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Kelly O’Keefe Martial Arts
5 ★★★★★ 23 Google reviews · Taekwondo school in Washington, Illinois
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 ·
- Phone +1 309-657-5643
Hours
| Monday | 5–7 pm |
| Tuesday | 5–7 pm |
| Wednesday | 5–7 pm |
| Thursday | 5–7 pm |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“My son and my husband have been attending classes here for nearly nine years- and they both love it.”
“This is a fantastic environment where kids can build confidence and learn self-defense, and everyone is made to feel welcome.”
Other martial arts here
“I have enjoyed watching my grandson take karate at this school they are very good with young kids.”
“This is a fantastic environment where kids can build confidence and learn self-defense, and everyone is made to feel welcome.”
What students say
“He’s a great instructor, great with the kids, and has been doing this for a long time.”
“My husband and I have enjoyed whiching our kids learn to respect themselves and other.”
“I walked away with better confidence in my firearm handling skills than I had before and I have been handling firearms for 40 years.”
From the reviews
I have a rare review. I started with Master O'Keefe when I was 10. I had the honor of earning my black belt from him at 16. I'm now 39. I'm truly thankful of what I learned early on from Mr. O'Keefe. It served me well persisting thru the Army, couple engineering degrees, becoming the CEO of my own real estate company..
I attended conceal carry classes here and was very impressed with the thoroughness of the hands on training. I walked away with better confidence in my firearm handling skills than I had before and I have been handling firearms for 40 years. Would recommend this to even the more highly seasoned veterans.
Great instructors. If you are a woman this is the place where you should be. You will be taught with professional instruction and curtailed to your experience.
Kelly taught a few of my kids for a short time. He’s a great instructor, great with the kids, and has been doing this for a long time. I truly wish I lived closer to his business as I’m looking to get my 5 year old into martial arts. I also took my concealed carry with Mr. O’ Keefe and it was extremely helpful.
New to taekwondo? Start at Kelly O’Keefe Martial Arts
Kelly O’Keefe 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.
Your first taekwondo class at Kelly O’Keefe 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.
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🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site