First, the good...the instructors are great and the facility is top notch. I had no concerns about their ability or their interactions with the kids. The facility is neat and well organized and the training is well put together. However, I took issue with their marketing practices. When my wife and son went in (via Groupon), they were sold a 6 month package above and beyond the Groupon. I expected that, so it was not a surprise. However, Master Lee explained there was a "Black Belt Club" that my son would have to make it into by the 6 month point or he would not be allowed to continue. She asked for more information, but was told they'd discuss it when/if he got there. So, the training began. Throughout the training, every session ended with a chant indicating their desire to make it to black belt (expected) and occasionally, one of the students would be promoted to the club. When they made it to the club, they rec'd a different uniform, so for the kids in white, it was a real incentive to be a kid in blue (black belt club). The time came and he was invited into the club. My wife asked at the front desk and was told Master Lee had to talk to her, they couldn't tell her about the club. So, the appt. was made. When she got there, she was surprised to learn that the black belt club came with an increased monthly rate and a $500 "processing fee." While the fee did include his equipment, when we offered to purchase the equipment ourselves, they explained the fee would still be $500. In the end, the cost would be roughly $180/month plus the $500. We felt slighted. Had this been discussed up front, we could have made a decision with our eyes open. However, now that our son had started, it meant we had to make a decision that would inevitably break his heat. We could not afford the additional money and they had pitted our son against our wallets. My wife had become friends with one of the other moms who started at the same time and had the same concerns. She took a different route and stayed, although it caused severe hardship. We tried to have our boy continue to train to the end of our 6 month contract, but it crushed him to watch other kids being initiated into the Black Belt Club. Overall, the facility is great and the staff is nice, but the way they do business is shady. My other son trained to Jr. Black Belt in another discipline without being in a "club," being separated from the other students, or having us put in a position to make a hard decision. They do offer a scholarship, but that's not the issue as we'd never qualify. It was simply the way they handled it...my fear was what would come next. Just make sure you go in with open eyes. If you have the cash, they'll do a great job with your kids and will be more than happy to collect your payment. read more

Update: We continue to train at USTC and grow closer to our black belt. Although the last few months we have been in and out of training due to LIFE, our journey has been incredible and I wanted to share something. My son now almost 12 has gained such discipline and confidence in his everyday life because of his training in TKD. His struggles in school have been real but he has worked hard, applied himself and has overcome so many obstacles that he was awarded the 2016 Outstanding Presidential Academic Excellence Award this year. This award is signed by President Obama. He definitely deserved this prestigious award. Thank you Master Lee and the dojang staff for instilling the discipline and confidence in my son. Previous review: The USTC of Monument has changed our life. Master Lee and his staff are top-notch. My 9 year old son started Taekwondo there approx. 1 year ago. I can't provide enough positive feedback about the center. My son has developed respect, self-discipline and above all self-confidence and focus. My sons grades have improved immensely! He absolutely loves Taekwondo! He told me, "Mama I am so proud of myself". This is a child who expressed daily how much he was "stupid"...makes a Mamas heart break. I have not heard those words in over 9 months :) My 6 year old daughter joined as well. She was the shy, quiet type and a follower. She has also developed respect, self-discipline, confidence, focus and above all...a VOICE! I have watched my 2 children grow and change for the better mentally and physically. About 2 months ago I myself began Taekwondo, and I am at the best place in my life EVER! I feel rejuvenated! I have learned what mind and body together can do for oneself. I continue to train with my children; this has been the most important opportunity given to our family by USTC. In a time of such crazy daily lives, we often forget what really matters...family!! Taekwondo has provided us with unlimited family time. WE will forever be grateful to Master Lee, the Monument Dojang and his staff and WE look forward to ALL of US earning our black belts!! read more

My family has been training at the Monument US Taekwondo Center for just over two years. It has been a wonderful experience that has brought us closer together as a family while at the same time provided us with a healthier lifestyle. We have enjoyed birthday parties, camps, and competitions at our school, in addition to the multitude of classes provided for us to take. Due to a back condition, I am not able to ride bikes, ski, snowboard, or participate in other activities that my son enjoys. Taekwondo allows me to train at my own pace and within my own limits side-by-side with my son, giving us a common activity we can enjoy together. My husband began once he recovered from a knee injury as a means to strengthen his knee and get back into shape. It has helped him improve his flexibility and focus as well. As a petite woman, I really appreciate the self defense skills I am learning as well as the skills the trained faculty is teaching my son when it comes to self defense and how to deal with bullies. In this day and age, the techniques and training we receive are priceless. The entire staff and faculty at the US Taekwondo Center are courteous, respectful, and welcoming of everyone who enters the school. They seek to bring out the best in each of us while reinforcing through positive encouragement tenets important to how we are raising our son: courtesy, respect, discipline, focus, and indomitable spirit. I have watched my son transform into a respectful young man who has focus, whether in school or playing sports, who always seeks to do his best. I believe it has been his experience with Taekwondo that has helped shape his demeanor and character. I am so thankful that my son attended a birthday party two years ago...it has been a life changer for our family. read more

US Taekwondo Center is the best experience that my family and I have been able to share! The legacy of success runs deep in the USTC family and is evident in every aspect of training, professionalism, and level of commitment given to each student. We are a family that believes in high values of education, morals and development of character, which we are able to obtain from the US Taekwondo Center! We are able to train physically, mentally, and develop together as a family. From day one, we were welcomed with open arms and although we are still getting to know people, it feels like a close knit community and more and more like family. My girls (ages 7 and 9) were initially going to train on their own, but having the ability to train with them has given us a bond and something fun to do together. Everyone from Master Lee, down to the senior students and instructors have given us positive feedback and encouragement to push ourselves to the limit and excel in areas where we need to improve. My girls have grown in all areas of self-discipline, self-control, perseverance, confidence, and physical fitness. They are also able to demonstrate skills they were not able to express in other sports or activities. It is such a heartwarming feeling to be able to witness firsthand the goals your children set for themselves and the growth and progression that comes from all the training, time and commitment that they put into something they love and consistently enjoy. It is such blessing to be able to train with my girls and to most of all to have the opportunity to train with such an elite staff at USTC! read more

Our experience with the Monument US Taekwondo Center has been excellent! We are a family that greatly values education and character development as well as physical fitness. As we train toward excellence, Master Lee and the instructors are incredibly encouraging in the process. Since beginning in September, I have seen my oldest son (9) grow in physical and mental confidence and competence, and I have seen my 6 year old son rise to the challenge of self discipline, even at his young age. Since they began, my 20 year old, 17 year old and 14 year old daughters started and I have seen a physical confidence in them that was not there before, as well as excitement about training that was not present in their other fitness regimens. Now my husband and I are attending classes at the dojang, too! As our children have gotten older, it is harder to carve family time out. Now, we train together toward a common goal multiple times a week in each other's company. USTC has a clear path of leadership development. Instructors can not teach just because they have a black belt. This is very impacting when it comes to our development as Taekwondo students. The challenges, goals and instruction we have graciously received from the staff has pushed us to our excellent best and helped us grow in more ways than we could have imagined. This is the best money we have ever invested in our children's and family's education! read more

I was very reluctant to join Taekwondo. The U.S. Taekwondo Center is a prominent part of our community, and my children, having interacted with their staff on a number of occasions, were all pleading to try it. We began with a week-long camp and then signed them up for a 4 week trial of unlimited training. Once they earned their first belt, they began asking us (parents) if we would train with them. Master Lee offered us the opportunity to train together with minimal initial investment or risk, so I began. I liked the disciplined and supportive environment for my children so much that I wanted them to attend as many classes as were available, so in the first few months of training, we were there several nights a week. Though I swore that I wouldn't continue past the first 6 weeks of "trial," I began to enjoy the focused environment and found that I was starting to set and reach goals...something I hadn't done in years. Learning the fundamentals of Taekwondo training and the tenets of the student creed began to shift my thinking dramatically and helped pull me out of a dark and potentially destructive place. After my first belt test, I decided to continue my training through Black Belt...and I will...only 3 belts in, but I will. If you're on the fence, come try out the USTC family. You will thank me. read more

My son and I joined together at the beginning of the school year. We wanted a sport we could do together, enjoy and increase our physical health and well being. Master Lee and all of the instructors do an amazing job at helping each student reach their potential at their own pace. In addition to the obvious benefits of routine physical exercise, I have loved watching my son incorporate other elements of the program into his life. For example, in the curriculum for our next belt test, the Black Belt philosophy is focusing on Goal Setting. I've watched my son start documenting his goals for the week each Sunday night and feel excited and proud as he meets those goals. I've also watched him demonstrate perseverance in continuing to work toward longer term goals, or to continue to push forward to achieve a goal he may have missed that week. He is also learning about how he can be an individual contributor as well as working as a team with our Dojang to help our community. Yesterday he participated in his first Break-A-Thon to raise money for Children's Hospital Colorado. He came home feeling great that he played a small part in helping others. Thank you Master Lee and USTC staff. read more

A year ago today, I was facing the very real possibility of living the rest of my life in a wheel chair after being hit by a truck in 2007 and then subsequently serving in the army. My service aggravated my injuries nearly beyond repair, from what I was told. A year ago today, I was prepping for surgery in the morning. The surgery was mostly a success, but the doctors said I would never be 100% again. U.S. Taekwondo Center and Master Lee are helping me to prove those surgeons wrong. I'm stronger than I've been since the initial injury, and continuing to improve the more I go to class. When I started, I was prone to falling all the time, simply from not being able to walk normally for so long. My balance, flexibility and physical strength are constantly being trained and improved upon, and Master Lee and the Instructors are able to instruct in such a way that I don't risk hurting myself in the process. USTC gives me something to work towards, and really is a family atmosphere that fosters respect and discipline. read more

My son and I joined this school three months ago and have enjoyed every minute of it so far! I took karate for three years as a kid, so when my five-year-old son expressed an interest in doing martial arts we looked at the various programs around town. In my opinion, the US Taekwondo Center is by far the best program available. Why? Because it focuses on the traditional virtues of martial arts such as discipline, respect, and commitment. Furthermore, they have an outstanding program for families. I get to train with my son and the USTC's character development program has dramatically improved his behavior at home. I was initially concerned that by training with my son I might not get a good workout, but there are plenty of other adults in the joint classes so Master Lee and the other instructors ensure that everyone is challenged. If you are looking for a great way to get some more exercise, spend time with your family members, and enhance your personal safety then USTC is the place for you! read more

I have been training at the USTC location in Monument for nearly 3 years. I initially just signed up one of my 5 children in the hope that it would help with his level of respect and his self-confidence - I was not disappointed. A few months later I myself signed up with two more of my children, and have been extremely pleased with the growth that I have seen in each of them, and not just from a standpoint of respect and self-confidence. They have become much more disciplined in school with regards to schoolwork. Around the home and within our church they are taking the initiative to pitch in when they see a need, and not (always) just wait to be asked to help. I am not saying that TKD is a quick fix for every issue and every child...but it certainly has helped with different things in my family. read more

Committing to train at the USTC is one decision I will never regret. I originally joined to get in shape and work on my self-confidence but I have gained so much more: perseverance, the mind-body-spirit connection, new supportive friendships, control of my asthma, and a common interest/experience with my kids! Yes, it is a big commitment, but what I've gained by training here far surpasses what I ever got out of a gym. Even after a long absence, the USTC staff has welcomed us back like long lost friends and honored our agreement for my family to train until we reach our goal of black belt. Best of all, the program includes improved self-defense techniques incorporated from expert Dave Young, which is much more important to me than the sparring aspect that other Taekwondo programs focus on. read more

My family began our journey with Taekwondo when we decided to have our 6 year old daughter try it with my wife. We thought it would be good for them to know some self defense. After we got more involved, we found it to be so much more than that. It has become something our family looks forward to almost daily. Now my 4 year old son and I go as well and it has left a huge impact on our family life. Respect is number one and our children have started helping more around the house and have surprised me with obedient 'yes, mom' and 'yes, dad' replies lately. I think any family can gain quite a bit from the training. I can't stress enough how this one activity has brought our family closer together and created a very respectable goal for all of us to work toward together. read more

There is wonderful family atmosphere at this school. Our family of four all train together and enjoy the mental and physical challenge. I can't think of another activity that our whole family could do together that would have the benefits we've found through USTC. They focus on respect, discipline, perseverance, focus, confidence. We've seen positive changes in our kids with showing respect at home and school as well as better focus at school. Over three years we have made so many lasting friendships through this school. It has definitely become our second family. Our experience at USTC has enhanced our lives in so many ways. Go try a free trial lesson. We were hooked from the start and have never looked back! read more

My 3 children and I train at the US Taekwondo Center. We have had a great experience training there. Whether you are a fast or slow learner they know how to work with you and your physical ability. The instructors are great with children and know how to get even the most energetic child to settle down and participate. The New Demo team has built up my son's confidence level and he looks forward to attending class every day. The instructors are very encouraging and show great respect and value to all students. There is great emphasis in traditional family values and in showing respect to each other. Training at the US Taekwondo Center has been fun and challenging for my kids and I. read more

The US Taekwondo Center in Monument has been a terrific experience for our son. Martial arts has played a major role in improving his coordination, confidence and understanding with regard to respect. Master Jay Lee takes time to really get to know the families and work with and care about his students. The impressive quality of the facility and instruction are well worth the investment. The schedule for classes is very flexible, and you can attend the days/times that are best for you. Martial arts can be practiced at any age and these are skills that our son is learning for a lifetime. read more

I highly recommend the U.S. Taekwondo Center. I have been training at the Monument location for 2 1/2 years and have enjoyed every minute. Taekwondo has helped me reduce my stress and improve my fitness. There is a great community of people training at the U.S.T.C who are consistently supportive of one another and genuinely care about the success of others. Additionally, I love that there is always something new to learn. As you advance toward your black belt, there are many opportunities to develop skills and confidence. read more

Great place to learn self-discipline, get fit and develop character. It is an overall holistic approach to taking good care of your family and, you learn great self-defense. It's not just for kids, adults benefit as well. Super nice people! We have made many friends. It's so great to participate as a family, I personally enjoy learning and stretching myself (physically and mentally) instead of sitting on the "side-line." read more

The US Taekwondo Center is one of the best martial arts schools in the US. The classes are always challenging. You learn to overcome your weakness through the excellent teaching of Master Lee. Taekwondo is one of the few disciplines where you can participate with the whole family. The atmosphere is friendly, and nurturing. If you are looking for a Taekwondo school, look no further. The US Taekwondo Center is the best. read more

My family and I have been training with Master Lee and the USTC for three years. It has been a fantastic and growth opportunity personally and for us all. It has been exciting to see how my children have changed and matured. They are doing great in school and we others are always telling us how well behaved they are. We are hopefully nearing our black belts but that is not the end or the journey, only the beginning. read more