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Desert Taekwondo
5 ★★★★★ 26 Google reviews · Taekwondo school in Tucson, Arizona
Style / system: ITF (Traditional) — based on the school's own site and student reviews. Taekwondo systems (Olympic/World Taekwondo, ITF, and ATA/Songahm) differ in forms, sparring rules, and tournaments; if lineage matters to you, confirm it with the school. ATA vs WT vs ITF, explained →
Affiliated school — reviews and the school's own info point to a recognized taekwondo organization or franchise (think ATA Martial Arts, Kukkiwon certification, World Taekwondo, or ITF). If credentials matter to you, ask which association the school belongs to and where the head instructor earned their black-belt (dan) rank and certification.
Plan your first class
- Kids & teens classes kids and teens taekwondo classes (ages 3–12) — 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
- Competition & demo team a competition and demonstration team for students who want to test themselves at tournaments and events
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule deserttkd.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 520-790-0993
Hours
| Monday | 5:30–7:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 5:30–7:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 5:30–7:30 pm |
| Thursday | 5:30–7:30 pm |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 9 am–12 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“My son has problems coordinating and English is his second language but the instructors are very understanding and help him in a very patient manner.”
“They are rewarded with stripes to signify hard work and learned skills.”
Other martial arts here
What students say
“I've been training at Desert Taekwondo since the spring of '23: excellent instructors, a family atmosphere, and personal attention given to each student to help them excel.”
“I've been training at Desert Taekwondo since the spring of '23: excellent instructors, a family atmosphere, and personal attention given to each student to help them excel.”
“My son learns kindness and respect for others as well as cool kicks ans punches!”
“Master Brian Malm is a World-Class Instructor with many outstanding achievements in both teaching and competition in the Martial Arts.”
“Master Brian Malm is a World-Class Instructor with many outstanding achievements in both teaching and competition in the Martial Arts.”
“taekwondo and master malm have changed my life and have had such a impact on my life i dont know were id be without master malm and desert taekwondo.”
From the reviews
Desert Taekwondo is Fun. My 6 yr old has a blast 3 x a week. Based on principles of integrity, respect, and perseverance. The instructors promote exercise and health. The parents are from evey demographic in Tucson. But all they all have a common goal for they kids they love.
When I moved to Tucson, I spent months trying to find the best Taekwondo dojang in Pima County for adults. I went to dozens of studios until I finally found Desert Taekwondo. Master Malm is an outstanding instructor, known across the country.
They are very professional and thorough. My son has problems coordinating and English is his second language but the instructors are very understanding and help him in a very patient manner.
I have been training with grandmaster Malm for almost twenty years he is a great teacher
New to taekwondo? Start at Desert Taekwondo
Desert Taekwondo 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.
Your first taekwondo class at Desert Taekwondo
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.
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