Frequently Asked Questions about Lehigh Valley TKD
- What sort of school is Lehigh Valley Taekwondo?
- What time are the classes held?
- I am interested in joining, but I don't know if I can handle it. The training looks so demanding.
- I have physical condition(s) that prevents me from doing certain exercises. Can I still join?
- Do I need to sign a contract to join?
- I heard that you do 100 pushups, 100 sit-ups, and other exercises in sets of 100. You are kidding, right?
- How often should I train?
- Should I take a break if I get hurt (inside or outside of training)?
- Should I take a break if I'm too sore to train from the previous days?
- Why is the training so repetitious? When do we get to spar?
- I have some previous experience in Taekwondo. Can I keep my rank?
- I have some previous experience in another martial art. Can I keep my rank?
- Can I train at another school at the same time?
- Does Lehigh Valley Taekwondo participate in tournaments?
What sort of school is Lehigh Valley Taekwondo?
The best description of LVTKD would be "old school style." Manners and etiquette are very important in our school. Training is traditional and very physically demanding. All students work hard and expect the same from those around them.
LVTKD is exclusively about martial art training, not money and business. While many martial art schools today have been highly commercialized, LVTKD is not operated for the purpose of making money. It is open for people who truly want to learn the martial art of Taekwondo.
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What time are the classes held?
Classes are held Monday through Friday starting at 6:00pm for children and 7:00pm for adults. On Saturdays, classes start at 10:30am for all LVTKD members. For more information, visit the class schedule page.
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I am interested in joining, but I don't know if I can handle it. The training looks so demanding.
You never know of what you are really capable until you try. If you are interested, we suggest that you try training with us a few times. Most likely, you will not be able to do everything you are asked. Worst of all, you will probably be very sore. But don't be discouraged! Everyone, including all black belts, started off that way. Sorry to tell you this, but there is no shortcut. It takes a long time. If you stick with our training, however, we guarantee that you will slowly get used to it. If you decide that our training is not for you, then you are always free to stop. No strings attached.
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I have physical condition(s) that prevents me from doing certain exercises. Can I still join?
Of course you can. But be sure to tell Master Lee, so that he can tell you which exercises you should avoid. If you have asthma, make sure to have an inhaler where it is easily accessible.
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Do I need to sign a contract to join?
Many schools require you to sign a contract before joining. Lehigh Valley Taekwondo, however, does not use contracts.
A Word about Contracts
Before signing a contract, make sure that you ask these questions:
- How is the payment received?
- Do you use a coupon book?
- Do I send payments to an agency?
IT IS NOT RECOMMENDED YOU GIVE ANY OF YOUR PERSONAL BANK ACCOUNT INFORMATION, OR YOUR DEBIT/CREDIT CARD INFORMATION!
- What are all the fees?
- Extra class fees?
- Late fees?
- Monthly or yearly fees?
- Special club fees? (i.e. Black belt club: joining such a club sometimes costs extra.)
- Equipment fees? (Do they require you to buy their items?)
- Testing fees?
- Sign up or registration fees?
- Down payments?
- Penalty fees?
- What happens if I am injured and cannot train?
- What happens if I cannot afford payments due to loss of income?
- Are there any circumstances in which the contract can be void?
- What happens if the school closes or moves to another location?
All of your questions should be answered, written in a document and signed by the proper representative of the school. You should refrain from signing any contract until then.
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I heard that you do 100 pushups, 100 sit-ups, and other exercises in sets of 100. You are kidding, right?
No, we are serious. It is very important to be physically fit when practicing martial arts. It requires strength, speed, and endurance. Training the old-fashioned way is the only way to achieve the necessary strength. There is no shortcut.
To summarize, we perform these exercises because:
- Practicing any technique is nearly useless without the power, speed, and endurance to execute it effectively.
- Performing certain techniques without sufficient muscular strength can lead to bodily harm. For example, knees and elbows can easily be damaged if the muscles around them are not strong enough to support them.
- Training under physical discomfort and fatigue serves as your mental training because it helps to discipline your mind. Not many martial art schools today provide this aspect of training; we do.
Most importantly, these exercises definitely will keep you in shape. After all, isn't that one of your goals?
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How often should I train?
The frequency of your training depends on what your goal is. If your goal is occasional stress relief and exercise, then once or twice a week may suffice. However, if you wish to train seriously in order to improve your martial art skills, twice a week becomes the absolute minimum. Three times or more is definitely recommended.
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Should I take a break if I get hurt (inside or outside of training)?
Minor injuries do not have to stop you from training if there are no complications. You simply have to be careful and selective during training. Consult Master Lee if you have any concerns about your injuries, so that he may adjust your training accordingly. Consult a doctor if you believe you are seriously injured and always follow the advice of a qualified physician.
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Should I take a break if I'm too sore to train from the previous days?
Muscular aches get worse if you do not keep training. Your body generally becomes sore when it is exposed to unaccustomed stress. If you rest every time you get sore, your body will never get used to the strain of training, and you will always be sore after training. Being sore is usually not the same as being injured and should not prevent you from training.
It is also especially important to stretch when you are sore in order to avoid injury and excessive tightening of the muscles.
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Why is the training so repetitious? When do we get to spar?
When you go through repetitious routines, keep in mind that you are being taught fundamental skills. They may be boring, but practicing any advanced techniques would be a waste of time without these fundamental skills. Take sparring, for example sparring would indeed become a complete waste of time unless you have some idea of what you are trying to accomplish. You then need to possess the techniques to accomplish your goal, and the strength to make such techniques effective. Be patient and wait there will be plenty of time for more interesting activities.
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I have some previous experience in Taekwondo. Can I keep my rank?
If you hold a registered black belt from the World Taekwondo Federation, you most likely will be able to keep your rank, though this is ultimately at Master Lee's discretion. If you hold a colored belt with the WTF, or with any other Taekwondo organization (ITF, ATA, etc.), Master Lee may permit you to wear your rank, again at his discretion.
It is polite and definitely desirable for you to ask Master Lee first about keeping your rank. It is even better if you simply wear a white belt when you train at LVTKD. Your skills will show and if you work hard, you will be noticed. When Master Lee recognizes that you deserve to wear your previous rank, you will be requested to do so. However, this does NOT mean you should show off your skills, or start teaching lower ranks. Just train normally. If you are truly good, trained eyes will take note.
If you hold, and wish to continue wearing, a high rank at LVTKD, you will be expected to show manners and skills to justify the rank by our standards. There are many students at LVTKD who have experience of training at another school; they can assure you the standards of LVTKD are quite high.
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I have some previous experience in another martial art. Can I keep my rank?
It would be most desirable for you to start training as a white belt. If you show exceptional manners and skills, Master Lee may consider promoting you to a higher rank. If you come from another martial art, however, you will not be promoted to a black belt right away; you will have to earn it.
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Can I train at another school at the same time?
If you can spare the time, money, and energy, we will not stop you from training simultaneously at another school. You may look into another school of same or different style of martial art. If you can find another school that provides quality training, then you are free to take advantage of it.
We do not advise this, however, to students who are new to martial arts. Training at more than one school, especially of different styles, before being proficient in either one of them is detrimental to your progress. Different requirements for different styles can confuse you, and can definitely affect the rate at which you improve. We recommend that you stick with one style, until you understand the art, before you look into another.
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Does Lehigh Valley Taekwondo participate in tournaments?
Anyone who is interested in competing will have a number of opportunities each year. Unlike collegiate tournaments, there rarely are team competitions. However, competitors of our school usually go as a group and support each other at the tournament.
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