Located in the Upper West Side of Manhattan, West Side Taekwondo is one of the best taekwondo schools in the world. And it's not just because of its powerhouse competition program. It's because it's one of the few places where "taekwondo" still means "taekwondo". It's a place where people of all ages, size, and athletic ability can come to challenge themselves and achieve goals that they never thought they could achieve. Very few taekwondo schools can maintain an excellent traditional taekwondo program alongside an elite competition program; in fact, it's nearly impossible. However, West Side is able to seamlessly do both very well. Growing up, I was heavily competitive in taekwondo, and West Side taekwondo was one of those famous, well-known schools from New York City. It was the "place-to-be" and they had many great athletes and coaches. Later in life, I was lucky enough to have a chance to train at West Side on many occasions. They've always accepted me with open arms even though I was not a "regular" (because I lived 4 hours away), and I met many great people in a short period of time. It was during this time that I had a chance to experience the wonderful community that exists at West Side. The energy and the atmosphere inside and outside of class is unmatched. It doesn't matter if you're a 10-year-old kid, a 40-year-old beginner, or an Olympic athlete; you're always treated with respect and dignity, and you will be motivated to become the best person that you can be at West Side taekwondo. read more

Location just changed and the facility is amazing! We've been going to taekwondo at West Side Taekwondo for 4 years, and have always found the instruction and community to be excellent. We are excited about the new space and potential for comprtition read more

West Side Taekwondo - Taekwondo facility - Taekwondo Near Me - New York, New York

I was on the Taekwondo team in college and after I graduated, I missed the feeling I got from being a part of a close-knit Taekwondo group. After years of training at other places (even in Korea), I finally got that feeling back when I started training at West Side. The instructors are great. And some of them are world class athletes. Want to perfect your poomsae (forms)? Get pointers from one of the current National Poomsae Team members, who train and teach at West Side. Want some sparring tips? There are nationally ranked fighters, Olympic-level coaches, and current national team members (from Team Trinidad and Tobago), who teach classes and can give you pointers. Do you have a kid who wants to do martial arts? The instructors, who teach the children's classes, are great with kids. I have nothing but love for West Side. The class schedule is flexible. The community is great. And whether your ultimate goal is competing or not, West Side is definitely worth checking out. read more

I am a 4th degree blackbelt with over 23 years of experience. I have been training at Westside TKD now for over 7 years and can honestly say it is a world-class program with world-class instructors and people. First, the master instructors (Whang Junior/Senior and Lim) are not only terrific teachers but also great people. They teach most classes personally, are extremely generous with their time, and genuinely care about their students. They have coached Olympic team athletes to victory as well as helped disadvantaged youth achieve their next belt level. They are very very accessible and very humble. It has been my great pleasure to learn from them and to be associated with them. I think any student, whether an experienced martial artist or beginner can benefit greatly from working with Masters Whang and Lim. Second, the workouts and classes are excellent. There are a variety of workouts to cater to people's interests including competition Olympic style, traditional, poomsae, childrens etc. The energy levels are high and I always end up challenging myself to improve. The competition classes are among the best in the nation in my opinion. Westside has several world class athletes that train along side regular college students and working professionals. The workouts are intense and I always get a terrific workout. Finally, Westside is not just a TKD school but a vibrant martial arts community. I have developed close friendships with many fellow students and instructors and regularly see them outside of class. The level of respect and professionalism inside and outside the classroom is really special. I highly recommend Westside and hope you will come and discover why it is the best TKD school in Manhattan. read more

I've trained at West Side occasionally. While I lived and spent most of my time training in Boston, I've stopped in for Saturday competition workouts at West Side a few times. The Masters there are very polite and were welcoming to me as an outside student. The workouts were high energy and were challenging both aerobically and technically. One time I visited as part of a big cross-club training event where they gathered some high level players from all over New York (as well as my club in Boston), which was great. There was some awesome talent there, but they also did a great job of not overwhelming the younger players as well. After everyone went out to eat and socialize. I've had nothing but positive interactions with the coaches, instructors, and students at West Side. They do a good job of training some high level athletes as well as maintaining a good club program for people of all levels. I've seen them train good color belts and beginners as well as fostering athletes who have a great amount of experience. It's been my experience that the people there genuinely care about each other and about Taekwondo. I'm not a member of this club, and don't have a vested interest in its success. I've just found the people there to be welcoming to me when I visit, and the level of instruction I've witnessed there has been on par with some of the best dojangs in the country. read more

You want to know what a family is...come to West Side. My name is Dorian I am from Trinidad & Tobago and compete for T&T on an international level. I came to NYC for the first time back in 2004 as a poor lonely student living in a basement in the depths of Canarsie. I took the trains for hours just to find west side and I still remember the first day I walked in and met the masters. Never before I have i felt so welcomed in a foreign country. Even the students there at the time (Christina, James, Adolfo) - players of the highest quality in skill and character - had adopted the genuine admirable characteristics that Westside exemplifies. Westside doesn't only produce top quality athletes, we produce well rounded individuals. I returned to NYC in 2008 only to find myself even poorer but still strongly drawn to taekwondo; if not for the family environment I would never of been able to afford to train at Westside, they have adopted me as their own son in the dojang. And everyday I see the generosity of the masters in the multitude of students who flock to our dojang. Countries as varied as Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, Canada, Bulgaria and I have left out more than a few have all sent Olympic quality athletes to our dojang to train. The Masters have even produced their own Olympian in my fellow country man. And have put time and energy into each and every athlete at the school, there is not a student's name they don't know, or that student's brother/sister/parents. There are not enough words to qualify Westside and the masters at the dojang. All I can say is come experience it for yourself! Thank you Westside, Thank you Masters! read more

Incredible place with exceptional people. Promotes a great sense of mental wellness and physical fitness. Excellent for kids and adults alike read more

I first started Taekwondo 4 years ago in college, and since I started going to Westside Taekwondo 2 years ago, I have never left the dojang without smiling from ear-to-ear. Every workout is novel, fun, and incredibly challenging, with a large variety of high-energy classes including sparring, poomsae, or conditioning, so there are classes for everyone depending on their interests and motivations. Westside is an incredible family where everyone supports each other and his/her individual goals. They were nothing but welcoming since I joined, and I found a tight-knit community that has helped me far beyond Taekwondo. Every master has tremendous experience and their insights have helped me rapidly improve my technique, fitness, and mental sharpness. They always take the time to answer anyone's question and are always willing to spend time beyond class to teach students. I am honored to learn from and train with elite masters and athletes who dedicate so much time and effort to the sport and truly appreciate discipline, hard work, and camaraderie. Whether you are looking for a new sport, some fitness, or continuing your training. I am sure you will find all you want and much more at Westside, so I highly recommend trying out a class. read more

I spent 3 years training at West Side while I lived in Manhattan. My master gave me a referral when I moved too far to train with him, and boy am I glad he did. This school is healthy. You can see that from the large, enthusiastic classes that span all age groups. Everyone is put on a life long path. All of this is bolstered by world-class instruction. Now a lot of people use that term, but I mean it in the literal sense. Teaching the classes are Olympic coaches and National Team members. All of them are approachable and happy to help everyone improve, no matter what their proficiency or aptitude. I will always look on my time at West Side as some of my best TKD memories. If your interest is in TKD, look no further. Seriously. read more

Awesome place! I have been going here for almost give years now and everybody there is very nice and supportive but they also push you to do your best. The instructors are amazing as all of them have experience with taekwondo from every different point of view including world class sparring and pomsae competitors. The community there is great and every body makes you feel right at home. read more

Hands down this is an exceptional Taekwondo school where the dedication of the masters provide all students with precise instruction in TKD skills. They also emphasize key life long skills that include focus, discipline and respect for all. Both my children enrolled in black belt program when started at 4-5yo where they took good care to groom young children for the "big" mat. They are now red belts and training for the next big step. I am grateful we found such a terrific school! read more

I have no idea why Westside TKD could get a bad review. My son, now 15, has been taking classes at the school for years. It is a fantastic community and has helped him grow into a confident young man. The teachers are great, the students too. We paid one fee to go through black belt. There are charges for tests and uniforms, and we have paid for great private lessons, but it has been the best value for after-school programming that I could ever wish for. Students can go seven days a week if they're so inclined. What is even more impressive is that it attracts such accomplished people in their professional lives, outside of their abilities as martial artists, that they are great role models for children. I can only assume that the person who wrote the nasty review is either: a: starting their own dojang. b: got fired. c: failed a belt test one too many time. d: has some other issue unrelated to what goes on at the dojang that would cause them to post such an absurd review. We have been going to Westside TKF for almost a decade. I recommended it to countless parents. An amazing school!!! read more

I enrolled my son at WSTKD about five years ago when he was 8. I wanted him to have the benefits of martial arts training -- better fitness, coordination, confidence and stamina. Watching him work out made me realize what was missing from my own workouts, and within a couple of months I had followed my son to the dojang. We both continue to train several times a week. I have found the instructors to be patient and helpful, both with me and with my son. I worried about feeling welcome as a middle aged mom, but it was not an issue at all. In fact, I have noticed that there are more and more women like me, who have followed in our children's paths. The weekday classes are particularly mom-friendly. It is true that the instructors do not coddle the students. Rather, this is a place where you will reap what you sow. It you put your time and energy into this place you will see benefits. If you commit to the training and try hard, the instructors will commit to you, regardless of whether you are a great athlete. FYI, as a way to encourage students to come often, the fee is the same whether you come once a week or every single day. read more

Awful. The masters / owners only want your money, and are completely fake about caring about your training. The masters are rarely there, resent people who leave, and spread bad rumours about those people who have left. Spend your money elsewhere. Seriously. ---------------- update 11/15/2011: One of the greedy masters yelp-messaged me that he didn't like my review. He obviously then sent an email to his school's "preferred" email list asking for positive reviews. Then he did a creepy thing by becoming my first "fan". Uh, cyberstalk much? Read the (borderline cultish) solicited-glowing reviews dated 11/15/2011 or later, but SPEND YOUR MONEY ELSEWHERE. read more

I am a relative newbee at Taekwondo, with under a year of experience. No one from the donjo has yelped me or asked me to comment in any way. I'm writing this because my experience at Westside is so positive.. All the teachers, Masters and instructors, care deeply about their students and the techniques we are learning.They always have time for a question and although the school is home to world class athletes, a white belt who genuinely gives 100% effort is welcomed and helped by all. I also have been impressed by by all of the upper belts, not just black belts.. They are always ready to give a hand to a less experienced student. I have no axe to grind nor do I have any reason to express anything but my genuine opinion. I was horrified at the one bad review as it's 180 degrees from my experience. I look forward to many more years with West Side Taekwondo. read more

Some pretty high-skilled people train here. I've been going here for the past couple years and attend regularly.

I would recommend Westside Taekwondo to other parents. My child has learned skills and techniques that have helped my child to become more assertive, confidante, balanced and stable. I've learned a lot myself just from sitting there watching the lessons! Thank you to all the Master's and the entire staff!!!! Great place!!! Worth every penny! read more

I started training at West Side TKD in 2006, after earning my black belt at a school in another area. It's a great school for anyone who loves tae kwon do. There are classes 7 days a week to fit your schedule. Each class has a focus, such as sparring, poomsae, or conditioning. As an adult black belt, you can really focus on the things you're interested in. The masters are exceptionally dedicated to the sport, and have always had insightful, helpful feedback during training. In addition to the masters, I really like that we have a big group of black belts to learn from, as they compete at the highest international levels in both poomsae and sparring. Frequently, West Side will also host students and/or masters from other schools for workouts in which we can get a little different perspective and broaden our horizons. The school has a high level of grassroots-style enthusiasm - people stay after class for more training, watch video from competitions, or organize trips to tournaments. If you want to get back into TKD, or are curious about starting it, it's a great place to check out. read more

I've been at Westside taekwondo since 2007 after starting at another school. They have been very welcoming to those that come from other places and certainly don't resent people who leave. I took some time off to go back to school in 2010 and they actually guided me through my taekwondo training after I left. This is one of the main reasons I decided to return Westside after finishing school and don't consider any other school when I think about my taekwondo train and such a positive and family friendly environment. read more

Unbelievable patience! My 4 and 6 year old love coming here and Mr. Duller is our favorite! The entire club is amazing - they are flexible and truly make it feel like being part of a family. For any parent looking to get their kids involved, this is the place to be!! read more

This is like a home away from home! It's family and community oriented. The people here are diverse and friendly with a very supportive and nurturing community of students and instructors. I first came to west Side in 2007 as a Taekwondo athlete and it has been one of the best decision of my life. It has helped me grow into the man that I am today. read more