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Martial Arts Grand Traverse
4.6 ★★★★★ 54 Google reviews · Taekwondo school in Traverse City, Michigan
Style / system: ATA / Songahm — 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
- Kids & teens classes kids and teens taekwondo classes (ages 3–12) — 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 martialartsgrandtraverse.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (231) 933-4744
Hours
| Monday | 5–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 4–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 5–9:30 PM |
| Thursday | 4–8 PM |
| Friday | 5:30–8:30 PM |
| Saturday | 8:30 AM–12 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“Blackmer works so well with children - she is patient, kind, encouraging, and nurturing, while also teaching the importance of respecting yourself, others, and the practice.”
“My four children, ages 4, 7, 13 and 15 have been training with Master Pline since 2012 and we all absolutely love it!”
“It was fun to see these skills blossom in my son into the confident teen he is today.”
“The belt testing ceremonies are both precious and impressive as we observe the various belt levels within the school.”
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What students say
“Honor, respect and self control are taught and demonstrated in a manner that children of all ages can understand and relate to.”
“The three of us continue in our training and as a family we continue to improve as a family from the positive training we receive from Master Pline as his team of instructors.”
“The training goes way beyond learning the forms and techniques of ATA, it helps with anything from conditioning to behavioral challenges.”
“Would highly recommend this class for anyone who would like for their family/kids a sense of purpose, confidence, discipline, and a great workout to boot!”
“This is the BEST activity I have found for my child. My child's respect for adults has improved so drastically!”
“In addition to flexible scheduling options ATA offers supplimental programs and their communication is 5 stars.”
From the reviews
Martial Arts Grand Traverse is an enriching and exciting experience for my child each week. Master Blackmer is pretty spectacular overall. She is an excellent teacher- always strong and encouraging with her students.
My family has been going to ATA for two years. It is an amazing experience for myself and my kids. We are a busy family and have a very busy schedule. Grace (owner) has been so understanding and has worked with my kids and made extra arrangements to help my son keep up with class. Truly, an amazing experience.
Traverse City ATA is a safe, fun learning environment where children thrive! My four children, ages 4, 7, 13 and 15 have been training with Master Pline since 2012 and we all absolutely love it! Every class provides a great physical workout and fabulous mental exercise.
This is the BEST activity I have found for my child. My child's respect for adults has improved so drastically! Mrs. Blackmer is patient and kind with everyone. Which makes her the perfect instructor for any child! I seriously don't know how she is always so calm with everything! But she is!
New to taekwondo? Start at Martial Arts Grand Traverse
Martial Arts Grand Traverse 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 Martial Arts Grand Traverse
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.
More taekwondo schools near Traverse City
Seung-ni Traverse City Martial Arts & Kickboxing Academy
5 ★★★★★ 239 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site