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C.K. Lee Taekwondo Academy
5 ★★★★★ 105 Google reviews · Taekwondo school in Upper Arlington, Ohio
Style / system: Olympic / World Taekwondo · Kukkiwon-certified — based on the school's own site and student reviews. Taekwondo systems (Olympic/World Taekwondo, ITF, and ATA/Songahm) differ in forms, sparring rules, and tournaments; if lineage matters to you, confirm it with the school. ATA vs WT vs ITF, explained →
Affiliated school — reviews and the school's own info point to a recognized taekwondo organization or franchise (think ATA Martial Arts, Kukkiwon certification, World Taekwondo, or ITF). If credentials matter to you, ask which association the school belongs to and where the head instructor earned their black-belt (dan) rank and certification.
Plan your first class
- Free trial or intro class most schools welcome new students with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
- Membership memberships run around $49/mo — many schools also offer a discounted first month and family plans, so ask about new-student rates
- Kids & teens classes kids and teens taekwondo classes (ages 4–13) — built around discipline, focus, confidence, and anti-bully skills
- Beginner-friendly all ages and levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
- Sparring sparring classes, from Olympic-style to point sparring — controlled, gear-on training that builds timing and confidence at your own pace
- Competition & demo team a competition and demonstration team for students who want to test themselves at tournaments and events
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule cktaekwondo.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (614) 459-8888
Hours
| Monday | 3–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 3–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 3–8 PM |
| Thursday | 3–8 PM |
| Friday | 3–8 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM–3 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“Although the kids need to work hard, and the work gets more challenging as they progress through higher belts, our son has a lot of fun and looks forward to going every week.”
Other martial arts here
What students say
“The values they teach are so important for boys and girls and Master Lee is an amazing instructor.”
“The instructors are wonderful with kids of all ages—whether it’s helping the smallest and shyest kids build confidence or challenging the older kids to keep growing.”
“They offer activities for the whole family to get involved (taekwondo showcase performance, family day cookout at the park, movie nights, etc).”
“My children love going and I travel an hour three times a week just so they can attend.”
“Master Lee’s competence, passion and dedication in and out of the dojang makes this academy a great place for kids to learn and grow!”
“Discipline, hard work, self-control, integrity and perseverance are at the forefront of everything that Master Lee does with the students.”
From the reviews
My children have been attending for 4 years now. I was searching for a respectful place that was true to the sport and authentic. Master Lee is phenomenal. He commands the respect of all the children and gets it effortlessly. He conveys his expectations of all the children from their home life to Taekwondo.
The best decision I could have made was to enroll my son in this place. The instructors are excellent, they have helped my son to feel more sure of himself, his attitude changed 100% in all places and in all circumstances. I am proud to see my son every day working to be a better version of him self.
I enrolled my 2 children (4 & 5 years) here. At first they were very shy. However, Master Lee were so patient with them and kept encouraging them. After few classes, they were so comfortable and always looking forward to go to the TKD class. I have found CK Lee team to be very kind, caring and supportive...
CK Lee Taekwondo has been a wonderful experience so far this year (2024). This has been a great opportunity for exercise, gross motor skills, socialization, and discipline for my 7 year old son.
New to taekwondo? Start at C.K. Lee Taekwondo Academy
C.K. Lee Taekwondo Academy comes up as a beginner-friendly school — noted on their own site. If you've never trained or set foot in a dojang, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or flexible to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and instructors scale the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard sparring — reputable schools build fundamentals (stances, blocks, kicks, and basic forms) for weeks, sparring eases in gradually and with gear on, and instructors keep it controlled and safe. Third, all ages and all levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or fundamentals class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out. Most schools are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.
Your first taekwondo class at C.K. Lee Taekwondo Academy
Nervous about walking into a taekwondo school for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good instructors expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling basic stances, blocks, and kicks with a partner or on pads — not hard sparring. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: loose athletic wear you can move in (or a dobok if you have one); you'll train barefoot on the floor. What to bring: water and a positive attitude — many schools lend a loaner dobok for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll get your own dobok and belt, and sparring gear (mouthguard, headgear, and guards) once you begin sparring. Sparring eases in gradually, once your fundamentals and forms are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the instructor. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.
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