master Shank expects commitment and perseverance, but he also shows those kids just how proud he is of them and their accomplishments, and they see it. I am beyond happy for my kids and know that they are not only getting the tools and knowledge to know how to protect themselves, they are also receiving tools to become wonderful young men. So completely happy!!
We enrolled my three boys for several reasons: they get another place to expend physical energy, learn self defense skills and learn additional mental and physical discipline. We were new to area and shortly after arriving my oldest (8 yrs old at time) began to be bullied and his self esteem took a big hit. However, watching him learn these new skills, become physically stronger, and seeing the encouragement he receives in class from Master Shank has truly helped to build his self esteem again. He feels more confident and is more willing to try new things. He very much looks up to Master Shank as he has been taught to pursue a habit of excellence. I have noticed that, not just in ATA class, but his school work and even his interactions with his siblings has been better. He has gone from being bossy to being a leader. As for my younger boys, Mr. Roy in the Tigers class has helped instill an even greater respect in them for their father and me as well as their responsibilities around the house. Plus, they have a lot of fun in his class. All three have been putting more effort, confidence and respect into home and school responsibilities. Every instructor has been encouraging and helpful in any questions we have had. We have been thrilled to be a part of the ATA - Chesterfield family.
This is a top notch facility that offers great instruction to all ages, well designed, state of the art facility and larger than any martial arts facility I've seen in the area! Master Shank, Mrs. Shank and their wonderful instructors have a gift for teaching the kids of all ages and abilities. Since our entire family began classes nearly 5 years ago, we have received multiple compliments on their respect toward others, just one of the many important values they teach their students. In addition, our children have gained confidence and discipline which continues to help them in their everyday lives, both academically and socially!
We like the training in discipline, self defense, respect and listening this program provides. In addition, it teaches self confidence and reinforces positive behaviors through the individual recognition at the end of class. We recommend this class and these teachers.
A great family sport! ATA Chesterfield has dedicated instructors and first class facility. An active community for kids, singles, moms and dads that supports you to do your best.
Master Shank and all of the instructors are phenomenal in their knowledge and teaching abilities. Whether your child wants to become a black belt or just learn some new life skills, ATA Chesterfield can help.
Thank you Master Shank for boosting up Mr. McEntee's self confidence.
We love ATA martial arts chesterfield!! Gave our son confidence and taught him discipline. So thankful we found ATA and Master Shank!
My daughter has gained an amazing amount of confidence since joining.
Fantastic instruction. Fun experience. Valuable learning!
Very dedicated and skilled instructors...kids learn discipline, respect and focus...they enjoy a lot and look forward to the classes every week
ATA Chesterfield is the best investment we've made for our family's health. Our son started when he was 5 years old. He's now a first degree black belt at age 10, working hard towards his 2nd degree. Our younger daughter has been attending for three years and my husband was motivated enough to start over a year ago. The physical benefits are immediately noticeable, but more importantly we are surrounded by wonderful families, a very supportive environment that daily focuses on and actively teaches integrity, respect, perseverance, honesty, and self-discipline - the skills our children need as they grow into happy and successful adults. Mr and Mrs Shank and Ms Koppar are the best instructors I've ever seen and I'm also a teacher myself!
Update as of 8-3-15: We still love taking martial arts here for the focus, self-defense, exercise, and discipline. There are so many kids and adults here of all ages!
Very clean. Great instructors! Love the atmosphere at ATA. My family has been training for the last 8 months and love it here!
A fantastic martial arts experience. The very qualified instructors know exactly what they are talking about and do an excellent job of instilling the virtues that they promise to. Since I signed up almost five years ago I have had no regrets.
My husband, two daughters and I all train at ATA in Chesterfield. Not only is the location extremely convenient (in the valley), it is clean and the instructors are all top notch. Mr. and Mrs. Shank are devoted to martial arts--not just the physical techniqes, but the attitude and mentality that accompanies the sport. They promote qualities such as a good attitude, respect, manners, perseverance, honor and confidence, and they hold their students accountable for these traits. My family has trained at ATA for the past 3 years, and soon we will have attained black belt status. In addition to a good workout, ATA has been a great way to meet like-minded people with similar beliefs and values.
Awesome! You've got to try ATA Chesterfield. Our whole family trains there. Mr. and Mrs. Shank are amazing instructors. They take the time to get to know all their students and set individual goals. They know how to build confidence and teach discipline. Their program offers variety, flexibility, and FUN!
I have patiently waited for my children’s last class so that I can write this review. If you have BLACK CHILDREN PLEASE READ THIS. I am disgusted with this place. First, it is most definitely a money grab. The classes are outrageously priced, and they over charge for everything. When we signed our children up we were told by the instructor that we had the option of buying nunchucks from them, or they could bring in their own as long as they were kids nunchucks. So, they brought in their own. The owner, Master Shank, stopped me and my kids and said “those aren’t ATA nunchucks, they have to have our brand!” How inconsiderate to demand that parents spend even more money on something that the kids will only use a few times. So, I spent $50 on nunchucks there, in addition to the $40 that I had already spent on the ones my kids picked out. So, imagine my shock when I saw other kids using nunchucks that WERE NOT ATA BRANDED! Smh… Then, I noticed how my black son and daughter weren’t shown any attention as compared to the other students. There was a moment when Master Shank was instructing class, my Daughter needed help and he paid her ZERO attention. He did however help all of the other non black kids. The dichotomy was so evident that even my children noticed it, and they told us that they never wanted to go back. My kids are in many activities and they’ve never said that, not even about the activities that they struggle in a bit. So, for them to say that was very telling. Sometimes racism can be so second nature for some people that they couldn’t hide it, no matter how much they tried. It was a very cult like atmosphere, there was no structure to the lessons, they are very prejudice, they over charge for everything and the owner speaks in such a condescending tone. This place isn’t even worth one star, honestly. Master Shank, you have ALOT of adjustments to make. My next step will be submitting my reviews on social media. I’d be remiss if I didn’t abreast the thousands of friends and followers I have to this!
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