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Walker's Martial Arts

5 ★★★★★ 16 Google reviews · Taekwondo school in Bloomington, Illinois

Taekwondo school Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons Competition team

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 3–18) — 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
  • Women's classes dedicated women's taekwondo classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
  • 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
  • Website & schedule walkerskicks.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 309-242-2440

The classes they run

Taekwondo classes on the schedule at Walker's Martial Arts, confirmed in students' own reviews and the school's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Taekwondo 3 mentions

“It’s a great place for both adults and kids.”

All schools that run kids taekwondo →

🛡️ Self-Defense 4 mentions

“He’s tough, yet encouraging and he does a great job of making classes fun, while teaching valuable self-defense AND life skills.”

All schools that run self-defense →

Other martial arts here

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

🛡️ Self-Defense 4 mentions

“He’s tough, yet encouraging and he does a great job of making classes fun, while teaching valuable self-defense AND life skills.”

Other schools that also teach self-defense →

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 16 Google reviews — in their own words.

expert masters & instructors 4 mentions

“Walker’s is a family friendly school with excellent instructors, all with years of experience.”

🤝 friendly, family atmosphere 12 mentions

“They care deeply about their students, and after nearly 20 years of knowing them, they’ve truly become family to me.”

📘 strong forms & technique 3 mentions

“They have a strong focus on technique, but also prioritize teaching essential and lasting life skills that have served me well, even into adulthood.”

competition & tournament success 2 mentions

“I have attended numerous workshops and tournaments over the years, and have found Walker’s students to be respectful, helpful and skilled competitors.”

certified & recognized school 4 mentions

“Master Walker is an exceptional teacher who not only masterfully teaches the techniques, but is personally invested in the success of each student!”

🧠 builds confidence & discipline 11 mentions

“I have attended numerous workshops and tournaments over the years, and have found Walker’s students to be respectful, helpful and skilled competitors.”

From the reviews

I Attended their self defense class and it was an incredible experience! Everyone was warm & welcoming. Right off the bat you can tell that the people care, and the environment is close knit. I appreciate everyone who helped me out, they really took the time to make sure I was doing everything properly.

★★★★★ — Brittany, Jul 2022

I honestly cannot say enough about Walker’s! It’s a great place for both adults and kids. They care deeply about their students, and after nearly 20 years of knowing them, they’ve truly become family to me.

★★★★★ — Paige, Dec 2025

Master Walker is an exceptional teacher who not only masterfully teaches the techniques, but is personally invested in the success of each student!

★★★★★ — Brian, Dec 2025

The BEST martial arts facility in town! Quality black belt instructors who teach skills as well as respect and discipline. My son loves it here!

★★★★★ — Ann, Sep 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 16 reviews →

New to taekwondo? Start at Walker's Martial Arts

Walker's 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.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first taekwondo class at Walker's 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.

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 Walker's Martial Arts

1304 E Empire St Ste 2, Bloomington, IL61701

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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.