One of the things I like most about ILDO Taekwondo Academy is the fact that it has several locations in Singapore. One is in the east region, while three are scattered in the west. Because of this, their reach is impressive. 

The classes are divided by age groups, and the instructors accept students as young as three years old! Not just that, they also have students older than 50 years old and even classes dedicated to families. 

If you’re more interested in the competitive side of taekwondo, this school offers competition classes as well. These advanced programs don’t just focus on sparring; they will also teach you how to combine music, dance, and acrobatics with taekwondo. 

The instructors deserve their praise. They’re already patient with us adults, but they’re even more so with the kids! I actually observed the Tiny classes several times, and the instructors were accommodating with the kids. 

Not sure if this is the school for you? You can book a trial lesson! Unfortunately, this lesson comes with a price, which is a bummer, especially when other schools offer free trial lessons.

Friendly instructors

“Went there for trial only as I know kids at 3 to 5 yo, they are still playing at classes. However, I ended up enrolling my kid in the 2nd term as she was enjoying herself in class. The teachers were friendly and guided her throughout. She is now able to listen to instructions, do the required work, albeit playing at times.”

• SX T, Google Review

Great with kids, fun lessons

“My child absolutely loves their taekwondo classes here! The masters are fantastic—they’re great with the kids and really make the lessons fun. We’ve also really enjoyed the strong sense of community. Highly recommend!”

• Claire Lee, Google Review

Unlike the other institutions on this list, Paul Lee Taekwondo only has one location in Singapore. As such, their reach is pretty limited—just people in downtown Singapore.

That said, the school is conveniently located in the city. It’s easy to locate, and it’s near two MRT stations as well, so students—both new and recurring—won’t have a hard time commuting.

In addition to the convenient location, another thing that makes Paul Lee Taekwondo a great school is the fact that they offer a free trial—not just for one class but for the whole month! This impresses me because I haven’t seen many schools with that perk. 

Did you enjoy your experience with the free trial? It’s time to enrol in their classes. They have classes for all ages, so anyone can join. I’ve heard that they had an 84-year-old student once!

Another thing that people love about this school is that the instructors don’t just focus on the fighting part of taekwondo. They also teach students some leadership and teamwork skills, and for the older crowd, there’s an emphasis on flexibility and strength as well.

Fun class

“Free lesson class for my four-year-old son! Ended up he enjoyed the class and loves both Master Paul and Master Teo! Just signed up for 12lessons👍 can burn his energy and also learn the skills of Tae! Strongly recommended.”

• Sin Ying Chay, Google Review

Welcoming and attentive instructors

“I attended a trial class at Paul Lee Taekwondo and had a wonderful experience. The instructors were welcoming, attentive, and made the session both engaging and enjoyable. Highly recommended for anyone interested in picking up Taekwondo!”

• Sandra Choong, Google Review

Johan Taekwondo Institute is the perfect school for people who are interested in competitive taekwondo. They have classes dedicated to that, and when you’re ready, you can even participate in their Waein Cup and vie for the ultimate prize.

If you’re not competitive, don’t worry because you can just enrol in any of their usual classes. They have classes for everyone—from toddlers to adults—and they focus on the basics of form and take-down skills as well as a few self-defence techniques. 

Another great thing about the Johan Taekwondo Institute is the fact that it has many outlets all over the country. Currently, there are 11 of them! It’s no wonder this school has produced so many taekwondoists! 

They also offer a free trial lesson for people who are still on the fence. It’s only one-time, but it’s still a pretty solid deal.

However, students told me that at the outlet in Thomson, the admin could be rude to people who just went to the school to inquire and not sign up for classes. 

Patient and caring instructors

“My 4-year-old boy loves coming here! The instructors are patient, caring, and really know how to engage young children. It’s been amazing to see my child grow in confidence, focus, and discipline while still having lots of fun. A wonderful place to start their taekwondo journey!”

• David Z, Google Review

Fantastic instructors

“My 5-year-old son just started Taekwondo here and absolutely loved his first trial session! The instructors are fantastic with young kids very patient, encouraging, and full of energy. It’s a great environment for learning discipline, focus, and having fun. We’re excited to continue the journey with this amazing team. Highly recommended for little ones!”

• Jaathavan Kumarachandran, Google Review

If you’re a taekwondo enthusiast in central and north Singapore, then Kickmatics Taekwondo is the school for you. This school currently has three locations: Ang Mo Kio, Yishun, and Punggol. 

I like that the school implements a healthy instructor-to-student ratio. This is especially true for Junior classes in which there are only five students per instructor, and that’s such a wise move because instructors can manage the class much more efficiently. 

I also love that in addition to the classes categorised by ages, they also have a class designated for families. This is perfect for parents who want to spend more bonding time with their kids.

Students—both former and current—like that the classes don’t just focus on kicking and striking. They also instil lessons on discipline and precision, which, in turn, build their characters.

If you just want to get a feel of their classes, this school does offer a trial lesson, but it comes with a fee of S$20. You can only get it for free if you sign up for a program immediately after the trial class.

Positive atmosphere

“I highly recommend this Taekwondo school! My child has been attending for four years, and the experience has been nothing short of amazing. The coaches are incredibly dedicated and skilled. We started with Coach Jordan, Coach Rommel and Ashley. They really foster a supportive environment for all the students. My child has grown both in skill and confidence, and they’re now looking forward to earning their black belt. The training is fun and rewarding, and there are many opportunities to participate in competitions, which has been a great way to challenge and motivate them. Overall, the commitment of the coaches and the positive atmosphere at the school make it an excellent place for kids to learn and grow in Taekwondo!”

• Liwen Koh, Google Review

Patient and professional coaches

“Fantastic place for Taekwondo training. I’ve personally trained there for adult classes and also send my kids there. Environment is uplifting and bright. Coaches are patient, professional and understand the different needs for the student. Whether you are training for fitness or to compete, I would highly recommend them.”

• Cheok Foong Wong, Google Review

If we’re talking about the largest network of taekwondo training centres in Singapore, the Singapore Taekwondo Academy wins that crown. Operating since 1971, this school has countless outlets, located in community centres, private studios, gyms, and more. 

The classes here cater to all people, young and old, and I find it interesting that sometimes, kids, teens, and adults are lumped together in one session. The school also offers private lessons, which is good news for shy students! 

They charge monthly here, and I think that’s a wise move because you can have as many lessons per month as you want. You’ll also have access to sparring lessons and self-defence training at no additional cost! 

The one downside to this school is that you can’t pay via credit cards. You’ll have to choose another payment method, such as via PayNow, PayLah, Google Pay, Internet Banking FAST Transfer, ATM transfer, or cash deposit. 

Another downside is that they’re only open on one or two days. The limited number of classes does tend to create a scarcity problem, and your chances of booking one are slim. 

Professional instructors

“Mr. Adrian is very professional and manages the class and students exceptionally well, even in challenging situations such as conflicts or disobedience. He welcomed my child, who has ADHD, and made him feel inclusive as a part of the class. His approach is greatly appreciated.”

• Liz Nguyễn, Google Review

High skilled instructors

“My daughter has been with STA for four years now, and all the trainers at Northpoint are highly skilled. A special thanks to Sir Adrian for your support and encouragement during grading tests.”

• Reenz Reena, Google Review