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Progressive Taekwondo Academy

5 ★★★★★ 17 Google reviews · Taekwondo school in Apex, North Carolina

Taekwondo school Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens

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 — 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 ·
  • Website & schedule progressivetkdacademy.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 919-924-3736

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 9 am–12 pm
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 Progressive Taekwondo Academy, confirmed in students' own reviews and the school's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Taekwondo 17 mentions

“Our kids are younger and Master Salim strikes a good balance with working on taekwondo skills and helping the kids have fun.”

All schools that run kids taekwondo →

Other martial arts here

Taekwondo schools are often multi-discipline. Here's what else students mention training under the same roof at Progressive Taekwondo Academy — mined from their reviews and the school's own info.

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.

expert masters & instructors 4 mentions

“Master Salim is GREAT with kids of all ages and so is his leadership team of black belts.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 3 mentions

“The atmosphere is supportive, encouraging, and focused on personal growth, creating a welcoming environment for practitioners of all levels.”

🤝 friendly, family atmosphere 5 mentions

“If you’re looking for a great place for yourself or your family members to learn Taekwondo, benefit from its health benefits, improve your focus, flexibility, strength, etc.”

🧒 strong kids program 3 mentions

“His classes not only provided much-needed physical activity but also helped my kids develop discipline and resilience, easing their mental stress.”

certified & recognized school 12 mentions

“Our kids are younger and Master Salim strikes a good balance with working on taekwondo skills and helping the kids have fun.”

🧠 builds confidence & discipline 5 mentions

“If you’re looking for a great place for yourself or your family members to learn Taekwondo, benefit from its health benefits, improve your focus, flexibility, strength, etc.”

From the reviews

Master Salim is an exceptional taekwondo instructor. He has the perfect balance of patience and encouragement, creating an environment where students feel supported while being challenged to grow.

★★★★★ — Erica, Dec 2025

Progressive Taekwonro offers exceptional instructor quality and fosters a positive atmosphere for students to thrive. Master Salim is highly skilled, experienced, and dedicated to helping students reach their full potential.

★★★★★ — Brian, Mar 2024

I can't recommend Progressive Taekwondo Academy and Master Salim's instruction enough! During the Covid pandemic, my kids started taking lessons and it's been a game-changer. Salim is exceptional with children - patient, kind, and gifted at teaching.

★★★★★ — Shamrock, Mar 2024

My son attends classes at Progressive Taekwondo Academy, and Master Salim is a fantastic instructor. Not only does he do a great job with his students, but his student leadership team is also very impressive and very helpful with students.

★★★★★ — Joshua, Jun 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 17 reviews →

New to taekwondo? Start at Progressive Taekwondo Academy

Progressive Taekwondo 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.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first taekwondo class at Progressive Taekwondo 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.

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 Progressive Taekwondo Academy

702 Laura Duncan Rd, Apex, NC27502

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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.