It's been an incredible journey watching my daughters train and grow over the past five years at…read moreChicago Karate Champions. Through multiple tournaments, they've earned gold, silver, and bronze medals, but more importantly, they've gained discipline, resilience, and a true love for the sport. They truly appreciate the amazing training, the fun activities after each game, and the lifelong lessons they've learned along the way. Their hard work is even showing in their PE activities at school! A big thank you to the coaches and the entire team for creating such a supportive and inspiring environment! Looking forward to many more years of learning and success.

Sensei has been so amazing with helping me stay healthy and stay fit…read more He is also very fun when we are playing games. He's exercise are very hard but help me a lot with sports like basketball.

It is a great honor to train under the guidance and patience (and occasional good-natured laughter)…read moreof Grandmaster Tae, the Masters and Assistant Masters at W Kim Tae Kwon Do in Lake Zurich, the Black Belts with whom we train, and my fellow students. I did not join W Kim TKD in LZ as a member in search of "a workout", though through my first eight weeks of training I've certainly discovered and felt muscles I did not know I had. To train with any instructor at W Kim TKD LZ is to feel at some point being truly "pushed", in ways I'd imagine nearly anyone seeking "a workout" would desire. I write this even having trained for and completed five marathons. I am new in my journey toward studying any martial art, currently a High White Belt in Tae Kwon Do. New as I am, even in my upper-40's, and for as much as I stumble along the way, I have no desire to stop training. I chose to pursue study of Tae Kwon Do out of the desire to inspire my 8 year-old son to finish what he started in his own training. About a year ago, when, as a Green Belt in his training, my son grew resistant to the increasing challenges presented to him, I chose to commit to my son that I would personally join him in his training en route to earning a Black Belt.. once he had advanced past Green Belt himself. True to the spirit of this school, my son persevered, and eventually earned his Purple Belt in a Belt Promotion that put his skills and training to the test. And so began our journey together. It is through the spirit of focus, concentration, and tenacity dwelling at the heart of all that happens in every lesson within the school at W Kim TKD Lake Zurich that my son and I have each found a unique but potent way to connect with each other, in participating individually in an experience that undeniably moves each of us beyond our perceived limits. We train in separate rooms, but we know the other is working hard, each in our own pursuit of becoming a better person. The mutual feeling of success after each lesson for each of us is undeniable, and makes for some very enjoyable conversation and celebration together on the ride home.. and for many hours to follow. More importantly, though, the shared experiences we have together at this school have deepened our mutual connection as father and son. These are truly priceless memories that are being formed. If all that I just wrote here still leaves anyone unconvinced, you can freely get a sense of what to expect at W Kim TKD in Lake Zurich simply by looking through the windows of its main training studio, toward its southernmost walls. Take in the Student Creed, the Tenets and Oaths of Taekwondo, and the Children Home Rules. Then, decide for yourself whether what you see written there would be of value to you and/or your children. I know that for me, and for what is plainly viewable as a true, vibrant community amongst the students and teachers, what I saw on that wall was worth pursuing. As both a father and as a midage adult working to improve upon my own internal resolve, I do not regret doing so. I am certain many other students would say the same. - Steve

I have been a student of the Kims at their Palatine locations for about 25 years. My wife and two…read morekids also went for a while. Although I admit, I have not gone for a while. On a shopping trip to Trader Joe's in Lake Zurich, I had forgotten they opened a second location in the same strip mall. So, at around noon on a Saturday, I dropped in. Hoping to run into Master Tae Hyung Kim, I learned he had already left for the day. But, I met the lead instructor and observed for a while. I remember when they had one location in downtown Palatine that was great, but very "lived in". This new location is really nice. It's well lit, the gym is large, the instructors have microphones they wear so they can easily be heard. And, since many of their students are kids, they have a great seating area where parents can watch the classes. I'm really sorry that I missed Tae, but I did leave my number for him. For a couple of years I've said I would go back again. I need to get back in shape. One day, I will be back.

My two boys have been going to AKYI for about a year. They were previously at Hyun's Hapkido and…read moreTaekwondo in Chicago then they had a very brief stint at H Kim's Taekwondo in Northbrook. I can say AKYI is far and away the best taekwondo school they have attended. Master Ray has a great rapport with the students, gives a lot of useful individual attention to each student, and both of my boys have progressed nicely, even in the age of coronavirus (they had zoom lessons for a while and are now back with socially distanced in-person lessons). My kids look forward to their lessons and I can see them continuing well after their black belts. My only gripe is they perform black belt testing only once per year. I get not having them very often since black belt testing is an all day thing. But in our case our younger son just earned his deputy black belt. The black belt test is three months away and it's unlikely he'll be ready in time for it, so he'll likely go fifteen months before testing for his black belt even though he'll likely be ready in seven or so. I'd prefer if they tested twice per year, at least for the first degree black belts for this reason. But all things considered, that's a minor gripe. I'd gladly recommend AKYI to anyone who wants to learn taekwondo, especially those who want to take it seriously.

My 6 y/o son takes Tae Kwon Do classes here and it's a wonderful program for young kids. Master…read moreJeong is great with the kids and teaches them discipline but does a lot of fun things with them to keep them involved and engaged. I'd highly recommend this place for active kids who need an outlet for their pent up energy.

I truly cannot say enough good things about this place. I enrolled my six year old boy in classes…read morehoping that he would gain confidence and strength. He gained that and so much more. The Masters are absolutely amazing. They are true teachers and not babysitters. They are tough yet caring. They give each individual child the attention they need. Not only do they teach the traditional Taekwondo routines, they also teach real life scenario defense moves. The price is very reasonable and the class days and times should be able to match most busy schedules. I highly recommend Dragon k for anyone, child or adult, looking to enhance their skills, increase discipline and strength, agility, and of course, self-defense.

I have two kids taking class here and my family could not be happier with Karate Academy. They are…read moretruly incredible with kids. My youngest started when she was just four years old, and the progress she has made is unbelievable. Both of my kids are learning real discipline, building confidence, and it is showing up in every part of their lives. They are working harder at school, taking their responsibilities at home more seriously, and carrying themselves with so much more pride. Everyone at Karate Academy is friendly, patient, and approachable. You can feel that they genuinely care about each student. Your kids are in good hands with Karate Academy, and we are grateful to be part of their community.

I started training here a year ago after moving to the Chicago area from out of state. I was in the…read moreprocess of training for my black belt, which I was going to test for with my previous club. After losing a few months practice due to the move, Master Nakane got me back up to the level I needed to be for my black belt in a few short months. After earning my black belt, I continued to study with Master Nakane, and I'm glad I did. My class is small and is all adults, which has allowed me to learn a LOT in a short amount of time. (Although I think there is a children's class before the adult class.) The atmosphere of the class is a nice mixture of traditional martial arts formality and fun. Besides the class in Downers Grove, Master Nakane teaches a biweekly class in Evanston as well as a class at Northwestern. If you've ever thought about studying Tae Kwon Do, this is the place!

Amazing instructors! We have been going here for over a year. Now that we moved farther away, we…read moredrive past two other academies just to go here since the instructors are so good with kids.

I enrolled my grandson into Core Martial Arts In Libertyville two years ago. The instructors have…read moreextreme patience with the little ones and watching the progress that this now 6.5 year old has made is commendable. He comes home with what may seem like little things, like being able to count to ten in Korean or showing us some of his "moves", but they are big things to be proud of in his little world. I can't recommend Justin and Therese enough.

I've been an adult student at Kennedy's for nearly 10 years, and I have nothing but great things to…read moresay about the school or the family which owns and operates it. It's been thrilling to see them expand and certify new instructors, then bring in new and complimentary martial art styles. This school is the epitome of traditional martial arts professionalism, philosophy, and integrity. If you stick to it with these instructors, you or your child will be better for it.

I love this place! It has amazing instructors. They are all Nice and funny. They get the moves…read moreinto our heads. Make sure we are disciplined. One day is review. The other is learned. This place is the best for martial arts