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Jae H. Kim Taekwon-do Institute
4.8 ★★★★★ 45 Google reviews · Taekwondo school in Cambridge, Massachusetts
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 — 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
- Private lessons private, one-on-one instruction available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
- Sparring sparring classes, from Olympic-style to point sparring — controlled, gear-on training that builds timing and confidence at your own pace
- Competition & demo team a competition and demonstration team for students who want to test themselves at tournaments and events
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule tkd-cambridge.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (617) 492-5070
Hours
| Monday | 12–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 12–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 12–8 PM |
| Thursday | 12–8 PM |
| Friday | 12–8 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM–3 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“The kids have amazing instructors who teach not only proper technique and exact form, but also structure and discipline.”
“I practiced nearly 2 decades ago at another school where I earned my 1st dan as an adolescent and picked it up again this year as an adult.”
“The teachers have helped my child achieve his goals of improving his self-defense skills, fitness, and self-confidence.”
Other martial arts here
“The teachers have helped my child achieve his goals of improving his self-defense skills, fitness, and self-confidence.”
What students say
“The kids have amazing instructors who teach not only proper technique and exact form, but also structure and discipline.”
“They are incredible at breaking down challenging moves into achievable steps, enabling even beginner 50-year-olds to perform jumping and spinning kicks.”
“I returned years later to find it’s still a terrific workout for my middle-aged not-so-athletic body, and this school is so supportive of me and my various health quirks.”
“The skills and techniques I've learned here aren't just for show; they are practical and effective in real-life situations, should the need ever arise on the street.”
“I practiced nearly 2 decades ago at another school where I earned my 1st dan as an adolescent and picked it up again this year as an adult.”
“The belt system allows one to focus on fundamental skills at first, adding increasingly challenging and rewarding techniques and forms as you progress.”
From the reviews
I highly recommend this place! Out of the many good things about this place, two things that stuck out in my pursuit of getting my black belt were the instructors and their quality of teaching.
I started attending this school almost ten years ago because of my brother, and I began re-attending last year because of my friends. Now, I can honestly say that Jae H. Kim Taekwon-do Institute is one of MY favorite places to be.
If you're looking for a place to experience the best of martial arts training, Jae H. Kim is the right place for you. This is where people of all ages can receive rigorous training that will boost their character, their physical capability, and many other important values, especially for young people.
This Taekwondo school is easily the best in the area. Kind students, coupled with amazing instructors, creates a great environment for building physical and mental strength. The instructors know exactly what they are talking about, and they take the time to give personalized feedback each and every class.
New to taekwondo? Start at Jae H. Kim Taekwon-do Institute
Jae H. Kim Taekwon-do Institute 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 Jae H. Kim Taekwon-do Institute
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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