I took 4 years of martial arts when I was a teenager and my son (age 12 and also with 4 years experience) is a brown belt in karate. When we started looking in this area for what will become his new dojo, we were open to starting over in a new style, so we read all the reviews and websites for all the local instructors and then visited the advanced classes of the 9 within our acceptable travel distance. Both of us being experienced and knowing the path to black belt can take many years, we committed to really finding the right instructor for him by training with the 4 of those 9 that we liked best. Champions Karate and Master Greg Muttart was the second of the four we've tested and he and his training truly lived up to his school's name. From the first time we met Greg, my son and I were both struck by what a nice guy he was and knew we'd be back to try his training. When we returned, we took 18 classes with Master Greg, attending 2 classes each training week. As an experienced martial artist and parent, I evaluate the trainings we attend with a critical eye for the style itself and the quality of the instruction and how the instructor is with their students. Greg and Champions Karate excel in both. Greg has trained in many styles but the foundational style he teaches is Hapkido. After two months of watching my son's classes, I consider this style far superior to any others he or I have trained in and/or seen. Greg's teaching of Hapkido is practical, built on foundations that are easy to understand and immediately applicable, clearly explained, and constantly approached from the perspective of how to use the techniques to defend yourself. Classes feel like Greg consistently has a clear plan in place before class starts. They are always well structured and include stretching and a warm-up exercise series, review of foundational skills, and various drills on how to apply those skills in real life. Hapkido also has no katas/forms, so all the training is on technique. Even with 4 years of experience and just watching, I learned so many things I wish I'd been taught all those years ago during my own training. Greg clearly lives and breathes martial arts, frequently referencing the styles of various pro fighters, recent educational videos he's seen, and decades of his own sparring experience. He works wonderfully with both kids and adults, makes the classes really fun and interesting to both take and watch, and he's got a great team of black belts supporting him. If I were looking to get back into training, Greg would be the instructor I'd choose and I definitely recommend checking out his classes if effective and fun self-defense conditioning is what you are looking for. read more

Our chlidlren Lucas and Elle have been taking karate lessons at Champions Karate Monorovia for over a year now. The karate lessons are great, but they learn so much more, and the positive impact it has made in both their lives. Needless to say there has been a huge void for our kids not being able to attend their classes for the past 3 months. But, that all changed this week with their reopening. They have gone above and beyond to set up all of the safety protocols to provide a safe enviroment for everyone. Our children just finished their first week back at class and are looking forward to next week. Thank you!! read more

Champions Karate - First day back for class!! - Karate Near Me - Monrovia, California

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My two boys have been gone to this wonderful karate place for almost one Year! It was surprised to me that they've never say they don't want to come here!!! I think they like this karate place more than the IPad! Haha I am always busy as other working mom. But I try them to come to here as many as possible for a week. Because they really enjoying and exciting. And which also make me really happy too!!! At the same time ... they learn self control, defense and get tired very time(sleep well^^)!!! The staff are nice and seems like they are enjoying what they are doing. Definitely I highly recommend this place!!! read more

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We found Champions Karate thru Groupon. We signed up for the 16 trial sessions with the free uniform, to get our daughter started with Karate. We had previously tried another studio in Arcadia and my daughter did not like the lack of attention. Sadly, she did not want to come there because she felt like she did not learn anything. She really wants to learn Karate so we started searching for a different program. We are so glad we found Champions Karate. After 16 sessions, we have signed up our daughter to continue for another 8 months. She really enjoys being in the class and learning so many different techniques. The class itself teaches beyond karate. My daughter comes home with greater confidence, respect, and discipline. Master Muttart, Mr. Rickettes and all the student aids show compassion and great attention to all the students. I highly recommend Champions Karate to any family who wants their children to learn Karate, life lessons and have fun! read more

My nephew has joined this facility for a little over a year now. Hands down Master Muttart is wonderful! He goes above and beyond to care/nurture students. My nephew looks forward to class and can't wait to come home to show us his skills. Not only has he developed excellent karate skills but class has sharpened his behavior/social skills as well! Win-Win situation for us! Highly recommend attending Master Muttart's class because we have had a FANTASTIC experience and so will you! read more

I think i am like most parents who are just trying to fill the days with activities to figure out what our children like and make sure they are not using electronics all day long. Champions karate has definitely provides much more than our initial goals. They taught the kids confidence, responsibilities, and respect. They are taught to greet each instructors. They are taught to follow instructions. And i am very glad to see that they do make the kids sit out/time out when they do not follow instructions. And this translates to home also. They have task sheets to fill out. They are rewarded for carry out chores spontaneously. Hahah, of course my kids start doing chores RIGHT BEFORE the classes in order to hand in their completed sheets. But thats better than nothing. Our society celebrates individualism to a point that we lead single individuals to believe that their individual needs trump that of others/society. I encourage all parents to allow their children to join a micro-society that teach children that we can encourage individual development for the good of society. read more

Now this normally isn't my style, to review anything (this is my first ever review on yelp!) I do feel the need to say something about this little gem. My son has been going for a little less than a year and it's definitely something he looks forward to. The instructors there show a great level of dedication to make sure each child feels included, respected and special. I stay the entire hour of class (some parents choose to drop off and come back later) and as a parent, I appreciate the lessons taught every week. It's not just martial arts the kids learn here but also how to be a good person while dealing with real life situations. read more

Awesome school for martial arts! My sons have been going there for 4+ years. My older son just earned his 1st degree black belt and my younger one is on his way. They both love the place and the people there. It's not just the martial arts they learn, but also the art of life and character building. This place is the best! And their price is very reasonable for the amount of training my 2 kids get every week. I've been to at least a half-dozen other martial arts schools (Taekwondo, Jujitsu, Kung-Fu, etc.) and this place is by far the most reasonable in terms of price. My son was asked to go for 3-hr sessions the month before his black belt test to prepare for it with no additional cost! He was reprimanded by Master Muttart for not putting enough hours in, but that was mainly my fault since I signed him up for basketball :) As for the previous bad reviews: I think everyone is entitled to be fairly compensated for their services, but it's the quality of service that sets one apart from others. Trust me, I've seen places where it's all about the $$$ or they would quote you a flat fee $$$$ to guarantee a black belt. This makes me feel like they're a black belt factory and anyone can just pay for it if they go thru the motions. My son had to earn his black belt here. He finally got it after 3 tries and he couldn't be happier. It took him 4+ years to get it, but he knows he earned it through hard work and perseverance. Keep up the good work Master Connard, Muttart, and crew! read more

Started attending here in 1997 when it was Kim's Hapkido. Got my 2nd degree blackbelt in 2004 & am now sending my brother here. Amazing teachers who treat you like a family but teach you discipline & strength at the same time. They know everyone by name.They are genuinely caring. Master Connard himself is awe-inspiring when you see him in action yet so kind & personable to talk to. Mr. Muttart is my favorite teacher, he taught me when I was young & continues to do such a great job making the kids feel at ease & encouraging them. Highly recommended. Goes beyond the usual studio motto of 'our goal is blackbelt' to really teach kids how to defend themselves & believe in themselves. read more

Every time I walk inside this Karate studio, I think to myself, "Can these people REALLY be this nice?" Let me explain: Many years ago, my first Martial Arts instructor was a tiny Korean gentleman who would stroll through the ranks of his students with a four foot stick. Anyone out of form would receive a sharp poke or a good whack on the back of the leg--both types of correction accompanied by a loud, barking reprimand. Sure, the instruction was effective, but far from pleasant. On the complete opposite side of the spectrum, all of the instructors at Mile High Karate are genuinely pleasant and clearly strive to provide a fun, enjoyable atmosphere for the students. The level of instruction is high, with several instructors on the mat at all times. Lessons are given with patience and respect, whether for kids or adults. The owner, Master Connard, knows his art (Hapkido) and runs a great school. I recommend highly. read more

I really really love bringing my son here. Truly, they put a lot of time and effort in teaching your kids technique, respect, and confidence. I am really happy with the classes. They go above and beyond my expectation with teaching my son respect for others and part of the program incorporates teaching responsibility, I alsoreally appreciate that they take the time to learn my child's name. Overall I will recommend this place to all my friends and if you consider bringing your kid here you will not be disappointed. I'd give them 10 stars if I could read more

We decided to give this karate studio a try for our 5 year old daughter. We made the decision after reading the amazing reviews here on yelp & the great deal on Groupon. Couldn't be more satisfied with our experience so far. She has gone to 3 lessons and loves it. They are very well organized and focused on teaching the kids not only karate but respect & responsibility. After we complete the lessons through our Groupon we will be signing up for the monthly program. read more

I've always been infatuated with martial arts. Now that I'm not playing sports I can finally take up a class. I've been going to Champions Karate for some 7 months now. I love it. Ive learned so much, especially from sparring on Wednesday nights. This place is the best in the area. If you want to actually learn how do defend yourself, this is the place. Its a family environment. Master Connard is all about Meeting peoples needs and you getting what you want out of the studio and instructors. As for the instructors, they are very kind and very patient. In the short few months I've been attending classes, I've gotten to know many people, including Master Connard, and it does feel like a home away from home. Master Connard has a great charisma about him and I am starting to view him as the father I never had. If you have children and you want to instill into them good morals, ethics, and high self esteem then look no further. This is the best thing you can do for your children. It's a priceless education that's probably worth more than a public education. Oh, they don't charge you more once you hit purple belt like that other reviewer said. There's a deal going right now. You can take classes for free for 2 weeks. read more

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Both of our kids have really got into this sport. We have tried other sports but they can not stay focus. Here they are very focused and motivated to learn. We have look into others martial arts school and they are not well structured in teaching the students proper manners, good behavior, positive attitude, focus, morals and confidence. Highly recommend! read more

Master Muttart is very professional and caring. He knows what he is doing when it comes to teaching kids and creating a joyful environment.

This place is Awesome!!! My daughter has been going here to Champions Karate since she was 9 years old, started from white belt now she's a 3rd degree black belt. They have great staff, great programs for kids and also adults. I highly recommend this school. read more

Champions Karate - Karate Near Me - Monrovia, California

Great instructors and staff, great for the kids. I highly recommend this facility to anyone seeking quality martial arts training. read more

Great place to bring your little one for a safe and fun environment to learn confidence, discipline, and respect. Seems like the previous reviewer Will S should have attended when he was younger. All instructors take pride in what they do. My son loves the classes and we go three times a week. The style learned is more Hapkido which is hybrid Japanese/Korean. Classes have a very good balance of fun & learning. read more

We give Champions Karate 5 stars. Our daughter has been attending classes there for about 2 years. The instructors at Champions Karate including Master Muttart, Mr. Ricketts and Mr. Calva really care about the students success. The environment is very family friendly. It's a great place to learn karate, self-discipline, focus, respect and good manners. It's a great place to have fun. In addition to the classes there are many other activities the whole family can participate in. It's been wonderful watching our daughter's skills grow. When she gets a new belt she is very proud and beams from ear to ear. It's not always easy, but the challenge is worth it. read more

My 11 year old son has been attending Champions Karate since June 2017. I love the mix of karate, including physical learning, self-empowerment, and mental learning in every session. Topics since June have included Visualization, self control, responsibility, good habits, focus, character, honesty, self confidence, and so much more! ALL of the instructors are patient, consistent and work so well with my quirky son. If he needs some one on one help to learn a skill, they help him. It has been a wonderful experience and I am so glad someone recommended we try it out. His growth and improvement in physical strength, agility, maturity, and confidence has been amazing! Master Muttart is awesome! read more

Our first exeprience with this karate studio was good. Our son enjoyed the classes and the instructors, this went on for a year until he worked up to his purple belt. We were not informed in the initial enrollment of the many fees that come with earning a black belt. There were no belt fees up until purple. Then you are hit with major fees to continue in the studio to achieve a black belt. The monthly amount we we paid was $150.00 plus $50 "activity fee" for a year until Master Conner pulled us into his office to tell us that the monthly fee would go up by about $100 and we had to pay ANOTHER downpayment of $500. So we decided to not continue with the classes and thought it would be a clean break... it wasnt so. We then received statements from ASF International for the $50.00 "activity fee" and were not informed (AGAIN) we had to put in a 90-day notice to cancel. The professionalism was poor and the communication was non-existant. I would encourage you seek another studio and read the fine print. read more

I've known Greg Muttart and his staff for 15 years. They have continually impressed me with there genuine care and concern for the well being of their students and their genuine love and respect for the art they teach. Unfortunately some people believe that earning a black belt is only a function of time rather then reaching for the qualities that the art deserves..... it's sad when people don't take personal responsibility for their performance and instead try to make a school look bad on social media... this school and it's staff are awesome! read more

Champions Karate is great. The instructors are awesome with the kids and really take the time to teach the kids proper technique and skills. They also incorporate physical fitness activities and games to improve their cardio and core strength. Master Muttart is outstanding. He makes sure the kids jave fun but also to act with respect. The change in our daughter was noticeable after just one week. The colored stripe program is great. It encourages reading, doing school work, doing chores and treating their family with respect. Master Muttart, Mrs. Hernandez, Mr Calva and Ms. De Los Reyes are great instructors. I would definitely recommend Champions Karate to everyone. read more

Martial arts had never been on the radar for our son. After seeing a demo, he was interested, so we showed up for the free sessions. Fast forward 1.5 years. Our son's self-confidence, belief, coordination and, yes, martial arts skills have skyrocketed. The skills aren't the most important part of Master Muttart's training. Rather, there's an emphasis on schoolwork, responsibility, and respect for yourself and others. A great experience! read more

Favorite place to go to release stress the people there are really kind. Really recommend if you want to learn karate

The adult teachers have been wonderful with my shy 5 year old son, who does not always have the best attention span. It has been a month, and I am seeing a positive change in my son's listening and confidence. read more

Seriously?! A karate birthday party for kids?! Can this be done for grown ups too?? My three year old and his compadres had THE best time - romping around, learning some skills, and best of all ... expending their near-infinite source of energy. For two hours, we had free run of the karate school. Master Greg and his team led the group in fun games and easy lessons ... whether the group was obedient enough to listen to directions is completely irrelevant. The little ones were so intrigued that they paid rapt attention to the instructions, though they were too excited to remember the rules. But they all lined up to punch! and kick! and break wooden boards! The grand finale was a cake cutting with a SWORD. Amirite? Even adults would be digging it. Digs: Clean, safe Staff: Super, super cool Price: So reasonable! Kids: Fast asleep Perfect. read more

This is only karate place my son has attended and I think the staff is great. They are patient with the students and they take the time to be sure each student is performing correctly. As far as the fees, I did not have an issue w/increasing fees while I was under my one year contract. They did give me the opportunity to upgrade to the leadership training which provides additional training but I chose not to do it at the time. I completed my one year and took a break so my son could focus on school and I returned the following spring/summer time for 6 months which they allowed. After the six months training we left again due to school and we will be returning soon for the summer time. My son enjoyed the two-week summer session he participated in because he was able to earn two belts for all the time he put in. We are taking the long route to black belt but he should receive it soon. read more

Champions Karate - Promotion Day 2012 - Karate Near Me - Monrovia, California

I may not be an unbiased vote as I have been a member for years now! I think this school has a great an inclusive program for littles, children and adults. I have personally witnessed the service they give back to the community through free anti- bullying awareness , the after school programs that promote respect and donate ALl of the money for the individual school, donations of service and sometimes funds to support local causes, and free safety awareness and self-defense. I've seen many children and adults learn and promote through black belt (and beyond) as they individually address their own challenges and successes with the help from the instructors and the volunteers. The cost is always a challenge for many of us... as is joining a gym, playing sports or having personal training. I particularly like the support for families with children with the lessons in celebrating fitness goals, reading, school successes, and self discipline. I've checked out and participated at the other local martial arts schools over the years and encourage anyone to check this one out and see if it is a fit! read more

This place is good. They teach my son what discipline is. In addition, They always have events for kids and family, like BBQ, laser tag, etc. They teach my son how to defense and how to react on any dangerous situations. I likes all the instructors. They are all friendly. It's like a family. Five stars. read more

This place is awesome! As a kid going to this place was such a positive environment! The teachers are funny and positive to be around and they motivate you to always do your best! This place taught me how to respect and defend my self from any type of harm. Not only do they focus on skills but also personal needs. Students have to sheets to take home that require students to do chores and homework and are signed of by parents. Doing this earns them sticker that go on belts but they later on turn to prizes. This teaches kid with hard work things pay off. This is such an awesome idea! They really focus on other skills. I couldn't have asked for a better experience! I'm glad to have meet all the teacher and other classmates that I am still friends up to this day as well as the teachers! I highly recommend this karate place! Such an awesome environment for kids and even adults! read more

My son has been attending the hapkido classes for 8 months. I recommend the school to anyone who's looking for a marshal arts school. All the teachers are truly a good role model to the students and displays the spirit of the hapkido. Tuition is very reasonable and competitive. There no fee for belt test like some other schools. The school also organizes Saturday family outing (museums, hiking, laser tag, etc.) once a month. My son is 5 and I'm grateful too see the positive impact the school is making on my son at an early age for the future. read more

Love this place. My whole family has a history with this school. My older brother did classes for a while. I have been going here for 10 years and my little brother has been attending classes for a while now. I've made it to 3rd degree and i've had many great experiences here. read more

I'm happily surprised that my five year old daughter loves karate! She's been enrolled now for almost three months. I'm equally happy that all the instructors are kind and thoughtful. While the physical training is critical, Champion Instructors also focus on the overall character development of the child. I really appreciate the fact that during class the instructors look at skill and also take into consideration individual emotional needs. When you have such a diverse group of kids nothing can fit all personality types. In addition, the environment feels safe and structured. The kids have take home sheets to do that require them and parents to sign off on homework, chores, and basically being a thoughtful individual. The kids then get a colored tape on their belt for each sheet completed. My daughter is really motivated to complete her tasks such as making her bed and brushing her teeth! Win win in my book! My friends two kids go at the same time and she too has seen an improvement in her children's listening and self confidence. read more

My son has been coming here for a little over 1 year now and still likes it as much as he did when he started. My daughter has been coming for about 10 months and my wife and I have been coming for about 8 months. The Instructors are all very friendly and they encourage the kids to do their homework and to do well in school. They talk about staying away from strangers and teach about morals. They also have a "Parents Night Out" event once a month so you can drop your kids off and have a date night. They do family events such as going hiking, to the zoo, bowling, to Speed Zone, Chucky Cheeses, BBQ'S at the park, Mud Runs, etc. I have recommended multiple friends to bring their children to this Hapkido Karate School and they have all agreed that it's a great school. read more