We are the premier Taekwondo school in East Texas, committed to your excellence.
We have served the East Texas area for over 15 years.
Founded in June 2006 by Matt Bares, Bares Taekwondo Fitness started with a simple goal: to build strong leaders and a tight knit community through the practice of martial arts. While our goal remains the same, our instructors continue to develop their skills and expertise to accomplish this goal. We know that the physical demands of Taekwondo help develop fitness that will be beneficial in all areas of life, while the mental demands of Taekwondo build strong memory, critical thinking skills, and problem solving that can be used in everyday situations. We have seen the positive effects of Taekwondo help individuals live fuller lives, and that is why we believe everyone should take part in it.
The Tenets of Taekwondo
What is Taekwondo?
Taekwondo is a Korean martial art that includes blocks, kicks, punches, grabs, throws, and other unique techniques. Taekwondo is often recognized for its fast and flashy kicks. The key elements of Taekwondo are forms, sparring, and board breaking. Forms are sets of arranged techniques that focus on body control and memorization, sparring applies techniques learned in class against a live opponent, while board breaking is a display of power and precision. During our class sessions we practice the elements of Taekwondo in a formal and organized environment. In the process of training from white belt to black belt, a student gains the discipline, determination, courage, and confidence to face many of the challenges life may bring.
Meet the Instructors
Matt Bares
Matt Bares was introduced to taekwondo by his wife in 1991 and was an instant fanatic. By 1993 he was a chief instructor of a school in Lumberton Texas. In ‘99 the family moved to Tyler Texas to begin building their own school. After building a strong core student base at the Vineyard Church, Matt expanded and opened Bares TaeKwonDo Fitness in 2007.
Since then, he and his son Race Bares have spear headed the family business into one of the most trusted and loved fitness facilities in the community; where Matt teaches not just self defense and hand-to-hand combat, but more importantly, how to have self control, integrity, and perseverance - what he would say are the true qualities of a black belt.
Race Bares
Race Bares started his TaeKwonDo training in 2000 at the age of 3. He trained non-stop until recieving his first black belt and recieved his 4th degree black belt 9 years later. He began teaching at the age of 12 and leading classes at 15. While training and teaching, Race studied to earn his degree in kinesiology. After graduating, Race got certified by the NSCA as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist so he could incorporate sound strength and conditioning principals with fundamental Taekwondo training.
