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First State Martial Arts

5 ★★★★★ 17 Google reviews · Taekwondo school in Dover, Delaware

Taekwondo school Beginners welcome Kids & teens Competition team

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
  • Competition & demo team a competition and demonstration team for students who want to test themselves at tournaments and events
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule facebook.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 302-450-2600

Hours

Monday 5:30–9 pm
Tuesday 6–10 pm
Wednesday 5:30–9 pm
Thursday 5–8 pm
Friday 5–8 pm
Saturday Closed
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 First State Martial Arts, confirmed in students' own reviews and the school's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Taekwondo 3 mentions

“First State Martial Arts teaches Brazilian Gracie styled jiu jitsu every Monday/Wednesday/Friday 1800 for kids and 1900 for adult self defense and competition.”

All schools that run kids taekwondo →

🛡️ Self-Defense

“First State Martial Arts teaches Brazilian Gracie styled jiu jitsu every Monday/Wednesday/Friday 1800 for kids and 1900 for adult self defense and competition.”

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 First State Martial Arts — mined from their reviews and the school's own info.

🤼 Jiu-Jitsu 7 mentions

“First State Martial Arts teaches Brazilian Gracie styled jiu jitsu every Monday/Wednesday/Friday 1800 for kids and 1900 for adult self defense and competition.”

Other schools that also teach jiu-jitsu →

🏟️ MMA

“Great MMA and BJJ studio!”

Other schools that also teach mma →

🛡️ Self-Defense

“First State Martial Arts teaches Brazilian Gracie styled jiu jitsu every Monday/Wednesday/Friday 1800 for kids and 1900 for adult self defense and competition.”

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 17 Google reviews — in their own words.

🌱 welcoming to beginners 3 mentions

“From the perspective of an absolute beginner with no prior experience in any physically competitive sport, I am grateful a friend of mine referred me to FSMA!”

🤝 friendly, family atmosphere 11 mentions

“The coaches are excellent teachers, trainers, mentors, and community members that genuinely care about the art they teach and the edification of others.”

competition & tournament success 6 mentions

“First State Martial Arts teaches Brazilian Gracie styled jiu jitsu every Monday/Wednesday/Friday 1800 for kids and 1900 for adult self defense and competition.”

🧼 clean, well-kept dojang 3 mentions

“The staff was friendly and professional at all times and provided a clean environment.”

From the reviews

This gym has such a great atmosphere. Everyone is extremely approachable and enthusiastic about their craft. Never met such a wonderful group of people. Their classes are great for a wide range of experience levels from brand new to advanced practitioners. The coaches are extremely talented and humble.

★★★★★ — Cody, Oct 2022

Great MMA and BJJ studio! Especially for the little ones, I've had my boys going here for a couple months and they are learning new technique everyday. Highly recommend coming here and giving it a shot. From experienced to beginner it's a great opportunity. Also this is a gracie jujitsu gym

★★★★★ — Nick, Dec 2018

This place is like family. No egos, no attitudes. My children started there when we moved to DE a couple years ago and now we all go. They offer fitness classes and martial arts training. Everyone is positive and upbeat always ready to lend a hand with any problems you are having.

★★★★★ — C, Nov 2019

From the perspective of an absolute beginner with no prior experience in any physically competitive sport, I am grateful a friend of mine referred me to FSMA! The people are kind and supportive, our coaches are personable, and the atmosphere is conductive for learning every aspect of BJJ!

★★★★★ — Nic, Oct 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 17 reviews →

New to taekwondo? Start at First State Martial Arts

First State 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 First State 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 First State Martial Arts

523 S Red Haven Ln #102, Dover, DE19901

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.