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W Kim Tae Kwon Do (Main school) - Martial Arts
4.9 ★★★★★ 83 Google reviews · Taekwondo school in Palatine, 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 (ages 3–5) — 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
- Competition & demo team a competition and demonstration team for students who want to test themselves at tournaments and events
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule martialartspalatine.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 847-714-4853
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 | 8 am–2 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“I would like my children to follow in their footsteps of working hard and being kind and encouraging to others.”
“My youngest also just started in the Tiny Tigers class.”
“One of the biggest draws for me has been the high school students who have not only achieved a high level of TKD skill but a high level of leadership ability.”
“Good self defense skills and good quality Taekwondo.”
“We joined the Black Belt Club knowing that we where going to attain this goal.”
Other martial arts here
“Good self defense skills and good quality Taekwondo.”
What students say
“The staff and everyone at the school are so friendly and welcoming that we look forward to coming to class each time.”
“But more importantly, it is a family atmosphere with great camaraderie among the students and instructors (especially some of us older ones!”
“Tae Kwon do is not just techniques it’s the way you carry yourself in presence of others and when you are alone.”
“Our whole family does TKD here and the instructors, masters, and grand master are wonderful.”
“Growing leaders, positive reinforcement, physically challenging, building discipline - these are some of the ways I would describe W Kim.”
From the reviews
W Kim TKD has been a great experience for our family of six. We have attended this school since September of 2010. As a leadership school, the Masters and instructors help the students apply the positive aspects of martial arts to their lives (discipline, never giving up, courtesy to other people and application of…
My son, daughter and I have been part of W Kim TKD for the past 5 years. It has been an amazing experience. Growing leaders, positive reinforcement, physically challenging, building discipline - these are some of the ways I would describe W Kim.
My son has been attending W. Kim since he was 3 years old. They are the absolute best group of instructors who truly care about their students. He is 2 belts away from a black belt now and is so excited about all he has accomplished!
My daughter started with W. Kim at the Palatine YMCA when she was very young because it was one of many awesome classes available for children at the time. Master James was the instructor and it was wonderful to watch him teach the little ones about respect, honor, discipline, situational awareness and the physical…
New to taekwondo? Start at W Kim Tae Kwon Do (Main school) - Martial Arts
W Kim Tae Kwon Do (Main school) - Martial Arts 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 W Kim Tae Kwon Do (Main school) - 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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