40+ years of experience. Grandmaster Kim opened Salt Lake City’s first martial arts school in 1984 and has taught thousands of students across all ages and skill levels.
Beginner-friendly. No experience required. Curriculum is designed for first-time students and experienced practitioners alike.
Olympic-style instruction. Kim’s Academy teaches WTF Taekwondo — the internationally recognized, competition-grade discipline.
Hapkido included. Taekwondo class curriculum at Kim’s Academy incorporates Hapkido self-defense techniques not commonly offered at other Taekwondo schools.
Family-focused. Parents and children train together in family classes. Discounts for multiple family members.
Utah Fits All Scholarship accepted. Kim’s Academy accepts Utah Fits All Scholarship funds for qualifying home school students.
Free introductory class. Try one class with no commitment. A 4-week introductory special including a free uniform ($65 value) is also available.
Getting started at Kim’s Academy is easy! Simply Call/Text (435) 640-8059 to schedule your free introductory lesson to discover the fun! There’s no obligation and you may ask any questions you have about our programs.
We also offer a 4 week introductory special , which includes a FREE uniform (a $65 value). It’s a great way to experience Taekwondo, build confidence, and see why families love training with us. Ask for details.
What makes Kim’s Academy different from other Taekwondo schools in Salt Lake City? Kim’s Academy was founded in 1984 by Grandmaster Kim, the first martial arts school in Salt Lake City. It is one of the only schools in the area that integrates Hapkido self-defense techniques into Taekwondo classes and offers family programs where parents and children train together.
Are Taekwondo classes at Kim’s Academy good for beginners? Yes. The curriculum is built for beginners. No prior martial arts experience is required. Instructors provide personalized attention and progress each student at their own pace.
Does Kim’s Academy offer Olympic-style Taekwondo? Yes. Kim’s Academy teaches World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) Olympic-style Taekwondo — the discipline used in international competition and the Olympic Games.
Do you offer family Taekwondo classes in Salt Lake City? Yes. Kim’s Academy offers family classes where parents and children train together. Multi-family enrollment discounts are available. Contact (435) 640-8059 for current family pricing.
How much do Taekwondo classes cost at Kim’s Academy? Kim’s Academy offers a free introductory class with no obligation. A 4-week introductory special that includes a free uniform ($55 value) is also available. Longer-term monthly, 6-month, and 1-year memberships are offered with discounts for multiple family members. Call (435) 640-8059 for current pricing.
Where can I sign up for Taekwondo classes in Salt Lake City? Call or text (435) 640-8059 or email GMKimsacademy@gmail.com. Kim’s Academy is located at 1602 East 2100 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84106 (Garden Center at Sugar House Park).
Do you offer Taekwondo and self-defense classes together? Yes. Kim’s Academy’s Taekwondo curriculum includes Hapkido self-defense techniques. Kim’s Academy is one of the few schools in Salt Lake City that teaches both disciplines in an integrated program.
What is the minimum age for Taekwondo at Kim’s Academy? Classes are available for children starting at age 5, sometimes 4 depending on maturity.. Our classes are for Children, teens and adults are also available.
At Kim’s Academy, our family programs are designed to strengthen teamwork, unity, and family bonds. When family members train and work together, each individual’s skills and confidence naturally improve, creating a supportive environment for growth.
Our programs help families build lifelong loyalty, mutual respect, and a strong connection, all while learning valuable martial arts skills. With our guidance, the whole family can reach their full potential—physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Our children/ Teen / Adult programs at Kim’s Academy are an excellent extra-curricular activity that promotes growth, discipline, and confidence. We provide high-quality instruction and personalized attention to every student, ensuring they develop their skills at their own pace.
Beyond physical training, our program emphasizes positive values, responsibility, and leadership skills, helping children build confidence, a positive attitude, and improved focus—benefits that extend to school, friendships, and everyday life.
Our Little Tigers Program is specially designed for children ages 5 to 6, providing a fun, engaging, and educational introduction to martial arts. This award-winning program not only helps develop coordination, muscle memory, and fine motor skills, but also emphasizes essential life skills such as self-esteem, self-discipline, and respect.
Using positive reinforcement, our instructors focus on each child’s strengths, creating a supportive and exciting learning environment where your little tiger can grow both physically and mentally.
Our adult programs at Kim’s Academy incorporates Tai Chi designed to help students develop and maintain a strong body and focused mind. Training incorporates isometric and tension exercises, gradual stretching, concentration techniques, and practice drills to improve overall fitness and mental clarity.
Adult Students notice increased energy, enhanced fitness, greater self-discipline, and higher confidence, all while learning practical self-defense skills. In addition, martial arts training serves as an excellent stress-reliever, promoting balance and well-being in daily life.
If this is your first experience with martial arts, there’s no need to worry. Our curriculum is designed for beginners, gradually building skills step by step to ensure you feel confident and supported.
Our friendly, experienced instructors will guide you through everything you need to know, providing personalized attention along the way. For those with previous martial arts experience, you can jump right in and train alongside students at your same skill level.
Karate and Taekwondo are just different branches from the same martial arts tree. Traditional Karate is from Okinawa, and popularized in Japan, while Taekwondo is “Korean Karate”. They have very similar blocks and kicks, punches and takedowns. However, Taekwondo differentiates from Karate with its acrobatic kicks, and multiple kicking combinations, not usually found in Karate. Kung fu is a martial art founded in china and has more circular movements rather than linear movements found in Taekwondo and Karate.
I’ve heard that martial arts teaches kids that fighting is the answer. Is this true?
Contrary to common misconceptions, martial arts does not encourage aggression or violence. In fact, Taekwondo is built on principles of respect, self-discipline, self-control, obedience, and personal responsibility.
Students are taught to live by the Taekwondo student philosophies and creed , which clearly outline the values, character development, and life skills instilled through training. Martial arts is about building strong minds, strong bodies, and strong character, not promoting a
Pricing varies based on your level of commitment, and we offer flexible options to suit every student and family.
FREE Introductory Class – Experience an in-class session with no obligation to see if Taekwondo is right for you. Schedule today by calling or texting (435) 640-8059.
Introductory Special – 4 weeks of Taekwondo classes , includes a FREE uniform (a $65 value). Call (435) 640-8059 Ask for current introductory pricing specials.
We also offer longer-term options including monthly, 6-month, and 1-year memberships, as well as discounts for multiple family members.
To learn more about our pricing and schedule your FREE class, contact Master Godfrey at (435) 640-8059. Take the first step toward fitness, confidence, and self-defense today!
Yes! We can send you a receipt for you to be reimbursed through the Utah fit’s all Scolarship funds for home school programs.
Kim’s Academy teaches self-defense throughout the entire cirriculum
1. Taekwondo Self-Defense (All Ages) Olympic-style Taekwondo forms the foundation of all self-defense training at Kim’s Academy. Students learn blocks, strikes, kicks, and situational awareness — practical techniques that translate directly into real-world defense scenarios. Classes are available for children (ages 5+), teens, and adults.
2. Hapkido Self-Defense (Adults) Hapkido — “The Way of Coordinated Energy” — is a Korean martial art developed by Choi Yong Sul that specializes in joint locks, redirections, and throws. Unlike purely striking-based arts, Hapkido teaches students to use an attacker’s energy against them. It is designed to be effective for 90% of people in 90% of real-life self-defense situations. Private Hapkido lessons with Master Godfrey are available by reservation.
Grandmaster Kim founded Kim’s Academy in 1984 — the first martial arts school in Salt Lake City. He served as the first Utah State Taekwondo President for over a decade and continues to teach and mentor students daily. With over 40 years of experience in Korean martial arts, Grandmaster Kim brings rare depth to both Taekwondo and Hapkido instruction.
Master Williams is skilled in both Hapkido and Taekwondo Blackbelt level instruction at the academy, Master Williams loves workshopping new and inventive Self-Defense techniques.
Master Godfrey has Many years of Black belt training in both International and World style Taekwondo instruction at the academy, and loves training Self-Defense techniques to beginners and Advanced.
Jr. Instructor Mr. Godfrey Advanced to 1st Dan Blackbelt in 2025 and is an enthusiastic leader for Children, Teens, and Adults .
*Private lessons also available contact (435) 640-8059
offering one-on-one sessions tailored to each student’s goals and physical abilities.
No martial arts experience is required to start. Kim’s Academy’s curriculum is designed from the ground up for beginners. In your first classes you will:
Learn fundamental stances and movement patterns
Practice basic blocks and strikes in a controlled environment
Develop situational awareness and de-escalation mindset
Build the physical confidence that makes self-defense effective
Instructors provide individualized attention and coach to each student’s strengths — not a one-size-fits-all approach.
Kim’s Academy is one of the few martial arts schools in Salt Lake City where parents and children can train together in the same class.. Thursday Class is our combined Family class with Children and Adults. Our programs are structured to:
Build shared confidence and discipline
Strengthen family bonds through a challenging, rewarding shared activity
Teach children age-appropriate self-defense alongside anti-bullying techniques
Give Children focus and practical skills, parents can reinforce at home
Multi-family discounts are available. Call (435) 640-8059 for current family pricing.
Kim’s Academy of Taekwondo is located at the Garden Center at Sugar House Park 1602 East 2100 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84106 (Click the link for google maps)
1602 East 2100 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84106 (Click the link for apple maps)
Call/Text: (435) 640-8059 Email: GMKimsacademy@gmail.com
Taekwondo (“The Way of the Fist and Foot”) is a Korean striking art built around powerful, acrobatic kicks, punching combinations, and dynamic footwork. It has been an Olympic sport since the 2000 Sydney Games.
At Kim’s Academy, students learn World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) Olympic-style Taekwondo, including:
Poomsae (forms/kata) that train muscle memory and technique sequences
Controlled sparring with protective equipment
Board breaking for power development and focus
Self-defense applications against common attacks
Taekwondo is strongest when: you have distance from an attacker, you need to create space, or you are training for competition.
Hapkido (“The Way of Coordinated Energy”) is a Korean martial art developed by Choi Yong Sul in the 1940s and 50s. Rather than meeting force with force, Hapkido uses the attacker’s own momentum against them through joint locks, throws, pressure points, and redirection techniques.
At Kim’s Academy, Hapkido instruction emphasizes:
Wrist locks, elbow locks, and shoulder locks
Throwing and takedown techniques
Breath and energy control under pressure
Defense against grabs, holds, and close-range attacks
Hapkido is strongest when: you are in close range, grabbed or held, or defending against a larger and stronger attacker.
Taekwondo is more effective for: striking, creating distance, defense in open space, and deterrence (visible training and confidence discourage most attackers).
Hapkido is more effective for: close-range defense, escaping grabs and holds, neutralizing larger attackers by redirecting their energy, and controlling rather than injuring an opponent.
For most real-world self-defense scenarios: Hapkido addresses the situations Taekwondo does not — the close-range, grab-and-control attacks that account for the majority of civilian self-defense situations.
The strongest self-defense training combines both. This is exactly what Kim’s Academy teaches. Taekwondo class curriculum at Kim’s Academy includes Hapkido self-defense techniques, giving students striking range AND close-range defense — a combination not commonly offered at other schools.
Both are appropriate for children. Taekwondo is more widely taught for children because of its Olympic-sport structure, clear belt progression, and emphasis on athletic development.
At Kim’s Academy:
Children and teens learn Taekwondo in group classes, with Hapkido self-defense integrated into the curriculum
Ages 5-6 begin with the Little Tigers program, which introduces Taekwondo fundamentals through age-appropriate, positive reinforcement-based instruction
Anti-bullying techniques drawn from both disciplines are taught as part of all youth programs
Adults at Kim’s Academy train in Olympic-style Taekwondo supplemented by Tai Chi warm-ups and Hapkido self-defense. Private one-on-one Hapkido lessons with Master Godfrey are available by reservation for adults who want to focus specifically on Hapkido technique.
For adults primarily interested in fitness and competition: Taekwondo. For adults primarily interested in practical close-range self-defense: Hapkido, or the combined program. For adults who want both: Kim’s Academy’s standard adult Taekwondo program, which includes Hapkido.
At Kim’s Academy, yes. This is one of the reasons students come from across Salt Lake City and the surrounding area. Most martial arts schools specialize in one discipline. Kim’s Academy has taught both for over 40 years under the instruction of Grandmaster Kim, who has deep expertise in Korean martial arts across both striking and grappling traditions.
Not sure which to start with? Call or text (435) 640-8059. Grandmaster Kim or a senior instructor will help you identify the best starting point based on your goals — whether that’s fitness, sport competition, self-defense, or all three.
Free introductory class available. No experience required. All ages welcome.
Kim’s Academy of Taekwondo 1602 East 2100 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84106 Call/Text: (435) 640-8059 Email: GMKimsacademy@gmail.com
Are Kim’s Academy self-defense classes good for complete beginners? Yes. Kim’s Academy’s curriculum is designed for students with zero martial arts experience. Instructors provide personalized attention and tailor instruction to each student’s current fitness and skill level. No experience is required to enroll.
What is the difference between Taekwondo and Hapkido self-defense? Taekwondo self-defense emphasizes strikes, kicks, and blocks — excellent for creating distance and stopping an attacker. Hapkido focuses on joint locks, redirections, and throws that use an attacker’s own energy against them. Kim’s Academy teaches both disciplines within the same program.
Do you offer self-defense classes specifically for women? Yes. Kim’s Academy’s self-defense training is appropriate for all genders and is specifically effective for women, as Hapkido techniques are designed to work regardless of size or strength differences.
Which is better for self-defense: Taekwondo or Hapkido? Both are effective for different scenarios. Taekwondo excels at keeping distance and neutralizing attackers with powerful kicks and strikes. Hapkido is more effective in close-range situations where joint locks and redirections allow a smaller person to control a larger attacker. Kim’s Academy students receive training in both disciplines.
How do I enroll in self-defense classes at Kim’s Academy? Call or text (435) 640-8059 to schedule your free introductory class. No obligation, no experience required. Ask about the 4-week introductory special, which includes a free uniform ($65 value)..
Do you offer self-defense classes for children? Yes. Self-defense instruction is integrated into all children’s and teen classes, including the Little Tigers program for ages 5-6. Children learn age-appropriate techniques, anti-bullying strategies, and situational awareness.
What are the best self-defense classes in Salt Lake City? Kim’s Academy of Taekwondo offers one of Salt Lake City’s most comprehensive self-defense programs, combining Olympic-style Taekwondo with Hapkido. Founded in 1984 by Grandmaster Kim, the academy serves students from age 5 through adult at its Sugar House Park location (1602 East 2100 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84106).
Both Taekwondo and Hapkido are Korean martial arts. Both build confidence, physical fitness, and self-defense skills. But they work very differently — and understanding the difference helps you choose the right program, or both.
Kim’s Academy of Taekwondo in Salt Lake City is one of the only schools in Utah that teaches both disciplines. Grandmaster Kim has practiced and taught both for over 40 years. This guide is written from direct, combined teaching experience.
Taekwondo VS. Hapkido
Origin Korea (post-WWII standardization) Korea (developed by Choi Yong Sul)
Core techniques Kicks, punches, blocks, forms Joint locks, throws, redirections, strikes
Range Mid-to-long range Close range
PhilosophyStriking power, discipline, sport Energy redirection, control, practical def Olympic sport? Yes (since 2000) No
Best forSport competition, fitness, striking def. Real-world close-contact self-defense Suitable for beginners? Yes Yes )
Available at Kim’s Academy Yes -group classes all ages Yes – integrated in curriculum
At Kim’s Academy of Taekwondo in Salt Lake City is one of the only schools in Utah that teaches both disciplines and integrates both Martial arts in our curriculum mainly focusing on Taekwondo and mixing in Hapkido for additional Self-Defense techniques. We feel the mixing of the martial arts gives students a more well rounded martial art experience. where you don’t have to choose.
