Home › Illinois › Niles › Shim's Martial Arts Training Center
Shim's Martial Arts Training Center
4.6 ★★★★★ 42 Google reviews · Taekwondo school in Niles, Illinois
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
- 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
- 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 shimstkd.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 847-877-7614
Hours
| Monday | 12–8:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 12–8:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 12–8:30 pm |
| Thursday | 12–8:30 pm |
| Friday | 12–8:30 pm |
| Saturday | 11 am–2:30 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“It is a wonderful environment for kids to come and learn the martial arts, its philosophy, respect, etiquette, and also have fun like shooting nerf guns.”
“Most believe that martial arts is about breaking boards, bricks, and fighting people, but the right schools, one's like Shims Martial Arts, lead you to so much more.”
“I have learned many skills from Shim's such as self-defense, discipline, physical fitness, leadership, confidence, self control, and never give up attitude.”
Other martial arts here
“I have learned many skills from Shim's such as self-defense, discipline, physical fitness, leadership, confidence, self control, and never give up attitude.”
What students say
“Grandmaster Shim, Master Philip and Master Cy are very knowledgeable, patient, and great mentors.”
“Seriously, my niece went from being out of control and now thanks to her masters, myself and the rest of our family can enjoy having my niece around LOL.”
“Not only have I personally gotten a great workout with every class, but I've also learned to have more self-discipline, endurance, and focus.”
“Loved competing in tournament and Grand Master Shim was so strict, but so awesome.”
“Grandmaster Shim, Master Phil, Master Cy, and the rest of the black belt leadership team are truly invested in the success of their students.”
“Their new facility is clean, very up to date and safe.”
From the reviews
I was a student at Shim's Martial Arts Training Center back in the early 80's through the early 90's. Many fond memories. As a kid I remember playing soccer with tennis balls, obstacle courses, going to the park and training in the snow, flying side kicks over objects, watching unbelievable demonstrations from the…
Started at Master Shim's place early 90's till early 2000's. From white belt to 3rd degree black belt, the school always pushed you to reach your physical and mental potential.
Shim's Martial Arts Training Center is great! Grandmaster Shim, Master Philip and Master Cy are very knowledgeable, patient, and great mentors. We have been going to Shim's Martial Arts for a few years now. One of my kids has earner a black belt. The other is well on the way. My kids have learned a great deal.
Martial Arts in America once started as an opportunity for immigrant americans to provide an income for their families, while establishing a unique service helping their local communities and individuals find the best in themselves and test their own mental and physical limits through eastern methods.
New to taekwondo? Start at Shim's Martial Arts Training Center
Shim's Martial Arts Training Center 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 Shim's Martial Arts Training Center
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.
More taekwondo schools near Niles
Chang's Taekwondo
5 ★★★★★ 264 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
Max Martial Arts
5 ★★★★★ 92 reviews
Character Martial Arts
5 ★★★★★ 31 reviews