Lion’s Tae Kwon-DO

I have been training at Lion’s Tae Kwon Do Academy for over two years. I joined as a green belt and have worked my way to Deputy Black Belt, soon to be testing or my First Degree Black Belt. I can say with confidence that’s Lion’s is a great place to train. Training is focused on body and mind. Both physical and mental attributes of Tae Kwon Do are taught. Testing is held every two months. Each student knows exactly what to expect for testing. There are several Black Belts of varying degrees at each class. Each one is as enthusiastic about helping lower belts succeed.
In addition to training, there is a strong family bond at Lion’s Tae Kwon Do. Through my time here I gave made many new friendships that I know will last a lifetime.

I’ve been taking classes at Lion’s for 8 plus years and can’t agree with the negative reviews. There are few martial arts school with a Grand Master teaching. That he has about a dozen high ranking black belts (3^rd degree through 6^th) that have been with him for 10 to 20 plus years is a testament to his teaching and the loyalty of his students. If you don’t want to do a contract, you don’t have to agree to one. His rates are also lower that most schools.

I agree with the previous review. Master Kim is more concerned about the money rather than teaching Tae Kwon Do. He tricked me that he wants to do auto-​pay from my credit card but later he is calling it as a contract. Contract for Tae Kwon do lessons — come on give me a break. Lots of indian kids are going from Stone bridge apartments are going to him and they are on non immigrant visa — so Master Kim is used to tricking folks… thinking that nobody knows anything. I told him during mid of end of Oct 2014 that my kid won’t be able to come as we are going out on extended vacation and he told that he won’t charged my credit card. But he did charged the credit card now it’s in a dispute. Moreover master Kim is now talking about contract etc…
Please be aware of the fact these money making tactics:
1) He will ask to pay by cash or check so that he doesn’t have to pay the credit card transaction fees.
2) Don’t sign any form — unless you take it at home and read it thoroughly… he is very good in tricking you to get into the contract with reasons like you are getting a discount. Everybody is paying him monthly $ 100 for two classes in the week in fact i doubt some of the folks could have negotiated lesser amount.
3) Every 5 – 6 weeks there is a testing and testing is charged $ 50. You will be amazed that everybody pass and kids has learnt stuff only on paper… how come everybody is progressing to next belt level so fast that is beyond my understanding. It’s just one of the ways to make money by charging testing fees. I have taken my kid to Japan Karate in Somerset NJ and he has undergone classes by master Austin… they never used to charge more than $ 25 for testing fees and moreover testing used to happen at the intervals of around 3 or 4 months.
4) Kit fees — master Kim will never tell you where you can buy the kit for Tae Kwon do and he himself would like to order it for you. Kit costs close to $ 120 and you have no order receipt, warranty cards or even kit bag. Another money making tactics…
Please stay away from these kind of folks. Arlington Heights and other districts nearby has much better Karate and other programs at the district level.

Buyer beware — Master Kim is more concerned with money than teaching kids the art of Tae Kwon-​Do. So much for caring about the whole person this art aspires to teach.
Kim requires a contract and no matter what your circumstance — he will not let you out of it. Our son was having trouble in school and needed tutoring several nights per week and we needed him to focus on school. Life circumstances change — especially with kids. After more than a year of paying on a 2 year agreement Master Kim would not relent. Master Kim uses a hard nosed collection agency/​contract management company to hide behind.
We had all good intentions and our son was generally well taught, but we should have known better than to sign such a long term contract for an 11 year old.