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Guardian Institute of Martial Arts
5 ★★★★★ 13 Google reviews · Taekwondo school in Marion, Iowa
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
- Kids & teens classes kids and teens taekwondo classes (ages 4–9) — 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
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule imaguardian.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (319) 382-8965
Hours
| Monday | 4:30–7:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 4:30–7:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 4:30–7:30 PM |
| Thursday | 4:30–7:30 PM |
| Friday | 4:30–7:30 PM |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“The classes provide a great balance of technical training, practical self-defense, and physical conditioning.”
“My daughter started in the fall of 2024 and she by nature is not athletic or coordinated at all.”
Other martial arts here
“The classes provide a great balance of technical training, practical self-defense, and physical conditioning.”
What students say
“Master Sebers has a great dojang, where he offers a variety of classes for all interests and ages.”
“Whether you're a beginner or an experienced martial artist, I highly recommend Guardian Institute of Martial Arts.”
“The new owners are very welcoming and make the students feel like they are a part of the family!”
“The classes provide a great balance of technical training, practical self-defense, and physical conditioning.”
“Master Sebers has a great dojang, where he offers a variety of classes for all interests and ages.”
From the reviews
As a black belt, I've trained at several martial arts schools and came to Guardian Institute of Martial Arts with high expectations. What impressed me most was the quality of instruction and positive training environment. The instructors are knowledgeable, professional, and invested in helping students improve.
Master Bruce has been doing this a long long time. I was a student in the late 90s and early 2000s. Not only was it a great work out for the mind and body, but I learned about work ethic and many life lessons along the way
My grandkids both love this place and the Tae Kwon Do . Very intense workout, family oriented ,everyone helps everyone .
My daughter started in the fall of 2024 and she by nature is not athletic or coordinated at all. And physical activity is a no go. However taekwondo at Guardian Institute is the one thing she has really stuck with and is eager to put forth effort to try her hardest.
New to taekwondo? Start at Guardian Institute of Martial Arts
Guardian Institute of Martial Arts 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.
Your first taekwondo class at Guardian Institute of Martial Arts
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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