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1st Class Martial Arts

4.9 ★★★★★ 264 Google reviews · Taekwondo school in Torrance, California

Taekwondo school Beginners welcome Kids & teens

Plan your first class

  • Kids & teens classes kids and teens taekwondo classes — built around discipline, focus, confidence, and anti-bully skills
  • Beginner-friendly all ages and levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule 1stclassmartialarts.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (424) 399-8180

Hours

Monday 1–8:30 PM
Tuesday 1–8:30 PM
Wednesday 1–8 PM
Thursday 1–8:30 PM
Friday Closed
Saturday 8:45 AM–2 PM
Sunday Closed

Hours shift for holidays, belt tests, and tournaments — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

Taekwondo classes on the schedule at 1st Class Martial Arts, confirmed in students' own reviews and the school's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Taekwondo 40 mentions

“My child absolutely loves and looks forward to class, and I’ve seen a huge boost in confidence, focus, and discipline since she started.”

All schools that run kids taekwondo →

🛡️ Self-Defense 5 mentions

“They teach him discipline and self defense and also they give him more confidence on everything he tries to do.”

All schools that run self-defense →

Other martial arts here

Taekwondo schools are often multi-discipline. Here's what else students mention training under the same roof at 1st Class Martial Arts — mined from their reviews and the school's own info.

🎽 Karate

“My daughter loves coming to her karate class.”

Other schools that also teach karate →

🛡️ Self-Defense 5 mentions

“They teach him discipline and self defense and also they give him more confidence on everything he tries to do.”

Other schools that also teach self-defense →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the school's own info — they show what students have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want hapkido, karate, or judo alongside your taekwondo, confirm the current schedule with the school.

What students say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 264 Google reviews — in their own words.

🌱 welcoming to beginners 6 mentions

“The studio creates a welcoming, supportive community where kids feel proud of their progress and supported every step of the way.”

🤝 friendly, family atmosphere 18 mentions

“Andre provide a positive, active, encouraging, motivational, supportive, and informative learning environment, which will help our son to earn his black belt in Spring 2027.”

📘 strong forms & technique 4 mentions

“The kids have fun and learn self defense techniques which was something that I was looking for.”

🧒 strong kids program 11 mentions

“My child absolutely loves and looks forward to class, and I’ve seen a huge boost in confidence, focus, and discipline since she started.”

certified & recognized school 2 mentions

“There’s 4 cycles per year, and 5 main levels based on age and level (little samurai, discovery, black belt training, master training, and elite/adult).”

🧠 builds confidence & discipline 53 mentions

“My son started here in the Little Samurai program and has grown so much through Master Training, especially in confidence, focus, and self-discipline.”

From the reviews

Our girls (8 & 11) have been with this studio since 2020. I’ve enjoyed watching my girls grow stronger both mentally and physically. The instructors are passionate and respectful to every one that steps onto the mat. These instructors aren’t just coaches, they are mentors to my kids.

★★★★★ — Liz, Apr 2025

My daughter loves coming to her karate class. All the instructor are helpful and supportive. The kids have fun and learn self defense techniques which was something that I was looking for. I wanted my daughter to learn self defense and discipline. So far she has learn many techniques and she enjoys coming to class.

★★★★★ — Fatima, Apr 2025

Both of my kids attend 1st Class Martial Arts and it has been an amazing experience for our family. The instructors do a great job teaching discipline, respect, and focus while also making the classes fun and engaging for the kids.

★★★★★ — Jason, Mar 2026

My son has been training here since the pandemic, and it has been such a positive experience for our family. The instructors are patient, encouraging, and truly care about the kids—not just as students, but as individuals.

★★★★★ — Carmen, Mar 2026

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 264 reviews →

New to taekwondo? Start at 1st Class Martial Arts

1st Class Martial Arts comes up as a beginner-friendly school, going by their listing and students’ reviews. If you've never trained or set foot in a dojang, 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 instructors scale the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard sparring — reputable schools build fundamentals (stances, blocks, kicks, and basic forms) for weeks, sparring eases in gradually and with gear on, and instructors keep it controlled and safe. Third, all ages and all levels 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 schools are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first taekwondo class at 1st Class Martial Arts

Nervous about walking into a taekwondo school for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good instructors expect 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, and kicks with a partner or on pads — not hard sparring. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: loose athletic wear you can move in (or a dobok if you have one); you'll train barefoot on the floor. What to bring: water and a positive attitude — many schools lend a loaner dobok for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll get your own dobok and belt, and sparring gear (mouthguard, headgear, and guards) once you begin sparring. Sparring eases in gradually, once your fundamentals and forms are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the instructor. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.

Taekwondo is a martial art and a contact sport. Ease in, listen to your instructors, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find 1st Class Martial Arts

17240 Hawthorne Blvd, Torrance, CA90504

Get directions

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and student reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this school? Claim your listing — it's free.