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Worthington Martial Arts Institute

4.7 ★★★★★ 47 Google reviews · Taekwondo school in Columbus, Ohio

Taekwondo school Free trial Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens

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 4–12) — 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
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule worthingtontkd.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (614) 840-9400

Hours

Monday Closed
Tuesday 10 AM–8:30 PM
Wednesday 10 AM–8 PM
Thursday 10 AM–8 PM
Friday 10 AM–8 PM
Saturday 9 AM–12:30 PM
Sunday Closed

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 Worthington Martial Arts Institute, confirmed in students' own reviews and the school's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Taekwondo 30 mentions

“I am so thankful that this wonderful place has come into my sons lives and that they are able to have these instructors help them to grow mentally and physically.”

All schools that run kids taekwondo →

🐲 Little Dragons

“Our Son Greyson started attending Worthington Martial Arts as a little tiger when he was 4 years old.”

All schools that run little dragons →

Other martial arts here

Taekwondo schools are often multi-discipline. Here's what else students mention training under the same roof at Worthington Martial Arts Institute — mined from their reviews and the school's own info.

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 47 Google reviews — in their own words.

🤝 friendly, family atmosphere 4 mentions

“We are so thankful to have signed up for a trial class and found a community at WMAI.”

📘 strong forms & technique 2 mentions

“I highly recommend WMAI if you or your child are looking for a martial arts school that goes beyond technique and builds leaders.”

🧒 strong kids program 4 mentions

“Kids will get out of it what they put into it, but I have seen a big difference in my sons' ability to focus and work with a more positive mental attitude.”

certified & recognized school 19 mentions

“Not only do you get physically fit and learn amazing martial arts skills, Grandmaster Scarborough and Master Stephanie teach you discipline, patience, focus and more.”

🧠 builds confidence & discipline 29 mentions

“Along with the benefits of being physically active, WMAI also helps to instill valuable life lessons such as integrity, courtesy, compassion, confidence and focus.”

From the reviews

Our Son Greyson started attending Worthington Martial Arts as a little tiger when he was 4 years old. He is now 8 and still absolutely loves it! Grandmaster Mike, Master Stephanie, and staff have been so valuable to our son as mentors. Not only by preparing him physically, but mentally as well. They are all incredible!

★★★★★ — Alexander, Jun 2022

My two oldest sons (12 and 10 as of writing this review) are students at WMAI and I am proud of that fact. Grandmaster Scarbrough, Master Stephanie and their supporting team of instructors do a great job of helping kids reach their potential by helping them set and achieve goals while getting great physical and mental…

★★★★★ — Cameron, Feb 2022

Good to keep kids active, fit. I do see the difference in my son right from second session. Rules he recalls Everytime and the first rule did influence him. Reply Yes Sir/Madam Respect each other .... The Masters are caring.

★★★★★ — Sumanth, Sep 2018

My son and I had separate goals when starting at WMAI. I wanted him to become more self-confident - he wanted to become a ninja. We've been taking classes for 6 months now and the changes I've seen in my 5-year-old have been INCREDIBLE.

★★★★★ — Whitney, Dec 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 47 reviews →

New to taekwondo? Start at Worthington Martial Arts Institute

Worthington Martial Arts Institute 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.

See their beginner class info

Your first taekwondo class at Worthington Martial Arts Institute

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 Worthington Martial Arts Institute

983 Worthington Woods Loop Rd, Columbus, OH43085

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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.