True Martial Arts was founded in 1982, and is one of the biggest and longest-running Martial Arts schools in the State of Washington We are conveniently located behind the Pine Lake Shopping Center next to Columbia Athletic Club. We offer Martial Arts training for youth ages 5-12, teens, adults, families, persons with special needs and youth ages 5 and under.
TMA's founder, the late Thomas Zoppi developed a passion for martial arts by training and achieving 2nd degree Black Belt at Choi Karate Institute of Los Angeles in the 1970's. In 1982, Mr. Zoppi, along with his wife Laurel, and their children moved to Bellevue, and had to leave his training in Los Angeles with SBN Dan Di Vito at Choi Karate Institute behind.
TMA's founder, the late Thomas Zoppi developed a passion for martial arts by training and achieving 2nd degree Black Belt at Choi Karate Institute of Los Angeles in the 1970's. In 1982, Mr. Zoppi, along with his wife Laurel, and their children moved to Bellevue, and had to leave his training in Los Angeles with SBN Dan Di Vito at Choi Karate Institute behind.
Services
Thursday: Veteran's Day, classes will be OPEN. Friday: TMA Night Out from 4:30 - 8:30 PM. There will be training, progress made towards the next rank, games, and Pizza dinner provided. All youth and teen students are invited to participate. TRIAL MEMBERSHIP 6 Weeks + Uniform for $60 Claim your trial membership by e-mailing info@truemartialarts.com.
Our school teaches Tae Kwon Do, Arnis, and Self Defense. Collectively taught, each are complimentary to one another and contributes to developing a proficient and well-rounded Martial Artist. Tae Kwon Do is a Korean martial art famous for its long, deep stances and its head-height kicks, jumping and spinning kicks.
Our school teaches Tae Kwon Do, Arnis, and Self Defense. Collectively taught, each are complimentary to one another and contributes to developing a proficient and well-rounded Martial Artist. Arnis, also known as Kali or Escrima, is the national self defense martial art of the Philippines that emphasizes weapon-based fighting.
Our school teaches Tae Kwon Do, Arnis, and Self Defense. Collectively taught, each are complimentary to one another and contributes to developing a proficient and well-rounded Martial Artist. Traditional styles of Martial Arts have long been regional and taught in purity, with little variation. But as cultures of the world became blended, so too did Martial Arts.
We understand every child is unique and grows at different rates. We've seen it all, so no matter your concern we've got a plan for it. With over 40 years' experience of training youth, generations of Seattle's Eastside-area kids have worked their way through our program, and there is nothing better than seeing them grow firsthand.
Reviews (21)
Veera Kotha
Jun 28, 2021
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Both of my kids are currently training at True Martial Arts. My son has been training at True Martial Arts for over 5 years and my daughter has started recently. The school is teamed with great staff and never had an issue in these last 5 years with scheduling and event registration. Glad to see that this quality service paired with good communication has been maintained throughout the years. The instructors here care for their students, and by joining the school you are opening yourself to a great martial arts community. If you are looking for a martial arts school to join, I would strongly recommend
Akshat Prachi
Jun 27, 2021
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I am thrilled to provide a glowing review for True Martial Arts. Both my children have been attending for the past two years, including some camps. TMA has been a positive and wonderful experience for them. I appreciate TMA’s emphasis on leadership and teamwork. They have a special way of getting the kids to feel welcome and strong! They’re structured and have fun with it. My younger one often feels intimidated when transitioning from one class to another (or on his first day of summer camp), and TMA instructors worked with him until he was comfortable. We are grateful for having such an awesome
Ranga N.
Jun 26, 2021
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Tony Schwartz
Feb 03, 2021
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Positive: Communication, Professionalism, Quality, Value
Angie and Skyler, the owners, are great people. Skyler is no doubt highly qualified and an incredible instructor with a passion for both martial arts and teaching. I have no reservation in putting my gold stamp of approval on True Martial Arts - highly recommend.
Angie and Skyler, the owners, are great people. Skyler is no doubt highly qualified and an incredible instructor with a passion for both martial arts and teaching. I have no reservation in putting my gold stamp of approval on True Martial Arts - highly recommend.
Steven H.
Jan 21, 2021
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True Martial Arts has been one of the most important aspects of shaping the man I am today. Thirty three years ago a joined as a bratty 7 year old with no discipline. After thousands of pushups and other well earned opportunities for personal improvement, I achieved black belt and later 1st degree. I trained alongside Skylar and was trained by his parents. I can honestly say they were a 2nd family to me for more than 15 years. The traits that made TMA special in my era live on today with Skylar. While it has been many years since my formal martial arts training, I will never forget the life long
Tony S.
Jan 19, 2021
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Ashlee Laramie
Dec 11, 2020
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I got to witness Angie lead a young children’s class at True Martial Arts, and I was blown away by her teaching abilities! What I saw was her getting on the same level as each of the kids and communicating exactly what they needed to learn in a compassionate and energetic way. No question that Angie and the rest of the teachers here care so much about their students and are willing to do what it takes to teach them valuable skills for both martial arts and life in general.
Lisa Carskaden
Jul 06, 2020
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I can't say enough positive things about True Martial Arts Pine Lake. Both my kids and myself have gone through their programs (over a span of 10+ years) - it was not an easy path for us to achieve black belt, which I love because in return we've gained leadership, fitness, grit, self confidence, and a very supportive community. My now adult kids will often comment on how the Zoppi family and True Martial Arts have shaped them into who they are today. If you are thinking about signing up for one of their classes, DO IT! It's a year-round sport that is both mentally and physically beneficial AND
Karthik Palaniappan
Jul 03, 2020
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Very well run school and a tight knit community.
I began here at age 5 and earned my 2nd degree black belt over 11 years. Looking back 10 years later, it's obvious how important that training was to shaping who I am today. Beyond just learning techniques, martial arts improved my physical fitness and discipline, and was a good way to make friends.
The Zoppis are really dedicated to their family business. They are patient with slow learners (like me), provide honest feedback on your progress, and are always motivating students and instructors to perform their best.
I began here at age 5 and earned my 2nd degree black belt over 11 years. Looking back 10 years later, it's obvious how important that training was to shaping who I am today. Beyond just learning techniques, martial arts improved my physical fitness and discipline, and was a good way to make friends.
The Zoppis are really dedicated to their family business. They are patient with slow learners (like me), provide honest feedback on your progress, and are always motivating students and instructors to perform their best.
Eric Parker
Jun 01, 2020
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I spent 14 years training at this martial arts school. It was hugely impactful on me. Even though it's been 11 years since I actively trained and taught, many of the values have stuck with me throughout my life. I am a more emotionally balanced, physically fit and confident person because of my training at TMA. I'm so grateful to have had that kind of influence in my youth.
Julia Fredericks
Oct 21, 2019
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We had enrolled our son into a different Taekwondo program located elsewhere in the past, and ultimately, we didn’t feel like it was the right fit for us. I am truly grateful that we found True Martial Arts. The entire staff is so nice and very responsive. The instructors are extremely patient with the kids, they have excellent communication skills (which I think make them fantastic teachers), and they make it really fun for the kids. I have so much respect and admiration for all the instructors and staff members who give their time, attention, and energy to help others. My son loves coming to
Ramesh V.
Sep 10, 2019
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Atharva K.
Aug 22, 2019
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Doug T.
Mar 07, 2019
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After 8 years of my child attending judiciously on his own volition I can say that he achieved the rank of black belt. The studio is family run by two generations of a mother / son combo who I can easily say helped raise my child to the person he is today. It has helped with setting goals, respect, physical and mental discipline. The road to black belt was both physically and mentally a challenge. During the ceremony, the sentiment was echoed by a number of other achievers so my thoughts aren't just my own. One of the big bonuses is that as your child progresses, they may be given the
Jackie M.
Feb 24, 2019
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We have had such great experiences with True Martial Arts! They are the best. After a series of bad experiences at other places, I was beginning to lose hope of getting my son into a good tae Kwon do school! We drive 35 minutes to get here, passing about 4 other places along the way. Skylar and his instructors are awesome and they take their time to make sure all the students succeed.
Pros:
-Class Size: they keep a very reasonable amount of students per class and actually work with your child one-on-one.
-Instructors: Are some of the instructors "young"? Yes- but they are hard working
Pros:
-Class Size: they keep a very reasonable amount of students per class and actually work with your child one-on-one.
-Instructors: Are some of the instructors "young"? Yes- but they are hard working
Rebecca M.
Oct 13, 2018
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Both of my children have been training at TMA for 5 years now. I love that the school is a locally-owned family business. They teach and model responsibility and respect and students gain confidence as they move through the ranks. The instructors are also students at the school, something that impressed me the first time I went for a visit. I like that my children have the opportunity to become instructors. The self-defense techniques are realistic and effective. I feel confident knowing that my kids could defend themselves from a dangerous situation. I've watched both of my kids persevere
Smith E.
Oct 13, 2018
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It is not immediately expressed that the instructors for the class (at least for some of them, if not all) are taught by kids and that there really isn't an adult overseeing the class except for some parents watching. There wasn't a lot of focus on form or discipline and more on hitting targets. Specifically, the child instructor kept repeating that if you hit the side of your opponent's head that would earn you two points. This certainly wasn't what I was expecting given all the other positive reviews.
Tony C.
Aug 13, 2018
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I highly suggest parents to rethink before signing up at this facility. Front desk lady is very rude and its all about money here no learning....
On the other side TMA in Redmond is very nice and friendly ....by just talking with this facility you can tell the difference. I ended up signing my kids at TMA redmond and very happy with my decision.
On the other side TMA in Redmond is very nice and friendly ....by just talking with this facility you can tell the difference. I ended up signing my kids at TMA redmond and very happy with my decision.
Roy T.
Feb 07, 2018
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Naina S.
Oct 22, 2014
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TMA is an awesome school. Both my son and daughter have trained there for 9 years. A school that truly lives by its mission. They truly help their martial artists build strong bodies, strong minds and character with a very valuable life skill of having a positive attitude to facing any situation in life. In addition to all this they teach self defensive art forms Taekwondo And Arnis. You will get so much back from the school that you would feel fortunate to have picked it. Wait till you see the huge community of students and families who train there. Great place to find some awesome friends
Mary-Pat B.
Apr 22, 2013
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