Traditional Martial Arts Schools in Akron, OH

12 of the 21 martial arts schools we list in Akron have traditional styles. A basic map listing can't tell you whether a "martial arts" result teaches lineage-based traditional forms like karate, taekwondo, or kung fu, or runs a modern fitness-kickboxing class under the same label. Every school on this page has its traditional style confirmed from its own website or class listings, not inferred from the business name.

Akron Kung Fu Academy Karate / taekwondo

1155 S Canton Rd, Akron, OH 44312

+13306970398 Website Directions

American Karate Academy Karate / taekwondo

739 N Main St, Akron, OH 44310-3044

+18666148156 Website Directions

Asian Sun Martial Arts of Green Kids classesMuay thai / kickboxingKarate / taekwondo

3333 Massillon Rd, Akron, OH 44312

(330) 899-1850 Website Directions

Choi's Tae Kwon DO Institute Karate / taekwondo

632 Canton Rd, Akron, OH 44312-2524

+13307843422 Website Directions

David Ames Karate LLC Karate / taekwondo

335 E Cuyahoga Falls Ave, Akron, OH 44310

(330) 257-7178 Website Directions

Josho Academy of Martial Arts Karate / taekwondo

335 E Cuyahoga Falls Ave, Akron, OH 44310-2250

+13308014935 Website Directions

KwanMuZenDoKai Martial Arts Academy LLC Karate / taekwondo

335 E Cuyahoga Falls Ave, Akron, OH 44310-2250

+13309284800 Website Directions

Ninth Light Dojo Karate / taekwondo

1351 S Cleveland Massillon Rd, Akron, OH 44321

+13304749198 Directions

Sikaron Karate Academy Karate / taekwondo

1322 Copley Rd, Akron, OH 44320-2651

+13307015493 Directions

The Academy of Self-Defense Kids classesBJJ / grapplingMuay thai / kickboxingKarate / taekwondoMMA

1220 E Tallmadge Ave, Akron, OH 44310-3648

+13308145058 Website Directions

White Birch Tai Chi at The Hub Community Center Kids classesBJJ / grapplingMuay thai / kickboxingKarate / taekwondoMMA

3676 Copley Rd, Akron, OH 44321

+13303295990 Website Directions

Zahand's Martial Arts Kids classesBJJ / grapplingKarate / taekwondo

1576 Akron Peninsula Rd, Akron, OH 44313-7987

🕒 Mon 4pm-9:30pm, Tue 4pm-9:30pm, Wed 4pm-10pm, Thu 3:15pm-9:30pm, Fri 4:15pm-10:30pm, Sat 9:30am-2:30pm

+13309262001 Website Directions

Ask exactly which style and lineage the school teaches before your first class. "Traditional" covers very different systems — striking-focused styles like karate and taekwondo, grappling-focused styles like judo and aikido, and internal styles like tai chi — so the right fit depends on what you actually want to train.

Also in Akron

Traditional Martial Arts Schools near Akron

Good to know

What's the difference between traditional and modern martial arts schools?
Traditional schools generally follow a set curriculum tied to a specific style's history, forms, and belt-ranking system, often with added emphasis on etiquette and philosophy. Modern or hybrid schools tend to blend techniques from multiple styles or focus more narrowly on fitness or competition.

How long does it take to get a black belt in a traditional martial art?
Most traditional styles take about 3-5 years of consistent training to reach black belt, though the exact timeline varies by style, school, and how often a student trains. A school that awards black belts much faster than that is generally worth a closer look before signing up.