I can't comment on the effectiveness of this place in training aspiring martial artists. I have no interest in martial arts, and I'm personally pretty okay with that. This review is mostly about how the guy who owns and operates this place is a complete and total unprofessional asshole with boundary issues. He pulled me, my brother and my boyfriend into his shop with a plea to "give us a flyer" so he could "promote his business." First off, if you'd like to promote your business, a great idea would be to replace the sign that says "CARPET OUTLET" with a sign that says, idk, "Whittier Shotokan Karate"? Shady shady. I seriously thought we were gonna get a pitch for carpet samples 'til we got handed fliers with a bunch of karate dudes on it. So his initial sales pitch was okay. Something about two months for a hundred bucks, with a free uniform. Whatever. We were gonna nod and be polite and leave, but he wouldn't let us. He targeted my brother, who lives in Whittier, and said "I guarantee you can lose 40 pounds." To me and my boyfriend, he said, "You don't need to lose weight. You don't need to lose weight. YOU need to lose weight." Uh, we didn't ask, dude. Crazy rude. He went on to tell us not to "run off" while he went to grab yet more fliers about another deal he has going. When he came back, I had an awkward smile on my face, because I was pissed. This was clearly turning into a hard-sell pitch, and I was feeling defensive of my bro. When this dude (whose name is, I guess, Chuck) saw the smile on my face, he started lecturing me. Seriously? He was all "What's with the smile on your face? You're smiling at me like something's funny. What do you think?" I told him I didn't think much. His attention got turned to my boyfriend, after I mentioned he had done martial arts. He was all "You don't have to tell me. I can tell." Buuuullshit. He spent like five minutes guessing the form he'd done, and asking unnecessary questions. It was seriously invasive and a waste of time. I finally sacked up and was gonna make the standard excuse-- "Oh it's really late (it was past 9pm) and we have to get back to Huntington Beach" but he cut me off and didn't even let me finish the sentence. He literally told me to stop, because my boyfriend "wasn't finished" and was still listening to him. If my boyfriend had said anything in the past solid minute, I might have agreed, but it was just Chuck talking about his "extensive history" in martial arts. So I corrected him, and said that we were, in fact finished. Chuck had the nerve to challenge me, speaking over me and completely ignoring what I'd said to say "She tells you when you're finished!?" Oh my god, fuck this guy. I've never heard anything so rude from ANYONE, much less a business owner who was trying to sell us some needless service. At this point I was definitely angry, but I had a smile glued on my face. I said goodnight and was trying to steer my guys out the door, but Chuck wasn't letting go and kept trying to engage them. He asked my boyfriend if he always lets women tell him what to do. When we finally got out the door, my boyfriend and I split up from my brother, and Chuck followed my brother out the door. My brother's not as ballsy as me. He's reluctant to be even the slightest bit rude to someone. So he was gonna stand there and listen to the pitch AGAIN even though he was being blatantly insulted. So I went over, and Chuck was telling him yet again that he needed to lose weight. I said, "He's fine. *Goodnight*" (for the fifth time!) and literally had to put myself between Chuck and the guys before he would let us leave. He even went as far to ask why I was being protective-- if I was his sister. I said yes. He asked if I was the big sister. I said "No, little." And that was it. Little sister is not to be fucked with. read more

I love this place! Please do not read the negative reviews from the other people, chuck the owner is a little eccentric with the adults, but he is awesome with the kids! Honestly that is all that matters! I don't feel like he cares about the money, so that is why he has these insane deals, but he honestly cares more about the kids and the art of karate. In a matter of two weeks, my sons attitude, self esteem, has shot up 100 percent. He also gives amazing parental advice, if you are open minded and can listen to him. He knows what he is talking about! He knows shotokan, he cares about teaching, and passionate about it, and with that the kids love him, respect him and wants to learn. There are no gimmicks, no contracts, chuck is straight up. The best part is that, you can drop the kids off and then head over next door for your own kick ass workout and mike seril fitness! Come try it, I am there, and I will tell you the truth! If you are looking for someone to help your kids gain self esteem, self respect, self discipline this is the place to bring them! read more

At Whittier Shotokan you will learn first class street self defense. In the street there are no rules and it can be a matter of life or death. You will learn how to effectively defend yourself with your body's natural movements no matter what gender or age. You will learn hand strikes, elbow strikes, knee strikes, kicks, sweeps, throws, knife defense and evasive movements. Along with learning how to defend yourself you will also get a good workout., the warm-ups alone are challenging. read more

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My brother and I attended Chuck's classes over 8 years ago when my brother stopped by to check it out. I decided to try it as well and soon we were both attending weekly. Chuck is an extremely wise man and very experienced. You can tell he has used his training before and it shows. He is a very caring individual and his prices are very reasonable. When it was time for me and my brother to stop going, he practically begged us to stay and even said he would drop the price (it wasn't about money, but you can tell he cared more about us attending than money). He also so happens to go to the same donut shop as my dad and to this day says nothing but great things about us. What I'm trying to get at is that he is a great mentor and long time friend. He wants nothing more than to teach you how to defend yourself and if you show up wanting to learn, YOU WILL. I can go on about small details that show he's not some rude individual (because I guess people don't understand coaching is supposed to be tough on you because it build discipline). I was surprised to see the business is still around and I believe the address was changed to 11712 Washington Blvd, Whittier, CA 90606 I believe they are renting a small portion of a kick boxing gym. I think I've said enough but this place is defiantly worth checking out. Great training and a great mentor. Yes he will be tough on you. Get over it. - Joseph read more

In regards to the other reviews, Chuck is a big time old school Marine full of history and wisdom. Since he was in the military he can be pretty tough. I was in the Navy before so I know what to expect. He is an expert in karate and his knowledge is vast. He has given me an appreciation and love for karate that I never had before I joined Whittier Shotokan and the association. I have a lot of respect for Chuck because he's taught me a lot. If you really want to learn how to properly defend yourself, he's your guy. You not only get a great workout out of the basic training but you also learn a lot from the Kata and applications. Karate and martial arts is not for everyone but if you're ever interested you do learn a lot of self discipline and how to properly defend yourself. read more

This place is old-school. I have been going here on and off for over 10 years now and I can understand what the other reviewer is saying, but I have to disagree. True, Chuck can be harsh on the kids sometimes, however it is not anything "disgusting" as Alfredo M. makes it sound. Also, parents are allowed to watch the classes but they shouldn't always because having the parent there often causes the child to become distracted and perhaps even stressed. Honestly if he doesn't like Chuck, at 5:30pm every Wednesday they have a kid's class instructed my Dr. Chen and he is amazing with the kids and everyone else for that matter. read more

Giving this place two stars only because at one time, I really enjoyed this establishment. Chuck lost me when I brought up a situation to him that needed to be addressed. Instead of confronting the individual with a checkered past, he choose to ask me to be quite about my findings. For weeks after I left, he would harass me about how this man had gotten a " bum rap" and how he was not as bad as the website made him out to be. ( it's a government site) Now, Chuck has over stepped his boundaries and started contacting my wife with my emergency contact information just to see if I would like to go back. He even hung up on her when she asked him to please not misuse that information. I will NEVER come back to this establishment nor will I recommend it. read more

been taking classes here for two months. lost 20 pounds. the instructor chuck is so amazing. you learn life lessons and how to become mentally strong not just karate. he is great with kids i have a special needs boy and he goes out of his way to help.his prices are so reasonable. give him a try you wont regret it. the negative review i believe was written by someone who was having a sensitive day. read more

I used to train with Chuck many years ago. In fact, I was one of his instructors for a couple years. I have the utmost respect for Chuck, his commitment to teaching, and his knowledge of Shotokan Karate. To those that view Chuck's approach as "over the top," do not judge until you have come in and actually trained with him. The organization that he represents, Shotokan Karate of America, is one of the most reputable and disciplined organizations out there. To anyone that has never trained, you cannot imagine the type of commitment and hard work necessary to attain a Black Belt rank within SKA. I treasure mine. To anyone that truly wants to learn what real Martial Arts training is all about, you would be hard pressed to find a better school, or better organization. read more

Please do not believe negative remarks about Whittier Shotokan Karate or Chuck. He is an experienced, knowledgeable, passionate, opinionated, and goodhearted man. His intentions are always honorable towards you and your children! Just sit quietly in a corner and observe his interactions with his students and judge him by his actions and not by idle words from others. He is completely devoted to the success of all his students. I know. I've known him 15 years. Found him through a recommendation from a friend who knew him. And he completely turned my 8 yr old grandson around! He was getting in trouble in school and misbehaving at home. Going in the wrong direction in life. He became obedient, kind, respectful, learned manners, and developed higher values. Just a better kid overall after his karate classes and Chuck's great work with him. Go see Chuck. Do it for yourself. Do it for your kids. Either way you will be rewarded and you will really learn something I promise. read more