Tiger Rock Martial Arts Academy

UPDATED DEC. 2016
Taekwondo is both an ancient Korean Martial Art, and a modern International Olympic sport.

It serves as a means of self-protection, giving one the assurance of being able to do so if the need arises. Tiger Rock Martial Arts Academy programs are styled to keep the body conditioned, and the mind clear. It provides confidence, self-defense and self-control.

Each adult taekwondo class begins with a warmup; typically this is jumping jacks or jump ropes, then stretches (there are some yoga stretches in there), then the warmup ends with some basic kicks.

After that, we typically work on punch/kick combinations for about 10 minutes, then move on to the form portion of the workout. This is where we all practice our form. Sometimes we will do 10 pushups, 10 situps, and 10 squats after each completed form. After form, we will work on our sparring or counter aggression skills for about 10 minutes.

Next up is agility. This is where you get to feel like a kid again and go through an obstacle course made up of different things, such as hurdles, cones, punching bags, etc. The last 10 minutes is a final stretch.

Kisado is a high-intensity interval training that includes “components of martial arts, yoga, kickboxing, plyometrics, bag work, and additional training methods to improve flexibility, agility, strength, speed and endurance”. Kisado is approximately an hour-long class.

Childcare is not provided, though there are large glass windows that look into the waiting area at the Monrovia location. My two children, ages 9 and 7, usually either read books, play with other children, or watch other kids play their DS’s or iPads. If you have kids that are very small and require more direct supervision, you may want to take an evening class and leave your kids with your spouse/significant other.
[sws_pullquote_left]It’s a great family activity that we can all participate in, as well as grow our fitness and confidence levels. [/sws_pullquote_left]

As for body soreness the next day, it depends on the workout; sometimes arms are the focus, other times legs and booty are the focus. Oftentimes I will hear folks say, I don’t want to be sore! I hate to tell them, but being sore is just part of it. I tend to look at it as I’m making progress on shedding some of that extra weight or toning certain areas!

Adults of any fitness level can participate in either kisado or taekwondo (or both!). In fact, there are folks from ALL fitness levels. You simply have to come with a positive attitude and the desire to have fun. The instructors there, as well as fellow classmates, will provide instruction no matter what your level of fitness. There are folks of all sizes, shapes, and weights, and every one of them is having a blast.

I’ll admit, when I first started taekwondo, I felt so uncoordinated. I was the only white belt, surrounded by higher level belts. However, I realized that those black belts all had to start at the white belt level. Plus, every single higher belt I’ve ever run across has been nothing but encouraging, supportive, and helpful.

I’ve been taking classes for about 6 months, and I’m currently a Level 1 Green Belt. My son started classes when he was 5 years old, then my daughter followed suit. Ben graduated from their Tiger Cub program (geared for smaller kids), and both he and Alice are in the youth classes. Ben is a Yellow Belt, and Alice is a Level 1 Blue Belt. We all competed recently in the Tiger-Rock National Championships in Tuscaloosa, and both Alice & I received silver medals in sparring.

As a 41 year old mom… being able to say, “Yeah, I received this silver medal in taekwondo sparring!” is pretty darn awesome! It’s a great family activity that we can all participate in, as well as grow our fitness and confidence levels.

Details

Name of Facility: Tiger Rock Martial Arts Academy
Locations: 12060 Suite D. County Line Rd. Madison, AL 35756 Phone:
Phone: 256-262-4545
Cost: I pay a family membership of $100 per month, that’s unlimited classes for both my kids and myself. See website for additional package details and class schedules.
Adult class times:
Class times vary – call for the current schedule!

[box style=”lavender, rounded” ] Per our review policy, payment was not accepted for this review and goods were not exchanged. This is simply the unfiltered opinion of a local parent provided in order to help other parents make an informed decision about where they workout.[/box]