What is Taekwondo? +
Taekwondo is the Korean art of self-defence and means "The Art of Hand and Foot Fighting". It involves skilled application of punches, kicks, blocks, dodges and restraints. Most of all, Taekwondo is about self-imposed discipline, fitness and inner peace. Its origins go back 3,000 years, providing practitioners with a link to a tradition and philosophy that is truly historic. The art itself has evolved with time to reflect the needs and aspirations of the modern martial artist.
How is Taekwondo different to Karate and other martial arts? +
Taekwondo is a Korean martial art and is characterised by its emphasis on head-height kicks, jumping and spinning kicks, and fast kicking techniques. It is one of the most widely practised martial arts in the world and is an Olympic sport. Karate is a Japanese martial art with more emphasis on punching and striking. While both are excellent disciplines, Taekwondo's dynamic kicking techniques and structured belt system make it particularly popular with children and families.
I've had my first free session — what happens now? How do I sign up? +
Simply head to our
Membership page and choose the package that suits you. You can complete your registration entirely online through our ClubManager system. If you have any questions, call or text Gavin on 07833 665905 and he'll be happy to help.
How can I upgrade from Basic Tuition to Accelerated Tuition? +
You can upgrade your membership at any time by logging into your ClubManager account and updating your membership package, or by contacting Gavin directly on 07833 665905 or gavin@traintaekwondo.co.uk.
The class I want is showing as waitlist only — how do I get a space? +
Join the waiting list through the timetable booking system and you'll be notified automatically as soon as a space becomes available. You can also contact Gavin directly to discuss alternative class times or locations that may have availability.
What's the TAGB Licence and why do I need it? +
The TAGB (Tae Kwon Do Association of Great Britain) licence is your official membership of Europe's largest single martial arts organisation. It provides you with insurance cover for training, allows you to grade for recognised belt certificates, and enables you to compete in TAGB tournaments. It is renewed annually and is a requirement for all students after their initial free taster session.
What should I wear to train? +
For your first free taster session, just wear comfortable sports clothing — a t-shirt and joggers or leggings are perfect. Once you join as a member, you'll need to purchase an approved training suit (dobok) from our
online store. Only approved training suits purchased through the store can be worn in class for insurance purposes.
How old must my children be before they can start Taekwondo? +
We welcome children from age 3 through our Ninja Skillz programme, which is specifically designed for children aged 3–7. For our Family Taekwondo classes on the TAGB syllabus, children can start from age 5. There is no upper age limit — we have students of all ages and abilities.
Can I keep my belt from a previous Taekwondo club? +
This depends on which organisation your previous club was affiliated to. If you trained with another TAGB-affiliated club, your belt grade is fully transferable. If you trained with a different organisation, Gavin will assess your level in your first session and advise on the most appropriate starting point. Please contact us before your first class to discuss your previous experience.
What do I need to bring to my first class? +
For your first free taster session, just bring yourself in comfortable sports clothing and a bottle of water. No equipment or kit is needed. If you have long hair, please tie it back. Remove any jewellery before training for safety.
Do I need to bow? +
Yes — bowing is an important part of Taekwondo etiquette and is a sign of respect. Students bow when entering and leaving the training area, when meeting their instructor, and at the start and end of each class. It is not a religious gesture — it is simply a mark of mutual respect between students and instructors.
How old should I be to train? +
There is no age limit for Taekwondo. We welcome students from age 3 (Ninja Skillz) through to adults of any age. Many of our students are parents who train alongside their children. Taekwondo is adapted to suit each individual's ability and fitness level.
How many people are in a class? +
Our Ninja Skillz classes are limited to 12 students per class to ensure every child gets individual attention. Family Taekwondo classes are slightly larger but always kept to a size where Gavin can give meaningful feedback to every student. We deliberately keep class sizes small — quality of instruction is our priority.
Can I train with my children? +
Absolutely — and we actively encourage it! Our Family Taekwondo classes are specifically designed for parents and children to train together on the same TAGB syllabus. Training as a family is one of the most rewarding things you can do together. The 3rd family member also trains FREE on all membership packages.
Do I have to train twice a week? +
No — our Basic Tuition membership is based on one class per week, which is perfectly sufficient to make good progress. If you want to progress faster, our Accelerated Tuition package allows up to three classes per week plus unlimited virtual classes. The choice is entirely yours.
How fit do I need to be to start training? +
You don't need to be fit at all to start — that's what training is for! Taekwondo is suitable for all fitness levels. Classes are structured so that beginners work at their own pace, and you'll find your fitness improving naturally as you train regularly. Many students start with very little fitness background and go on to achieve Black Belt.
Do I have to grade for belts? +
Grading is optional — there is never any pressure to grade. However, most students find that working towards their next belt provides great motivation and a real sense of achievement. Gradings are held regularly throughout the year and are a positive, encouraging experience for students of all ages.
Do I have to stay and watch while my child trains? +
You are welcome to stay and watch — many parents enjoy seeing their child's progress. However, you are not required to stay for the duration of the class. We ask that parents of very young children (particularly in Ninja Skillz classes) remain on site in case their child needs them.
Do I have to be flexible to start? +
Not at all — flexibility is something that develops through training, not a prerequisite for it. Regular Taekwondo training will significantly improve your flexibility over time. Our warm-up and stretching routines are designed to help you improve your range of motion safely and progressively.
How long do I need to sign up for? +
You are free to cancel your membership at any time by giving one month's notice via email. There are no long-term contracts or tie-ins. We want you to stay because you love it — not because you're locked in.
Where do I get changed? +
All of our venues have a changing room available for students to use before and after class.
Is there parking? +
Yes — all of our venues have a car park available for students and parents.
When will I achieve my Black Belt? +
There are ten coloured belts to achieve before grading for Black Belt, so students learn a wide variety of skills and knowledge step by step. The minimum training time required to reach Black Belt at Train Taekwondo Schools is 5 years. However, the journey is as rewarding as the destination — every belt earned along the way is a genuine achievement to be proud of.
Where do I buy my training suit and sparring equipment? +
Everything you need for training can be found in our
online store at traintaekwondo.com. It's important to note that only approved training suits and sparring equipment purchased through the store can be worn in class for insurance purposes.
Do I have to enter tournaments? +
Taking part in tournaments is entirely optional. The TAGB holds tournaments regularly throughout the year, and many students find great success and enjoyment through competition. However, there is never any pressure to compete — the final decision is always yours.
Will I be able to defend myself? +
Yes — the skills you learn will enable you to react to different attack situations using blocks, restraints, punches or kicks that you have been taught in class. However, we always emphasise that these skills should only ever be used for self-defence or the defence of others. Restraint and self-control are fundamental principles of Taekwondo.
What if I don't like violence? +
We don't like it either. We encourage and actively promote restraint and self-control. It is a fundamental principle of Taekwondo that it must only be used for self-defence or the defence of others. Aggression is not tolerated in our classes. The vast majority of our training is about personal development, fitness and skill — not fighting.
Can I train if I am disabled? +
Taekwondo is open to students of all abilities. The TAGB has Black Belt students and instructors with disabilities, including amputees and those with hearing and sight impairments. Disability does not have to be a barrier to training. Please contact Gavin before your first class to discuss any specific requirements and we will do our best to accommodate you.
How much will it cost? +
Your first session is completely FREE with no obligation. After that, we offer two membership packages:
Basic Tuition at £30/month (1 class per week) and
Accelerated Tuition at £40/month (up to 3 classes per week plus unlimited virtual classes). The 3rd family member trains FREE on all packages. See our
Membership page for full details.