Is Taekwondo Good for Beginners?

Taekwondo is one of the world’s most popular martial arts, but is it the right fit for someone looking to get into this field for the first time? Is Taekwondo good for beginners?

Yes, Taekwondo is great for beginners as it is easy to learn, faster to earn a black belt in, has a low injury rate, provides a good foundation for martial art transition, and it is fun to learn.

Taekwondo is one of the best martial arts for beginners and is often the first martial art that adults and parents encounter in their search for a beginner-friendly martial art for themselves or their kids.

Taekwondo is great for kids and young adults looking to develop their martial art skills in a friendly environment.

It is particularly a great introduction to martial arts for kids since taekwondo combines modern athletic techniques with traditional values.

It also includes traditional patterns or Poomsae to help them develop concentration and focus.

The beginner friendliness of taekwondo probably explains why the art is so popular in the world today, especially among kids and teenagers.

Let’s now examine why taekwondo is great for beginners and whether it might be worth your time, energy, and money.

5 Reasons Why Taekwondo Is Good for Beginners

It Is Easy to Learn the Basics

While advanced taekwondo techniques can be a little difficult to master, basic techniques are fairly easy to understand.

Most of the punches and kicks are quite linear. Yes, I know about the spinning kicks, but when compared to Northern Long Fist butterfly kicks, they are quite straightforward to learn when getting started.

The forms i.e. Poomsae are also regimented and can be learned fairly quickly as you progress through the ranks.

There is also a regulated way to spar-fight which is both challenging and fun without getting badly injured.

Low Injury Risk

Generally, when engaged in a combat sport, it’s fair to expect to get injured at some point.

However, it is still important to consider how much injury can be sustained during training and competitions, especially as a beginner who is likely to make more errors. 

Interestingly, Taekwondo has a low injury rate and an even lower permanent injury or damage rate.

Yes, boxing and Mixed Martial Arts are some of the most effective fighting methods for the street but I would recommend Taekwondo to beginners any day.

MMA is a sport with one of the highest numbers of injuries. Boxing also has one of the highest percentages of reported permanent brain injury due to the constant hitting and shaking of the head.

And while Taekwondo also has a lot of kicks to the head, it is not nearly as dangerous since the strikes spread out across the whole body -the head is hit less frequently.

So, if you are young and unafraid to trade a few bruises and muscle strains to become a skilled, fit fighter, definitely have a go at Taekwondo.

It Lays Good Foundation for Martial Art Transition

Taekwondo is a great place to start especially if you are looking to branch out into other forms of martial arts such as MMA or Kick Boxing.

This is because taekwondo kicks are effective and not all martial arts can boast of having these lethal kicking techniques.

So, taekwondo allows for a smooth transition into other martial arts.

It’s a Lot Easier to Get a Black Belt

Taekwondo is one of the easiest martial art to get a black belt in.

A Taekwondo student can earn a black belt faster than any other form of martial arts.

The length of time required to earn a black belt (highest taekwondo belt) in Taekwondo is fairly shorter compared to some other martial arts where it takes a longer number of years.

For example, Karate takes 5 years, while Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu takes up to 10 Years.

But with discipline, hard work, and dedication, you should be able to earn a first-degree black belt in Taekwondo within 3-5 years.

While some schools stipulate a minimum of 4-5 years of training before earning a black belt, others do not.

To earn this belt, the student must first pass a test based on the school’s curriculum.

It is however not uncommon for students to fail this test multiple times.

It Is Fun

This explains why we have a lot of kids, teenagers, and even toddlers in Taekwondo.

Learning a kick, hitting a bag, and sparring in a training hall with an opponent all feel great.

The general experience is empowering especially for girls and women, with the feeling of getting stronger and feeling good about being part of this positive path.

There are so many amazing things about the martial art experience including the friendship that is built with other members of the class and the instructor.

The community aspect of the training environment not only keeps things fun and high-spirited but also inspires everyone involved into becoming better.

The fun way in which taekwondo classes are structured makes you want to look forward to the next day of training.

Its training system isn’t rigid like the traditional Shaolin Kung Fu. It is flexible but still effective.

Besides, modern taekwondo emphasizes the sporting side of the art more than as a martial art.

This explains why some people see taekwondo as a useless martial art. But is taekwondo really useless?

Of course not! Taekwondo is an effective martial art that can serve different purposes depending on what exactly you are looking for.

Is It Easy to Learn Taekwondo?

When compared to other martial arts, taekwondo is relatively easy to learn and gain proficiency in. However, it requires years of hard work to master.

Taekwondo is a basic martial art to learn as a sport and for discipline and self-defense.

Additionally, getting a belt in taekwondo is fairly easier than most other martial arts out there.

However, while taekwondo is beginner friendly and easy to get proficient in, it requires a lot of hard work to achieve mastery.

How Long Does Taekwondo Take To Learn?

The amount of time it takes to learn taekwondo basics and achieve proficiency is approximately 6months to 1 year. It could however take several years to achieve mastery.

A study has also shown that 29 hours of training is needed to train novice students to be proficient in 21 defensive and offensive martial arts techniques.

Also, as stated earlier, it’s possible to earn a black belt in taekwondo within 3 to 5 years if you are dedicated and hardworking.

This however depends on the type of lessons and mentoring you have access to as well as your ability and willingness to learn.

If you want to be a black belt, you will need face-to-face training at some point that demands more from you than just getting fit.

You’ll also discover new levels of confidence, courage, and indomitable spirit that you never knew you had.

However, mastering Taekwondo is a different thing altogether.

First, different organizations allow the title of a master at various levels but it’s usually between 5th and 7th dan.

Also, the time training between awards can vary.

For example, one organization may allow just one or two years between the second and third dan, while it may be three to five years further along before an individual is ready to take the test.

It could take over 20 years or more to reach the master level which is why you need a lot of drive and commitment to keep training and progressing.

So, for people who have achieved black belt master status, taekwondo is a way of life rather than just a sports practice.

Is Taekwondo Worth Learning?

Learning taekwondo can be worth your time, energy, and money considering the enormous benefits that it offers.

Taekwondo is truly a great martial art to learn and one of the reasons for that is that it is a beneficial form of exercise.

This is a fighting sport that can make you stronger, more flexible, more heart healthy, better focused, and teach you discipline and respect, plus a whole lot more.

Not to mention the self-defense benefit and the enormous benefit that would have on your self-confidence.

You just can’t go wrong with Taekwondo. It’s worth every penny!

See: Is Learning Martial Arts Worth It?

Conclusion

Not many martial arts are as beginner friendly as Taekwondo.

It has served as a basic entrance for many martial artists who have gone on to explore the world of martial art.

So, give it a go as it remains the perfect beginner style for anyone looking to learn a martial art.