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Great Lakes Global Tae Kwon Do

5 ★★★★★ 23 Google reviews · Taekwondo school in Sylvania, Ohio

Taekwondo school Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons Competition team

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

  • Kids & teens classes kids and teens taekwondo classes — 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
  • Private lessons private, one-on-one instruction available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
  • Competition & demo team a competition and demonstration team for students who want to test themselves at tournaments and events
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule sylvaniataekwondo.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 419-882-9934

Hours

Monday 6:30–7:30 pm
Tuesday 6–8:30 pm
Wednesday 6–7 pm
Thursday 4:45–8:30 pm
Friday Closed
Saturday Closed
Sunday 5–6 pm

Hours shift for holidays, belt tests, and tournaments — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

Taekwondo classes on the schedule at Great Lakes Global Tae Kwon Do, confirmed in students' own reviews and the school's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Taekwondo 4 mentions

“My son, Nicalos, started at GLG Tae Kwon Do a couple of years ago & we couldn't be happier with our choice.”

All schools that run kids taekwondo →

👤 Private Lessons

“Did private lessons so students could keep training online and made videos for us to practice our material.”

All schools that run private lessons →

🛡️ Self-Defense 5 mentions

“Whether you just want to get in shape or learn some self defense, or whether you want to train for international level competition - GLG offers what you need.”

All schools that run self-defense →

Other martial arts here

Taekwondo schools are often multi-discipline. Here's what else students mention training under the same roof at Great Lakes Global Tae Kwon Do — mined from their reviews and the school's own info.

🛡️ Self-Defense 5 mentions

“Whether you just want to get in shape or learn some self defense, or whether you want to train for international level competition - GLG offers what you need.”

Other schools that also teach self-defense →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the school's own info — they show what students have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want hapkido, karate, or judo alongside your taekwondo, confirm the current schedule with the school.

What students say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 23 Google reviews — in their own words.

🌱 welcoming to beginners 6 mentions

“Her teaching degree & many years of experience mentoring students is evident from the very first class.”

🤝 friendly, family atmosphere 3 mentions

“My son, Nicalos, has matured and developed skills for life during his classes at GLG Tae Kwon Do where every child and family is welcomed.”

competition & tournament success 7 mentions

“Great Lakes Global teaches legitimate and internationally recognized Taekwon-Do.”

certified & recognized school 4 mentions

“She has a bachelors degree in Education and has been studying taekwondo for over 20 years and is currently a 6th Degree Black Belt.”

🧠 builds confidence & discipline 2 mentions

From the reviews

I've trained in martial arts for about 25 years now, and can thus say I am picky about where I go. Great Lakes Global teaches legitimate and internationally recognized Taekwon-Do.

★★★★★ — Cora, Oct 2021

I have been studying Taekwon-do for many years and have found my home with Great Lakes Global Taekwon-do. Master Van Zile and the other instructors are top notch and very knowledgeable. I would recommend GLGT to anyone looking for the best in Taekwon-do training.

★★★★★ — Brian, Oct 2021

My son, Nicalos, started at GLG Tae Kwon Do a couple of years ago & we couldn't be happier with our choice. Mrs. Van Zile puts her heart & soul into her students. Her teaching degree & many years of experience mentoring students is evident from the very first class.

★★★★★ — Cynthia, Jun 2014

This is the best taekwondo school in NW Ohio. If anyone is looking for a real martial artist to teach them than Mrs Carol VanZile fits the bill. She has a bachelors degree in Education and has been studying taekwondo for over 20 years and is currently a 6th Degree Black Belt.

★★★★★ — Jennifer, Sep 2015

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 23 reviews →

New to taekwondo? Start at Great Lakes Global Tae Kwon Do

Great Lakes Global Tae Kwon Do comes up as a beginner-friendly school, going by their listing and students’ reviews. 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.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first taekwondo class at Great Lakes Global Tae Kwon Do

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.

Taekwondo is a martial art and a contact sport. Ease in, listen to your instructors, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find Great Lakes Global Tae Kwon Do

5630 Balfour Rd, Sylvania, OH43560

Get directions

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and student reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this school? Claim your listing — it's free.