Reviews of Coffrin's ATA Martial Arts

I wanted my kids to be able to protect themselves if a stranger came up to them. I wanted them to have a series of tricks they could use on the fly if they were grabbed so they could have a better chance of getting away. I don't think yelling "Stop!" or "Leave me alone!" or "I know Tae Kwon Do!" while throwing hands up protecting the face is very effective. They were not taught to lower their chin if grabbed from behind to keep airflow moving. They were not taught how to pull the thumbs back or dislocate an elbow. They were not taught how to stomp down on the foot while scraping the shin if grabbed from behind might give them an extra edge. Half the time in class they "took a knee". Not worth the money. Crazy prices for sub-par training.

Let me preface this by saying I think Mrs. Coffrin is a very nice person; she was always polite to me and happy to see my children. I just think that the quality of what was being taught did not meet my expectations nor did it match up to what was being charged. What I wanted for my children was to be able to defend themselves against bullies and discover through hard work and effort a Black Belt could be attained. The defense moves my children learned at ATA cannot compare to what they learned at Walker's during a trial period. Walker's taught very effective moves and ATA fell short. My children do not recall any forms from ATA and this is after going through green belt training, approximately 6 months. Personally, I felt pressured to sign the contract. I talked to another person who actually felt threatened - that there was something wrong with his kids if he did not sign up. (He did not sign.) The contact I signed was for a year and total cost including two uniforms cost $2444.00. at the time I signed the contract, I was not aware that rank testing cost money. That is an additional $48.00 per kid. Rank testing is every 8 weeks. I guess one of the reasons I was alerted was when the kids and I came back from a summer break, there was a rank testing in 4 weeks and after 2 weeks of going to classes only 2 days a week the kids were told they were ready to test for their purple belt when it was obvious to even me that they were not ready. My kids only went 2 times a week, because that is what the contract stated we paid for. If I wanted the kids to go to more classes I would have had to sign a new contract for their Black Belt Club. Another thing I liked about Walker's is that the whole school is a black belt club - no new contracts, no extra money, nothing hidden or kept from us. All costs are given up front. Master Walker is wonderful. He is fantastic with the kids giving them guidance in each class, definitely hands-on. In the 6 months I was at ATA, Mrs. Coffrin was very hands-on, but I did not see Mr. Coffrin interacting with my children that much. I'm guessing I won't receive a refund for the remaining months of the contract I signed and I am okay with that. My family has jumped off the ATA Ship and joined a very family-oriented Tae Kwon Do studio. The kids tossed their green belts and the three of us have restarted our Tae Kwon Do experience as white belts - pure without knowledge.

My son has been at Coffrins ATA school for almost a year and ½ after taking a break from another less organized “school” in town. At one of the first rank graduations we attended, we saw first-hand the integrity of not only the school, but Mr. and Mrs. Coffrin. I’ll just say a difficult situation took place that would be challenging for any parent and instructor. They maintained the integrity of the school while demonstrating heartfelt compassion. All of the instructors are skilled and do a great job of teaching the kids. (and students of all ages) The school has grown a lot since we’ve been there, and yes, there are always growing pains, but the majority of new students are referrals from existing students. That shows what a good school it is. We have also been impressed with what they do for the schools and community. The Coffrins practice what they teach. I’m proud to have the Coffrins ATA Academy sticker on the back of my vehicle…plus it makes my mini-van look at least a little cool!

I DO train at Coffrin's and after reading the last post I was Offended! It couldn't have been made by a real student of their's, because Mr. and Mrs. Coffrin have only been in Bloomington for 3 years and just recently promoted their first student to Black Belt! Also, comparing Songahm Taekwondo to to another style and saying "that's not true taekwondo" is silly. That's like saying steak isn't a true meat because it's not pork.

Mr. Coffrin teaches Police Officers defensive tactics all over the state, I'd say that's pretty qualified.

I love it here, and couldn't be happier! Believe me it's NOT easy. I can't wait until my kids are old enough because their kids programs are great too.

I got my black belt here and I was very proud of myself. I decided to try another school while I was on vacation for fun. I was taken to the cleaners by a yellow belt. It was embarrassing and eye opening. Coffrin's are nice folks, but ATA does not teach true Tae Kwon Do. I first got into martial arts to defend myself. Going through, I never really thought about how little sparring we did or what the forms meant. I just went through the motions. I also received my black belt in a little under 2 years. I thought because I was paying out so much money that the quality of education would be there. I was wrong. Was it great exercise? Yes. Were the people nice? Yes. But did I learn what I set out to learn? No. I started over as a white belt elsewhere to learn the right way. I spent approximately $11,000.00 just to start at the beginning. It was an expensive mistake. If you want to have fun and not be serious about it, then this is a great place to go. It wasn't what I wanted for me though. Wish I had researched ATA earlier.

My wife and I couldn't be happier with the instruction our kids are getting. It is family friendly and the Coffrins and the other instrutors treat my kids with love and respect. We ate proud to be involved with them.

Never will you meet a more enthusiastic and energetic group of instructors. They don't just run a martial arts studio, they invest in their students and make it a community and a family.

Our daughter was in martial arts before relocateing to the area, so when we moved here we knew what type of taekwondo family we were looking for. We spent many days going around the Bloomington/Normal area looking and watching different classes at LOTS of other studios. When we walked into Coffrins we new RIGHT away that this was the place for us! The class that was out on the floor was so focused and families all around where so happy with the studio and a joy to talk to. The Coffrins themselves were very easy to talk to and welcomeing(something we did not feel at other studios). Now that we have been a part of Coffrins ATA Martial Arts for well over a year and a half we could not be happier with our decision. All the instructors are not only great instructors but they really care about each one of the students.The students are more then just a number to them, they know each and everyones name and greet EVERYONE by name(includeing parents). Not only is this studio teaching our daughter taekwondo they also are teaching so many other skills for life, such as how to set goals,courtesy,loyalty,respect,honor and self-control.

THANK YOU to everyone at Coffrins ATA MArtial Arts!!!!!! Keep up all the great things you do for the kids and families of the studio!!!!!!!!!!

Mr and Ms coffrin are amazing teachers, best place in town for martial arts