Taekwondo Classes in Andover: Olympic-Style Training for All Ages, Built on Real Progress
For more than 32 years, families across Andover have trusted our Taekwondo classes to help children, teens, and adults achieve lasting growth. Our Taekwondo Classes in Andover provide more than physical fitness—they build confidence, discipline, focus, and leadership skills that carry into school, work, and everyday life. From the moment you bow onto the mat, you’ll be welcomed into a positive, respectful training environment dedicated to helping every student succeed.
The kind that shows up at the dinner table, in the classroom, and on the playground
Ego stays at the door — every student is known by name, regardless of skill level
A transparent curriculum spanning poomsae (patterns), kyorugi (sparring), and kyukpa (breaking), so your next step is always clear
Patient with beginners, precise with detail, and fully invested in your journey from day one
- Google reviews 4.8/5 from 47+ Andover students and parents.
47+
Five-Star Reviews on Google
32+ Years
Proudly Serving Andover Since 1994
4.8 ★
Google Rating
Fill out the form below to claim your class pass today!
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Choose the Program That Matches Your Goals
What Brings Families to Taekwondo Classes in Andover in the First Place
The first call usually sounds something like this: “I think my child needs something — I’m just not sure what.”
Or from an adult: “I used to feel strong and focused. Something has to change.”
Different words, same need.
A need for structure. For discipline that’s earned, not imposed. For an activity that builds something real — not just keeps them occupied.
That something is Taekwondo.
And our school is where Andover families come to find it.
For more than 32 years, we’ve perfected a training environment designed to help every student succeed. Parents tell us it’s where their child finally found the confidence and discipline to thrive. Adults find a challenging yet rewarding practice that improves fitness, focus, and mental clarity. And every new student—regardless of age, experience, or ability—is welcomed into a supportive community where the journey from white belt to black belt is clearly defined from the very first class.
Our curriculum is grounded in the original principles of Taekwondo — tae (foot), kwon (fist), do (way) — and anchored in the Five Tenets that have defined the art since its Korean roots: Courtesy. Integrity. Perseverance. Self-Control. Indomitable Spirit.
These aren’t values we talk about. They’re values students train, practice, and embody until they become second nature.
For Adults
You're ready for a real challenge — even if you haven't said it out loud
At some point, the gym stopped being enough. Cardio got repetitive. Streaming workouts felt hollow. What's missing isn't another routine — it's a discipline. Taekwondo gives you a craft you can train your entire life and never fully master: built on technique, timing, and constant refinement.
Your mind needs a space where work can't follow you
Deadlines, notifications, and mental noise don't stop on their own. The dojang is one of the few places where your phone goes away and stays away. After an hour of poomsae (patterns), conditioning drills, and sparring, students consistently say the same thing: I completely forgot what was weighing on me.
You want to be capable, strong, and confident in your body
Most fitness programs leave you tired but not truly capable. Taekwondo classes in Andover build power, balance, flexibility, and real self-defense ability as a natural outcome of the training itself. By the time you earn your first color belt, you'll move differently — and the people around you will notice.
You've always been drawn to martial arts — you just never started
Maybe you watched the Olympics and wondered. Maybe you tried a class once and felt out of place. Most adults assume they've missed their window. They haven't. ATA Martial Arts was built for adults starting fresh, and our curriculum is paced so you grow steadily without ever feeling like the slowest person in the room.
For Parents
You want an activity that shapes who your child is becoming
Sports develop narrow skills. Screens develop nothing. Taekwondo develops character: a child who bows when entering a room, who finishes what they start, who handles losing with composure, and who carries themselves with quiet confidence. Parents consistently tell us this is the most valuable hour of their child's week.
Your child is capable of more than they've been shown
Children hear that they're great all the time. They're rarely given the chance to prove it themselves. Taekwondo changes that. We give kids genuinely hard things to accomplish — a difficult kick, a long form, an intimidating board to break — and let them experience the satisfaction of earning it. Real confidence follows.
Focus and self-control aren't being built anywhere else
Schools are stretched thin. Devices fragment attention. Children today aren't lacking ability — they're lacking the experience of sustained, focused effort that builds the brain for school and life. Every Taekwondo class at ATA Martial Arts is designed to require concentration, patience, and follow-through. Parents see the difference at home and in school faster than they expect.
Confidence is the best defense against bullying
A child who stands tall, makes eye contact, and carries themselves with composure is far less likely to be targeted. Taekwondo builds exactly that. And if a situation ever escalates, your child will know how to use voice, posture, and — when truly necessary — physical skill to protect themselves without becoming the aggressor.
Getting Started with Taekwondo in Andover Is Easier Than You Think
No overwhelming paperwork. No pressure-filled sales call. Just four clear steps from “I’ve been thinking about this” to your first class on the mat.
Claim Your Class Pass
Pick a time that works for your schedule. Show up in clothes you can move in. That's all you need to do.
Train in a Real Class
You'll bow in alongside our regular students, learn your first stances, and practice foundational kicks and basic blocks. You'll see poomsae (patterns) demonstrated and take part in a structured, beginner-friendly session from the very start.
Find Your Best Schedule
We'll talk through your goals — fitness, family, self-defense, competition — and match you with the right program and class times that work around your week.
Step Onto the Path
White belt, yellow stripe, yellow belt — your journey begins with your very first class. Every belt represents a milestone with clear criteria. You'll always know exactly what comes next.
Andover Taekwondo Reviews — Told by Our Students Themselves
From parents whose children transformed within their first 90 days, to adults who finally discovered something that truly stuck.
Why ATA Martial Arts Produces Students Who Keep Coming Back — and Show Up Changed
Many schools teach kicks. Very few create the kind of environment where students still walk through the door three, five, or ten years later. Here’s what we do differently.
A curriculum that maps your entire journey
From the moment you tie on your white belt, you can see the road ahead. Our syllabus is built around a structured progression of poomsae (patterns), technique requirements, sparring milestones, and breaking achievements. For students training 3 days a week, the first color belt typically arrives within the first month, and black belt within 10. No guesswork. No politics. Just a clearly marked path.
Instructors who remember your name by day two
Our instructors are full-time educators, not weekend hobbyists. They train consistently, pursue continuing education, and prepare for every class the way a great teacher prepares for every lesson. You will never be just a face here. Come in tomorrow and we'll remember your goals, your last milestone, and what you said you wanted to improve.
Character that becomes part of who you are
The Five Tenets aren't decorations — they're drilled, spoken aloud, and reinforced in every class. Students bow when they arrive. They address instructors respectfully. They acknowledge their training partners. After a few months, this isn't performance; it's simply how they operate. Parents, teachers, and mentors all notice the difference.
A community that genuinely cheers for each other
Step into the dojang on any weeknight and you'll see something rare: people of every age, fitness level, and background encouraging each other's wins. Our students attend belt tests they aren't even taking. They befriend each other's families. They check in when someone misses a week. The training brings people in — the community is what keeps them.
Sr. Master Robert Landrum
“Martial arts has been a big part of my life for decades, and what I love most is seeing the impact it has on students. I run this school because I believe every child and adult deserves the opportunity to build confidence, focus, and a strong “Yes, I can” attitude. Every day, I enjoy helping students grow, overcome challenges, and develop the leadership skills that carry over into school, home, and life. Watching students become more confident and take pride in their progress is what drives me.”
Taekwondo Classes in Andover — Designed Around Your Stage Of Life
Whatever brought you here — a parent looking for the right activity for a child, a teen needing direction, an adult ready to begin — we have a class designed around exactly that.
- Age-appropriate movement games that make learning feel like play
- Basic kicks, stances, and blocks introduced through imagination and storytelling
- Listening skills and self-control reinforced naturally in every class
- Visible gains in balance, coordination, and body awareness
- Positive, celebration-based progression where every effort is recognized
- Safe and supportive environment for both shy and energetic personalities
- Classes designed to build early confidence without pressure
- High-energy, structured classes that hold attention from beginning to end
- Foundational kicks, blocks, and stances taught in the right order at the right pace
- Anti-bullying awareness and stranger safety woven into the curriculum
- Measurable improvements in focus, listening, and emotional regulation
- Clear belt progression with defined technical requirements at every level
- Welcoming for all kids — athletic, quiet, outgoing, or brand new to sports
- After-school programs, summer camps, and school holiday sessions also available
- High-intensity training that channels teenage energy productively
- A peer environment built on mutual respect, not social status
- Leadership pathways through assistant instructor and demo team roles
- Olympic-style sparring in a controlled, age-appropriate format
- Practical self-defense skills relevant to teen life
- A clear belt path from white belt through to junior black belt
- Complete cardiovascular, strength, mobility, and balance training in every class
- Both traditional and Olympic-style kyorugi (sparring) paths available
- Practical, realistic stand-up self-defense techniques
- Stress relief that's earned through real effort — not just claimed
- A judgment-free environment welcoming beginners and experienced practitioners alike
- Class times scheduled around working adult and family life
- Start any week of the year — no enrollment cycles or waiting periods
Ready to Join Our Community?
We offer taekwondo classes in Andover for every age group and starting point. Let us help you find the right fit — no pressure, just come experience a class for yourself!
What Taekwondo Classes in Andover Have Done for Our Students — In Real Life
These are real students, real families, and real transformations. Names have been kept brief for privacy, but every story is one we’ve personally watched unfold on our mats.
Kids Program
- Wouldn't speak in class and froze when called on
- Came home from school exhausted but couldn't fall asleep at night
- Had been called "shy" his whole life — and had started to believe it
- His parents were running out of ideas
- Volunteered to lead the class warm-up within his first three months
- Performs his poomsae (patterns / forms) in front of the dojang (taekwondo school) without flinching
- Teacher reports he's become one of the most reliable kids in the classroom
- Just earned his orange belt and asked for a second class per week
Adult Program
- Hadn't done a real workout since college
- Hips so tight she couldn't sit cross-legged comfortably
- Felt invisible in her 40s and didn't know how to break the cycle
- Had walked past our front door for two years before finally coming in
- Trains four nights a week and competes in friendly in-house tournaments
- Kicks above her own head in class — something she said was "biologically impossible" a year ago
- Has lost 22 pounds without ever stepping on a scale on purpose
- Earned her green belt and brought her partner along to start training
Teen Program
- Drifting socially, no real interests outside of gaming
- Started skipping school events and turning down invitations
- His parents noticed his confidence quietly slipping
- Had tried two team sports and quit both within a season
- Trains five days a week and is on track for his black belt before he leaves for university
- Has become an assistant in our junior class — a role that requires patience and presence
- Grades climbed a full letter average within two semesters
- Now the kid that the younger students look up to
What Makes ATA Martial Arts Different From Every Other Taekwondo School in Andover
Plenty of dojangs will teach you a roundhouse kick. Very few build the kind of place families call their second home. Here’s what genuinely sets us apart.
Teachers first, performers second
Every black belt on our staff is a working instructor — not a part-time hobbyist. They are trained to break complex techniques into steps that a six-year-old and a sixty-year-old can both grasp and apply.
A beginner experience designed with intention
Most martial arts schools drop new students into the deep end. We don't. Our white belt curriculum is specifically built to grow confidence and competence together — so every single class ends with the feeling of genuine progress, not overwhelm.
Character lives in the training, not on the wall
The Five Tenets aren't inspirational posters — they're woven into every drill, every exchange, and every class. Students don't just hear about perseverance and courtesy; they practice them until those values become instinct. By month three, the shift is unmistakable. It shows up in the classroom, at home, and in every relationship they carry.
Belt promotions that actually mean something
Our promotions are based on demonstrated technical skill, consistent attendance, and Five Tenet conduct — not on how long you've been paying tuition. When you earn a belt at ATA Martial Arts, it represents real achievement.
Programs built around real human stages of life
Six-year-olds aren't small adults. Teenagers don't want to be treated like children. Adults don't want to train on a kids' floor. Every class is age-specific in design and delivered by an instructor who specializes in that exact age group.
A training environment that reflects our standards
Clean mats. Maintained equipment. Inspected uniforms. Aligned students. The dojang itself is part of the lesson — and the standards we hold for our space mirror what we expect from ourselves and every student who trains here.
Traditional depth, Olympic-style sharpness
Our students train both paths — the depth of traditional poomsae (patterns), breaking, and self-defense drills, combined with the speed, footwork, and excitement of Olympic-style kyorugi (sparring). Together, they develop a truly complete Taekwondo practitioner.
Train as a Family, Grow as a Family
Share the mat with your child, sibling, or partner. Build strength and skill side by side — and create bonds that reach far beyond the dojang.
Black Belt Instructors Invested in Your Progress
Our instructors are masters of their craft who are deeply invested in your development. Here’s the team that will guide your journey.
Sr. Master Robert Landrum
Owner / Chief Instructor
7th Degree Black Belt. Sr. Master Robert Landrum is the Chief Instructor of ATA Martial Arts. He is a 7th Degree Black Belt as of 2019 and has been teaching Taekwondo in the Andover/North Andover area since 1993. He is the 2006, 2011, 2014, and 2016 World Champion in sparring and serves as a regional advisor for the ATA in New England.
Kayla McCluskey
Program Director
Mrs. McCluskey began her taekwondo journey in 2019 as she joined ATA Andover staff. Mrs. McCluskey is a full time special education teacher. Mrs. McCluskey’s dream is to share her knowledge with parents about ATA and how her family has benefited from the ATA Program.
Veronica Barboza
Certified Instructor
5th Degree Black Belt. Mrs. Barboza began her taekwondo journey in 1987. Dedication and perseverance has led her to 7 World Titles and a Member of Team USA in Sparring and Combat Weapons. Mrs. Barboza has set her next goal for 6th Degree Black Belt in 2025 and Mastership in 2026.
Guy Hoefer
Certified Instructor
3rd Degree Black Belt. Mr. Hoefer began his taekwondo career in 1986. Unwavering determination and discipline led Mr. Hoefer to a World Title in Sparring in 2022 after earning several silver medals at prior World competitions. Mr. Hoefer continues to train hard and is focused on maintaining his World Title. He enjoys helping others set their goals and grow their skills.
Everything You Want to Know Before Booking Your First Taekwondo Classes in Andover
The questions we hear most often. If something’s missing, call us at 978-749-0880 and we’ll answer it directly.
What is Taekwondo?
Is Taekwondo or Karate better?
Both are excellent martial arts with different strengths. Taekwondo classes are known for its powerful, dynamic kicking techniques and is a recognized Olympic sport with a structured competition pathway. Karate places greater emphasis on hand strikes and close-range techniques. For families in Andover looking for Olympic-style training combined with strong character development, Taekwondo Classes in Andover offer a clear, structured path for all ages and starting points.
Is Taekwondo or Jiu-Jitsu better?
What is so special about Taekwondo?
Taekwondo lessons are one of the few martial arts that is both a deeply traditional discipline and a modern Olympic sport. It develops the whole person — physically through strength, flexibility, and coordination; mentally through focus and self-control; and socially through the respect and community built inside the dojang. Students of all ages train the same art, which means families can share the mat and grow together.
What are the main benefits of practicing Taekwondo Classes in Andover?
Students who train regularly in our Taekwondo class develops improved fitness, stronger focus, better self-control, and genuine confidence. For children, parents frequently report better behavior at home and improved performance in school within the first few months. Adults gain a challenging, rewarding physical practice alongside real stress relief and a supportive community. All students benefit from the structured belt system, which provides clear goals and visible progress.
What skills does Taekwondo focus on?
What is the difference between Olympic Taekwondo and traditional Taekwondo?
Do Taekwondo Classes in Andover focus more on kicks or punches?
A Taekwondo lesson is known for its emphasis on kicking techniques, which make up the majority of the striking curriculum. That said, hand techniques — blocks, straight punches, and defensive strikes — are an important part of the training. In competition, kicks score the most points. In self-defense and traditional practice, a balanced combination of both is developed. Beginners start with foundational kicks like the front kick, roundhouse, and side kick before progressing to more advanced techniques.
How long does it take to progress through Taekwondo belts?
Progress depends on consistent attendance, effort, and meeting the technical requirements at each level. For students training 3 days per week, the first color belt typically arrives within the first month, and black belt is achievable within approximately 10 years of focused training. Our curriculum makes requirements transparent at every level, so students and parents always know exactly what comes next — no surprises, no politics.
What equipment or uniform do you need for Taekwondo?
New students typically begin in comfortable athletic clothing for their first trial class — no special equipment is required to get started. Once enrolled, students wear a dobok (the traditional Taekwondo uniform). As training progresses, sparring gear including a helmet, chest protector, forearm guards, shin guards, and foot pads is introduced when students begin kyorugi (sparring). We’ll guide you through everything you need at the right time, so there’s no need to purchase anything before your first class.
Take the First Step — Your Taekwondo Journey Begins with One Class
Whether you’re a parent searching for the activity that finally clicks for your child, an adult ready to invest in something with real depth, or a teen looking for direction and a peer group worth being part of — your first class is what makes everything else real. Step onto the mat, train alongside our community, and feel for yourself why Andover families have been walking through our doors for over 32 years.
Looking for Taekwondo Classes in Andover or nearby in North Andover, Lawrence, Methuen, Haverhill, Tewksbury, Wilmington, Dracut, Boxford, or Reading? ATA Martial Arts is located on Haverhill Street (Route 133) in Andover, just one block from Main Street (Route 28) and minutes from downtown Andover, with free parking available on-site and class times built around real family schedules.
Class pass spots are limited each week. Reserve yours today.
ATA Martial Arts
Andover
Andover, North Andover, Lawrence, Methuen, Haverhill, Tewksbury, Wilmington, Dracut, Boxford, Reading
- Located on Haverhill Street (Route 133) in Andover, just one block from Main Street (Route 28) and minutes from downtown Andover.
- Free parking available on-site with easy access to the entrance.
- Sunday
- Closed
- Monday
- 08:00 am - 09:00 pm
- Tuesday
- 08:00 am - 09:00 pm
- Wednesday
- 08:00 am - 09:00 pm
- Thursday
- 08:00 am - 09:00 pm
- Friday
- 08:00 am - 06:00 pm
- Saturday
- 10:30 am - 01:30 pm
Fill out the form below to claim your class pass today!
By opting in, you agree to receive periodic text messages & emails from ATA Martial Arts. Your information will never be shared. Reply STOP to cancel. Standard rates may apply. View our Terms of Service & Privacy Policy.
WARNING: This Offer Expires Soon...