Please join me in congratulating Seo's Martial Arts Academy and their team of 59 students and instructors who recently competed in the 2019 US Open Taekwondo Hanmadang in Colorado Springs. In the two-day tournament, competing with teams from across the country and around the world, #TeamSeo participated in multiple events, including forms and power board breaking, earning 135 medals (66 Gold, 41 Silver and 28 Bronze). These results absolutely demonstrate the high level of excellence in training students receive at Seo's Martial Arts every day! We are #SeoStrong! To become a member of #TeamSeo, visit www.seosmartialartsacademy.com or call (303)431-2200 today! read more

Seo's Martial Arts - Seo's Martial Arts demonstrates excellence at 2019 US Open Taekwondo Hanmadang - Martial Arts Near Me - Arvada, Colorado

Please read all previous reviews, very accurate! We signed up our kindergarten student to teach her discipline and respect for her teachers at school. Upon dropping $3200 for a parent/child combo for the year, we hoped that the sticker shock would wear off after that investment. The instructors are incredible and remember every students name, making it a very personal experience! They help the children stay focused and truly make the sessions special for the kids. Can't say enough positive about the daily instructors and staff at Seos. After starting for about 2 weeks, my daughter and I were pulled into these "check up" sit downs in the side offices. These sessions quickly changed to The Masters Club and how our student needed to enroll in these extra classes and instruction. These 2-4 year contracts added another $240/month to tuition for our 6 year old student. These check ups happened 9 more times in the first 5 weeks of our beginnings at Seos. To recap, $3k/year plus another $240/month for the Masters club to for the next 2-4 years. We completed our year commitment and said our goodbyes. Good intentions, bad sales practices. read more

I will start this review on a positive note. Many of the instructors are simply incredible! Master Peterson commands respect and is each of my sons' favorite instructor. Master Seo and Mister Seo are amazing! Especially Mister Seo is consistently at the Arvada location and his enthusiasm is equally consistent. Over a year has passed since we formally left SEO's Martial Arts. I had settled to let our poor experience go (the online reviews already speak for themselves). Yet, our family continues to be upsold. It is this unrelenting asking for money is what has me returning to finally leave a review. We stayed for 2 reasons. We had already paid for a full year and they make it extremely clear that they make no reimbursements under any circumstances. And when our family commits to something, we do it. I think that's valuable for kids to see modeled. Second reason: the instructors. And that's where it really counts, right? Who the kids actually engage with. I suspect martial arts is incredible! In fact, I know several people who love it, but all go to different studios. If you're interested, I'd suggest a different studio. Why? Please see the last 7 screenshots for a very in-depth explanation, supported with time stamps and real examples. But in summary: * Master O'Halloran is persistent in communication with the end goal to sell. * Whom is staff can be unclear. Students are frequently asked to instruct, review, or hold pads - even brand new students. * While not all non-teaching staff is rude, many are. A very few instructors as well. * A quarter of class, especially for littler kids, is frequently typical school games. Not martial arts. * Communication is poor, redundant, and (again) the end goal is a commitment to spend more money. * Unexpected fees arise frequently. If you don't comply, the student is not allowed to graduate to the next belt. read more

See all

If I could give it 0 stars I would. I paid them 2,300 dollars for a year and not even 2 months in they started trying to squeeze thousands more out of me. For a place that preaches honor and discipline they don't have either. Bring your kids somewhere else. read more

Took my child here years ago and would give it 0 stars if I could. As another reviewer mentioned, the early lessons are fun and used to rope you in to a long term contract. Once they have your money locked in, they are no longer interested in making the lessons fun, or even very useful. My child barely learned anything except how to not enjoy this activity. Master O"Holloran and Grand Master Seo speak all the time of respect, but show no respect to students or parents. Grand Master Seo is primarily not on scene, and when he is he is arrogant, boastful, and rude. I would avoid this school at all costs. read more

I ordered equipment for my daughter over 7 months ago, as it was needed for her to graduate to her next belt level. The lack of communication and transparency from this company has been incredibly frustrating. Some items did arrive, but instead of giving them to us--the customer who had already paid--they were put up for sale in the shop. Whenever I asked about the status of the remaining items, I was told it was an issue with the 'supplier,' yet no real explanation or solution was offered. I spoke with Master O'Halloran who advised me to email him, which I did, but I received no response. I've since sent two more emails and left multiple messages with the front desk, but still nothing. My daughter has now left the program, and they've gone completely silent. On top of this, we recently found out that she wouldn't have been able to use the equipment without signing up for one of their long-term plans (either the Master or Leadership Club). If I had known all this beforehand, we wouldn't have wasted our time or money. I wouldn't recommend this company to anyone looking for clear communication and customer respect read more

We love what this school has done for our 3 kids: Enhanced confidence, expanded athletic ability and learning to respect/learn from someone other than your teachers and parents. Obtaining a black belt is hard work - it is a multi-year journey and family commitment! The instructors have demonstrated the ability and passion to push our kids - we're thankful to Seo's and proud of what our kids have accomplished thus far. read more

Buy a belt Martial Arts studio....If you want a black belt with minimal effort or training then this is your studio. Zero effort put into actually training or teaching their students. "Master " Seo is more interested in talking about how he's a Master of Martial Arts and how much better he is than other instructors, rather than actually making sure his instructors are properly teaching students. Impossible to get in contact with, unless you owe them more money. read more

great place to go to when you want to do martial arts. The people there are the nicest and they work you hard. Going through this experience is amazing read more

Was a student here years ago. They nickel and dime you every chance they get. If you are wanting to learn how to actually defend yourself from assault then look elsewhere. Five years and one black belt later I feel like I received little more than glorified dance classes. read more

This place is a scam. Looks great, sounds great but once they rope you in, they dont hold up their end of the contract. The first year we were there, they made it fun for my 6 year old to go. He looked forward to going and he tried hard at home and at school just to make everyone proud and earn his stripes. After about a year, it not only gets harder (which is fine) but the masters don't care about making it fun anymore and it's like pulling teeth to get your kids to go. It's like they know they have your money so they can treat you and your kids however they would like. Not to mention that you have to pay MORE money for your kids to do all the "slave labor" around there. If you sign up for the leadership program, not only do you have to pay more, but you also have to be there more and you or your child is responsible for cleaning windows floors and toilets. And it you or your kid doesn't do it, then it never gets done (those bathrooms, specifically the boys, are always filthy). We joined for the discipline piece and because they really do play it off like it's going to be fun along the way, but they seem to over look you once you sign-your-name-on -the-dotted-line .I set up a couple meetings with master O to discuss their end of the contract and he wouldn't show up to the meetings. I had to even schedule my work around one of the appointments that we made and he made himself scarce. We tried to talk to him via phone call and he either would not get back to us or he would respond by saying that he can't do anything over the phone. It's 2022. You can do anything over the phone. Got me thinking about what was going on behind the scenes of this place. So after a bit of research, you find out that it's really messy and they are only in business for the money now. I know that if they keep harassing us for leaving though then we are going to have to get our lawyers involved. It's totally not worth it and If you want yourself or your kids to have a fun and productive martial arts experience, DO NOT send them here. read more

Money hungry. Relentless in contract signing. Very commercial and not very personalised. read more

There are some good things about this school, but I will say overall that it's just about the money to Master Seo. There is MR. O'Halloran that is for a lack of better words, your basic "used car salesman". He is completely phony, NEVER looks you in the eye when speaking to you, which could either mean A-He is full of BS, B-He lacks self-confidence, or C-He has absolutely no respect for you, just your money! Now, if I'm not mistaken respect and self-confidence are two of the main things you learn in martial arts!! He is obviously seriously lacking both of these qualities. They rave about how they don't have testing fees, but slap you with fees for patches, equipment, etc. as you go along. The place seems appealing at first, but goes downhill fast. read more

No stars. Not a good place for your kids to go. Prices are out of control..they don't share the extra money you have to spend there. They are not good to the staff let alone the students. Labor board & OSHA & business bureau have been called. read more

As far as Martial arts training is concerned, Seo's is an excellent place to buy a black belt. At the end of the day, the training is alright, most of the instructors are great to talk to, but there is always this overwhelming feeling that something's not quite right. From the "Kool-aide" mentality, to the complete and utter lack of humility Master Seo has, there are a lot of things about Seos' that don't add up to a meaningful black belt. Seo's is a black belt school (read MILL) and with enough time and determination ($$$) you will attain your black belt. What you walk away from Seo's with is a complete misunderstanding of the nature of Martial arts, something to put on your college application, or to brag about to your friends, and the lightest wallet you've ever experienced. Straight forward answer, if you're looking to get into martial arts on a VERY basic level, Soe's may be a fit for you. If you're looking for a place to cultivate your skills, hone your physical abilities and develop an understanding of what it means to be a practitioner of martial arts, TURN AROUND NOW! BEFORE YOU SIGN ANYTHING AND PROMISE TO BUY YOUR BELTS! read more

Money hungry. Good school but they only want money. Be better. Don't only want money. Make me sad. Only wants money. Go somewhere else unless you want your wallet dry. read more

WE LOVE THIS TRAINING, I been bringing my girls over 8 years learning about martial arts and more about respect, they been really helpful over the years I love Seo's Familia read more

The organization offers great training and good facilities but I was completely and utterly lied to and swindled into a contract by Master O'Halloran, can't stnad this person honestly. I am a newly grauduated college student who was broke as a joke and went for their two week trial. At the end of my trial Master O'Halloran sat me down and offered me a contract. I explicitly asked him if by signing this contract I would be obligating myself financially in any way and if i could end my payments on a month by month basis. Ultimately it is definitely my fault cause I didn't read the contract but still. He responded with some sleezy roundabout way to dodge the question. I work three jobs and don't have the time to attend these martial art classes and keep a roof over my head so I have been paying them without being able to reap the benefits. Thankfully, I got a new job and will be moving which stipulates a viable excuse for the contract to be void and I will no longer have to pay them. Master O'Halloran can roast in hell, put so much unnecessary strain on my first year out of college because he wanted to line his own pockets with my hard earned money, sack of shit. read more

The program is very impressive and it is obvious that Master Seo enjoys his craft enormously, as does the staff. Every time we walk through the door the entire staff greets both us and our kids by name. They teach self respect and respect for family, country, community; it is obvious that they live that mantra every minute. Very nice facility, very clean. read more

I have had the worst experience with this school and the way that they treat the parents of students who attend. I have a 7 year old son who has asthma and has been too sick to participate. The contract states that you have to submit a dr note to the school to be let out of the contract which I did. Not only did they not receive the letter when shown a copy of it they would not back date the tuition and had been double charging me for months. It has been over a week and I still have not received the credit in my account. I will not recommend this Karate to school to anyone that I know. It is way over priced and they obviously do not care about anything other than getting their money. read more

okay seos. you're honestly great, but listen. it costs so much for y'all to teach us, and you cant spare 75 cents for dang coffee stirrers. all you have is one sad community spoon to use to stir your watery as heck coffee. that is just unhygienic people. you can get some at the dollar store. my gosh. not takin this down until you get stirrers. read more

If you are ready to commit to black belt excellence, this is the where to be! If u just want exercise or to learn violence, this is the wrong type of school for that. Seo's emphasis is on respect, self discipline and positive development. Totally awesome for kids and adults alike. It is more expensive than other schools, but you pay for the most professional and positive instructors and facilities possible. The instructors are all totally awesome teachers and good people. read more

I have to say my daughter loves this place, I do not regret having her join one bit, her instructors are great, although the only complaint I've seen people say about this place is the price, but then again I'm new to all this but from the reviews they don't show there's nothing good in them, it does worry me but yet I see so many people attending this school, and for the most part the staff is friendly although I've only been here a few months one of the head masters has been gone now for over a month as well as a receptionist, I've seen in past reviews they have a lot of turnover for employees and they do have a lot of kids teaching the classes they couldn't be a day over 16 or younger, it would be nice to have some answers or if the school would reply to some of these reviews , there is a lot of troubling reviews of this school from accusations that grandmaster soe is abusive, I have not seen him around enough to know Anything about him myself, but the fact that Yelp only allows the ONE good review to be recommended and shown is a bit concerning. As long as my daughter enjoys her time here I will continue further , so far we are still in her first year so we are still learning about how things are done. read more

This place is soul crushing for a young kid after they have earned their red belt. Meening that they are considered senior level and they are very strict. My daughter said it felt exhausting that she had to go to school all day and then go here and have them treat them like adults. Mind you my daughter is only 8. This place is like a puppy farm for kids. So many jam packed into one little room in the thornton school. You will see a lot of kids in the starter belts. The advanced classes are very small due to not many making it. read more