Kuk Sool Won Martial Art Center, Woodland, CA

It's such a great school place. I've been training here since I was 3 years old and I know so much now. I know how to defend my self, etc.. There still a lot I have to learn though. I am 12 years old now and a 1st degree black belt. It took me 7 years to get to black belt and it has been so much fun doing it too. I love this training place so much. I want to thank all of the teachers/instructors so much for teaching me so much, etc... They are really kind too. I have so much more to say, but that would take awhile and I have to train so later guys.

They let you trial for 30 days but if you decide the program is not for you or your children then guess what, you pay for three months after you cancel!!! When I politely stated my discontent with the program and agreed to pay the last month fees the main female instructor (owner) told me that by law I have to come in and cancel. She also stated that I cannot just cancel and I will continue to be charged for three months after. That is literally crazy to me. I like the freedom of deciding I no longer want to use a companies services and not have to pay for service I no longer use. I attend a training academy in Dixon that welcomes all ages for a similar price. However, its essentially an open schedule and you can train with your kids and show up and train any hours the gym is open. There are many others like this academy around Woodland, Davis and Dixon. They teach both stand up and grappling. kuk sool won has a good review and the staff are relatively nice as long as you go along with there contract and program. Stating your opinion and trying to reason with some--not all--of the staff doesn't get you very far. kuk sool won is a bit more of a business than a martial arts studio. While I'm new to martial arts, I am not new to business and yes, I signed the contract but the conditions were not met on there end but they want to hold me to the letter of the contract. When you enter this place just know your entering an unreasonable contract. Even if you like the program offered, the contract is designed to financially benefit the studio and give them an unfair advantage in a legal situation.

This school costs a minimum of $165/month, which the woman refused to tell me until after she met my son. I had first called, and then went to talk to her in person, because I wanted to find out approximately how much the program costs so that I wouldn't be getting my son into something I couldn't afford. She kept saying that she could not tell me how much it cost until after she assessed my son and found out what class would suit him best. I said I needed at least a ball park figure - she said classes ran between 8 and 10 dollars per session. So, I estimated that two classes a week would cost between 64 and 80 dollars per month. I gave up our gym membership to send my son to martial arts training instead. We went to the assessment appointment, where she told my son all the rules of the dojang, had him practicing kicks and punches and grab releases and some forms, had us go over the class schedule... got us both quite excited about the school... then she pulls out a binder and is flipping through the printed material and on the third page the price shows. $165/month - and a year contract required! I told her that was over twice what she had led me to believe and that I couldn't possibly afford that. She acted all surprised. Said again that she couldn't possibly have told me how much it would cost until she met my son. I said "It's printed right there - you could have told me that." She said again "No, I couldn't tell you how much it cost until I decided what class he'd be in." The price is printed RIGHT THERE. "Well, this isn't our only program - there are less expensive ones." Oh, there are less expensive ones? "Yes, but those are for younger children." I TOLD YOU HE WAS EIGHT. Then she gave me a wide-eyed innocent "I've worked here for years and no one has ever been upset by this," and a condescending "I apologize that this has upset you, it's never been a problem for anyone before." These are techniques one might expect from a sleazy car salesman - I won't tolerate them. I will not pay money to send my son to supposedly build character in a school run by deceitful people. I can say nothing about the instructors or the martial arts class experience, only that if they dropped the price to ten dollars a month right now, I would still walk away. You do not sit there and lie to my face and get my money, and how dare you use my son as a pawn in your attempt to emotionally manipulate me. Oh, and I now realize a lot of the positive reviews on the Internet say they give great birthday parties at Kuk Sool Won... Birthday parties? Friends have now introduced me to the term "McDojo". I think that's what this is. I have since found a Tae Kwon Do instructor near my house, who does not advertise or do birthday parties, just teaches kids in a no-bling warehouse for $100/month, three classes per week, with honest and open communication, and no emotional manipulation. My son is doing a free trial period, enjoying it immensely, and I will be signing him up officially next week.

Brilliant school, What amazing staff they have there. Very friendly. Join the school you will have no regrets.

My daughter has been attending this school since the beginning of last summer. She has learned so much since being there. She has grown in self confidence, she has learned how to protect herself, & she has learned how to continue helping others. The people here are amazing, not just the teachers but the parents as well. Always great conversation while watching our little/big ones do their thing!!! One of my favorite parts is hearing the class say Student Creed #4 LOUD & PROUD!!! Always gives me the chills. I have heard so many great things children have accomplished just by being in this school!! It teaches them focus, courage, self confidence, respect, defense.... the list is endless!! Every time I walk through those doors I feel warm & welcome!