Reviews of Northern Tang Soo Do (WTSDA)

A very good club, with experienced instructors. The instructors and family who run the club are clearly very passionate about what they do and have so much to say about the karate style and higher belts in it. They are just normal people which is refreshing, they do the club for the karate not as a job or as a way of showing off. They rent a hall to offer reasonable class prices, they have 3 open classes a week, that you can attended when you, they don’t force you or demand for you to be there all the time. They encourage you to be there to like support you to keep trying. It’s a calm approach, like not like completely laidback but not forceful on people to be there. You go when you can they check up on you if you have been absent golf or a while, if people haven’t shown up for a while or are sick a lot they will say hope they’re ok or hope to see them again. The negative reviews on here seem biased like they are people not rude, they say hello help you out and teach you what you are there for and are honest good black belts.

I’ve been a member of the club for a very long time. I have gained a lot from the club, physically and mentally. It is a different experience for everyone, some enjoy it, some don’t. However, we welcome anyone and everyone!

We want people to come in, feel welcome, learn something new, enjoy what they are doing, and become a member of our tang soo do family. We are very lucky as a club, as we have 3 very skilled master belts as our instructors, a group of black belts/instructors, who are there as a helping hand too.

Come and give it a try, give us a chance, and hope you feel the joy of becoming a member of Northern TSD.

A nice friendly and happy club. No pressure to get belts too fast, it is an emphasis on training and getting better instead of just winning competitions, showing off or coming off across of threatening. It’s gone through difficult few years, but will always fight for the community it builds. The people actually care about each other and it’s about the martial art

It is worth a try, you can only judge it if you actually try it. Everyone is friendly and the black belts really want to help and encourage everyone.

My child started off as a junior member and continued on to become a senior black belt. Very proud of what they achieved. Everyone was very welcoming and wish them all the best of luck in the future. Give it a try.

Was happy to attend the club, trying to make my way back. Compared to other clubs, very friendly and getting money’s worth.

Was a lot better then previous karate club experience. People should give it a try, nice people, talented members. Good for kids and adults. If you want to try something new, get in some exercise this is a good option. Also the manners needed in training is very good for teaching kids respect and determination.

I am very familiar with this club and the instructors as trained with them for multiple years.

Classes are boring due to a lack of creativity and variety. Laziness is promoted from certain senior black belts who turn up to get their mark but don’t actually train. The instructor is blindly arrogant to the fact that this martial arts is a hobby and people train for their own reasons… so many talented students have left the club because of this. I would not recommend this club to anyone.

My child has settled in very well and their confidence is developing steadily. The instructors are great with the kids and very patient. I would recommend this club to anyone of any age.

I joined this club a couple of months ago and am thoroughly enjoying training in a friendly atmosphere. The instructors are first class and very patient with me as I find some of the techniques difficult. The other black belts and students are very helpful and friendly too.

I have read some of the comments on this site and find them hard to believe, but everyone has their own opinion and that's fine with me.

The classes are reasonably priced for a 2 hour session and my fitness is improving steadily. I would recommend this club to anyone who wants to learn a traditional martial art.

Used to take classes here before a work injury. They tried to help me stay in the club, it just wasn’t going to happen. But nice members, good value for money and only expectations is for you to have fun, enjoy it and be respectful to your fellow members.

Terrible instructors who speak to students (especially children like dirt), will not be taking my child back.

Uses threatening language towards other students in the case however some “students” are allowed to not participate, stand talking, turn up late etc.

we won’t be returning.

The instructor, for as much as he talks the talk… can’t really perform to what his belt suggests. There’s a clear lack of creativity in the club with no variation from class to class. Granted, there are a lot of talented people in the club who are fantastic at what they do but they certainly outshine the man at the front of the class, both physically and technically who you would expect to be at the top of their game.

After experiencing the wider world of martial arts and training at multiple clubs, this instructor certainly isn’t one to go back to.

Good club, helpful instructors, fun classes and great members. My children were intimidated at first, but everyone was very welcoming and helpful. There is a variety of ages and people in the club, it is for everyone. My children love the classes, especially tiny tigers. I'm glad there are adults and teenagers in the class, as well as children, gives role models for my children. They look up to the black belts and want to be like them one day, I hope so they can.

Heard about the club from family member. Little worried what it might be like as I have never done a contact sport before. The family and more experienced members were very welcoming. Even the younger black belts seem well knowledges and experienced. They had me do simple moves at first but allowed me to get involved in more regular work after a few lessons. The kids there seem to really enjoy the club and it’s family friendly. I was worried about the cost upkeep, but compared to other hobbies you could have it is fairly cheap. I was surprised to find out the family that run the club do not profit from it, all class fees goes towards renting the hall to keep the club open. My daughter became very interested and joined, she looks up to all the black belts, especially the female black belts and even the coloured belts. I’m glad she has good role models there and is doing something different. The black belts say how much they enjoy the club and the activities they do outside of training and try to find time for training around their daily lives. I’m very happy with my experience.

During my time at the club, it was apparent that the only people to benefit from the club were the people at the top and their subsequent ‘click’. Any other people were shunned. People with genuine talent who would go far in the association were held back as potential threats to the instructors. .. Holding people back from reaching their full potential while the instructors get all the glory and are praised for their so called ‘hard work’.

£5 for a class which starts 15 minutes late and 10 minutes early! The 'head family' seems to think that there isn't anything else in life other than this karate and if you don't show the same level of dedication then you don't suit! Think these lot need to realise that this is a hobby and people should train how they want to without feeling pressured. The instructors are only in it for themselves and bend their own rules to suit. Laziness is rewarded in this club. The club is full of a lot of talented and hard working students who don't get the support they may need from time to time.

The chief instructor comes across as a dictator rather than a leader. .. with no obvious leadership skills. He used his position to bully and intimidate students. The club favourites their own family members and clearly has its own ‘in crowd’. Unfortunately, it’s the students that make this club what it is. .. not the instructor.

excellent training in a relaxed family atmosphere, led by knowledgeable and skilled instructors.