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Pan Am Tae Kwon Do Academy
4.9 ★★★★★ 18 Google reviews · Taekwondo school in Imperial Beach, California
Style / system: Olympic / World Taekwondo — 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
- Today see hours ·
- Phone +1 619-429-5511
Hours
| Monday | 9 am–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 9 am–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 9 am–8 pm |
| Thursday | 9 am–8 pm |
| Friday | 9 am–8 pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“My kids have been going here for years great instructor”
“Grand Master Kim’s focus on the art of Martial Arts and the practical training of self defense is a welcomed approach to Martial Arts Training.”
Other martial arts here
“Grand Master Kim’s focus on the art of Martial Arts and the practical training of self defense is a welcomed approach to Martial Arts Training.”
What students say
“I cannot thank Grandmaster Kim enough for his excellent instruction and for making his Dojang not only a place to learn martial arts, but, also a home.”
“The family atmosphere is friendly and everyone genuinely looks forward to Grand Master Kim's lesson whether you're a student or observer.”
“Grand Master Kim is a kind, patient, and firm instructor with the smaller students and our son looked up to and respected him immensely.”
“Grand Master Kim’s focus on the art of Martial Arts and the practical training of self defense is a welcomed approach to Martial Arts Training.”
“Grand Master Kim’s focus on the art of Martial Arts and the practical training of self defense is a welcomed approach to Martial Arts Training.”
From the reviews
If you are looking for a place to get healthy, relieve all your stress, push your body as hard as you want, and also learn self-defense/martial arts, you have come to the right place!
We enrolled our son and wish we had done it sooner! Walking in you immediately see the history and heritage of TaeKwon-Do as lived by Grand Master Kim and his students. Grand Master Kim is a kind, patient, and firm instructor with the smaller students and our son looked up to and respected him immensely.
Great school and welcoming environment. Grand Master Kim’s focus on the art of Martial Arts and the practical training of self defense is a welcomed approach to Martial Arts Training. Each class level is taught in an age appropriate manner that foster skill growth and communication. I highly recommend.
If you want to learn taekwondo this is a great place. They are really on top of their game. We meet up three times a week for one hour sessions and if you want you can do two classes a day. I always learn something new and it’s a great work out. The people here are awesome.
New to taekwondo? Start at Pan Am Tae Kwon Do Academy
Pan Am Tae Kwon Do Academy 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 Pan Am Tae Kwon Do Academy
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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