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ATA Steele Creek
4.8 ★★★★★ 317 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Charlotte, North Carolina
Plan your first class
- Free trial / intro class most dojos welcome new students with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
- Membership memberships around $300/mo — many dojos also offer a discounted first month and family plans, so ask about new-student rates
- Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
- Kids & youth classes kids and youth Karate classes — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- Private lessons private, one-on-one instruction available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
- Adult classes adult Karate classes — training built for grown-ups, from fitness and fundamentals to kumite (sparring) at your own pace
- Competition team a competition team for students who want to test themselves at kumite tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule atasteelecreek.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (704) 587-9696
Hours
| Monday | 2–9:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 2–9:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 2–9:30 PM |
| Thursday | 2–9:30 PM |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 8 AM–12 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“My grandsons significantly improved their martial arts skills but more importantly they have learned self respect and respect for others.”
“The students have so many leaders that work with them- almost like one on one coaching.”
“The adult classes are welcoming to all experience levels and are a great environment to learn in.”
Other martial arts here
“The instructors here have a special way of being fun and compassionate while still holding the kids accountable and maintaining the structure of Taekwondo.”
What students say
“The adult classes are welcoming to all experience levels and are a great environment to learn in.”
“They create a supportive and encouraging environment where kids can grow not only in martial arts, but also in confidence, discipline, and character.”
“This school has helped shape our son into the strong, confident, respectful young man that he is today.”
“Esposito is a no nonsense instructor, leader at the academy instilling characteristics such as Respect, Positive Attitude, Leadership, Responsibility to name a few….”
From the reviews
This is my daughter’s 2nd year in taekwondo. Mr Esposito and Mrs Michelle are the BEST! They have really taught her soo much and made her step out of her comfort zone and now she LOVES it! Looking forward to the many years to come! They really make you feel like family!
My daughter has been attending ATA since last summer- it is more than just taekwondo. It’s leadership, resilience, commitment and the reward of overcoming challenges- all while in an incredibly encouraging environment! The classes do a great job of not moving so quickly that the students can’t keep up.
We went to one of the Taekwondo events to see my cousin's daughter compete, and were blown away! Wow! My cousin's daughter has done Taekwondo for a while now, and it's helped to transform her life for the better. Not only has it brought her confidence, but discipline and athletic determination.
This school has helped shape our son into the strong, confident, respectful young man that he is today. For more than 7 years, the instructors have encouraged him, challenged him, and believed in him every step of the way. It truly feels like family here.
New to Karate? Start at ATA Steele Creek
ATA Steele Creek comes up as a beginner-friendly dojo — noted on their own site. If you've never thrown a punch or set foot in a dojo, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or flexible to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and the sensei scales the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard sparring — reputable dojos build fundamentals (stances, blocks, punches, and kicks) for weeks, and kumite (sparring) eases in gradually, with pads and control. Third, all levels and ages really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or fundamentals class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out. Most dojos are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.
Your first Karate class at ATA Steele Creek
Nervous about walking into a Karate dojo for the first time? Almost everyone is, and a good sensei expects beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling basic stances, blocks, punches, and kicks — not hard sparring. Step to the side whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: athletic wear you can move in (or a gi if you have one); you'll train barefoot. What to bring: water, and a mouthguard if you have one — many dojos lend a loaner gi for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gi and the belt your dojo awards you. Kumite (sparring) eases in gradually, once your fundamentals are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the sensei. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.
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