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Excel Academy of Tae Kwon DO
5 ★★★★★ 24 Google reviews · Taekwondo school in Rockford, Illinois
Plan your first class
- Free trial or intro class most schools welcome new students with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
- Kids & teens classes kids and teens taekwondo classes (ages 3–6) — 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
- Sparring sparring classes, from Olympic-style to point sparring — controlled, gear-on training that builds timing and confidence at your own pace
- Poomsae & forms forms (poomsae) practice — the patterns at the heart of taekwondo and your belt testing
- Competition & demo team a competition and demonstration team for students who want to test themselves at tournaments and events
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule excel.academy — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 815-540-4861
Hours
| Monday | 4:30–7:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 4:30–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 4:30–8 pm |
| Thursday | 4:30–8 pm |
| Friday | 4:30–8:30 pm |
| Saturday | 8–11:30 am |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“The instructors make it fun but disiplined for the kids so glad i picked this dojo to take my grandson too!”
“I recommend Excel to everyone, from little children, to adults wishing to learn self defense.”
Other martial arts here
“He had taken karate at another place but we were not happy with how it was.”
“The kids love the variety of classes offered from beginner classes through weapons and kickboxing.”
“I recommend Excel to everyone, from little children, to adults wishing to learn self defense.”
What students say
“Because of the instructor's amazing teaching skills, I have become a multi-time grand champion and a one-time national champion at only 14.”
“The kids love the variety of classes offered from beginner classes through weapons and kickboxing.”
“I consider this place my second home, and the people are incredibly welcoming to newcomers.”
“The kids love the variety of classes offered from beginner classes through weapons and kickboxing.”
“Master G and his instructors teach students to live by the 5 tentents of Tae Kwon Do:Courtsey,Integrity, Perseverance, Self Control, and Indomitable Spirit.”
“Master G and his instructors teach students to live by the 5 tentents of Tae Kwon Do:Courtsey,Integrity, Perseverance, Self Control, and Indomitable Spirit.”
From the reviews
After my son's karate closed we had to find something for him. We decided to try Excel due to location and variety of classes offered. My son immediately was welcomed in by both staff and other students. My daughter quickly showed interest in trying a class and also enjoyed it as well.
I have been a student at Excel for five years now. Because of the instructor's amazing teaching skills, I have become a multi-time grand champion and a one-time national champion at only 14. I consider this place my second home, and the people are incredibly welcoming to newcomers.
Brought my son in for a free week trial and immediately signed him up. The boost in confidence he has shown is amazing. Great instructors with allot of patience. Definitely recommend at least trying out the free week
My son has been going for over a year now. We put him in since my daughter went to the gymnastics academy (another review..not as good). He had taken karate at another place but we were not happy with how it was. The teachers at Excel are the reason we stay. They treat the kids with respect yet enforce the rules.
New to taekwondo? Start at Excel Academy of Tae Kwon DO
Excel Academy of Tae Kwon DO comes up as a beginner-friendly school — noted on their own site. 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 Excel Academy of Tae Kwon DO
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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