At Chung TKD in New Hyde Park, Black Belt Club is a multi-year membership for current students who have made black belt their goal. Members train in a club class of their own, separate from the regular classes and built around the road to black belt. The student and the family make the commitment together, for several years at a time.
Chung TKD teaches Tae Kwon Do, a Korean martial art also written taekwondo, to children ages 2 to 13, in three programs by age: Pee-Wee, Children and Youth. Grandmaster Howard Chung, 9th Dan, has taught Tae Kwon Do since 1970 and opened the school in 1984. This guide is by Master Chris J. Chung, 5th-degree black belt.
Who can join Black Belt Club?
Current students who have made black belt their goal. The club class is for all ages, and current students can ask an instructor about joining. A new family starts with two free trial classes in one of the three programs by age, and the club comes later, once a child is a current student.
Is Black Belt Club for students who already have a black belt?
No. Black Belt Club is for students training toward black belt, and its goal is the black belt test. After black belt, the path keeps going. For some black belts, the Masters Club follows, with leadership training by invitation.
How is the club class different from regular classes?
It is a class of its own, separate from the regular classes and built around the road to black belt. Children and Youth classes are grouped by belt and age, while the club class is for all ages. Members also get some perks. Our classes page shows the whole path, from Pee-Wee to the Masters Club.
What is the goal of Black Belt Club?
The black belt test. Black belt tests are big events at Chung TKD, and the school's past black belts come back for them. Grandmaster Chung runs every belt test, the school's instructors demonstrate, and families have a seat and watch. Students learn the ITF forms, called hyung, through the color belts, and Kwang-Gae and Koryo are the black belt forms. Our guide to the belt colors in order shows the belts on the way.
How long do members commit?
Several years at a time. The school goes over the membership with each family in person. Joining does not set a date for the black belt. A child earns each belt by performing correctly, and below brown belt a child tests when their instructors say they are ready. From brown belt on, tests are on set dates. Our guide to how stripes work explains how a child shows progress between tests.
What should we talk over as a family before joining?
Black Belt Club is a commitment the student and the family make together. Talk these five questions over first, each with Chung TKD's answer.
- Is black belt our child's own goal? The club is for students who have made black belt their goal.
- Are we ready to commit for several years? Members commit for several years at a time, and the family commits with the student.
- What does the club add? A club class of its own, built around the road to black belt, and some perks. Ask an instructor which perks come with the club.
- How does membership work? The school goes over membership with each family in person.
- What is the goal at the end? The black belt test, one of the school's big events, with Grandmaster Chung running the test and families watching.
Our guide to choosing a martial arts school has more questions to ask any school.
Where is Chung TKD?
Chung TKD is at 1527 Jericho Turnpike, New Hyde Park, NY 11040.
How do we get started?
Start with the two free trial classes. A parent or guardian stays for both, and kids wear something comfortable, sweats or shorts. Our guide to a first Tae Kwon Do class walks through the visit. Book a free class online.
Questions parents ask
What is Black Belt Club at Chung TKD?
A multi-year membership for current students who have made black belt their goal, with a club class of its own, separate from the regular classes.
Who can join Black Belt Club?
Current students who have made black belt their goal. The club class is for all ages.
Is Black Belt Club for black belts?
No. It is for students training toward black belt. For some black belts, the Masters Club follows, with leadership training by invitation.
How long do Black Belt Club members commit?
Several years at a time. The student and the family make the commitment together.
Can a new student join Black Belt Club?
Not at first. Black Belt Club is for current students, and a new family starts with two free trial classes in one of the three programs by age.
How do we start at Chung TKD?
With two free trial classes. A parent or guardian stays for both.