Train Like
a ChampionFeel at Home
Grandmaster Craig Balliette — one of only 5 non-Korean certified Grandmasters of Taekwondo in the world — invites you and your family to join our academy. Authentic. Traditional. No contracts.
Our Programs
From age 5 to adult, beginner to advanced. Every class personally taught by Grandmaster Craig. No contracts — pay month to month.
Taekwondo
The Korean art of self-defense. A way of life building physical strength, mental discipline, and philosophical depth.
All Ages & Levels
Hapkido
Korean self-defense employing joint-locks, grappling and throwing techniques for real-world situations.
Self-Defense
Kids Martial Arts
Training children as young as 5. Building discipline, confidence, and respect from an early age.
Ages 5 & Up
Adult Martial Arts
All ages and skill levels welcome. Whether beginner or advanced, we'll push you to new heights.
All Skill Levels
Family Martial Arts
Train together, grow together. Practicing martial arts as a family creates lasting bonds and shared purpose.
Train TogetherThe Real
Deal
No belt factories. No watered-down standards. Grandmaster Craig maintains the authentic traditional requirements that most modern schools have quietly abandoned.
World-Recognized Grandmaster
One of only 5 non-Korean certified Grandmasters of Taekwondo worldwide, with 44 years of full-time teaching. Personally teaches every single class.
No Contracts — Ever
Pay month by month. No lock-ins, no hidden fees. Your commitment is to the art, not the paperwork.
Authentic Black Belt Standards
A black belt takes at least 4 years of uninterrupted training. We teach traditional forms most schools no longer practice.
All Ages, All Levels
Ages 5 to adult, complete beginners to advanced students. Transfer students from other schools warmly welcomed.
Try It Before
You Commit
Experience Grandmaster Craig's teaching personally before you decide to join. We'll cover basics, self-defense, philosophy of the art, and the belt system.
What Families Say
Signed both of my daughters up last July. I can't say enough about Lakewood Ranch Taekwondo. Master Craig is one of 5 Grandmasters and a 9th Degree Black Belt. He teaches by the book — very disciplined. If you're looking for someone to teach self-defense, discipline and respect, this is the place!
My 5-year-old daughter recently began and loves it! This isn't day care — it's a class for students dedicated to learning martial arts. Master Craig demands respect, runs a very structured class, and still teaches the traditional forms. There are NO contracts. You pay month by month.
My 2 homeschooled kids are rapidly learning their forms. Classes are serious, structured, disciplined and respectful. His school is part of the World Taekwondo Federation — Master Craig was taught by the original masters! We looked around for months until we found him.
My two children have been attending for over two years and love it. Students work very hard to earn their belts — it is NOT a "belt factory" nor is it day care. Kids here are serious about mastering Taekwondo. Master Craig is very disciplined and structured. This is the real deal!
About Us
Authentic, traditional martial arts — not a belt factory. Grandmaster Craig Balliette's 44 years of experience sets us apart.
Choosing the Right School
Finding a martial arts school is easy — finding a good school is difficult. "Belt Factories" give belts to students as long as tuition is paid, regardless of actual ability.
Lakewood Ranch Taekwondo Academy has not watered down or changed the traditional requirements for achieving a black belt. Receiving the coveted black belt takes at least 4 years of uninterrupted training.
About Taekwondo
Taekwondo is the Korean art of self-defense — much more than kicking and punching. It is a way of life which includes physical and mental discipline and a philosophy for living.
About Chang Moo Kwan
The Chang Moo Kwan is one of 12 Kwan systems — or houses — that form the collective art of Taekwondo. Each represents a specific style with its own techniques and forms.
The Chang Moo Kwan was founded by Supreme Grand Master Nam Suk Lee following the Korean War. It is in this style that Grandmaster Craig Balliette has trained for the majority of his life.
Growth & Honor
At Lakewood Ranch Taekwondo, our mission is to provide you with an authentic, traditional taekwondo experience that will benefit your life for many years to come.
Our Instructors
Certified, experienced black belt instructors committed to your authentic martial arts journey.
Craig Balliette
Founder of the Global TaeKwonDo Association and Master Instructor of numerous martial arts academies worldwide. One of only five non-Korean certified Grandmasters of Taekwondo in the world, with 44 years of full-time teaching experience.
Grand Master Craig opened his first TaeKwonDo Academy in the Washington D.C. area in 1980. He was selected to instruct the US Secret Service for President George W. Bush, the DEA and FBI agents from 1990–1998, before moving to Florida and opening Lakewood Ranch TaeKwonDo Academy in 1998.
Grandmaster Craig personally teaches every class, regardless of age or belt level.
Cindy Rhategan
Joey Sites
Mark Winstead
Roni O'Connor
Emma Crosbie
Our Schedule
All levels and ages welcome. Transfer students always accepted. Open weekdays starting at 4:15 PM.
| Day | Start Time | Class |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 4:15 PM | All Levels |
| Tuesday | 4:15 PM | All Levels |
| Wednesday | 4:15 PM | All Levels |
| Thursday | 4:15 PM | All Levels |
| Friday | 4:15 PM | All Levels |
* Contact the academy for the most current detailed schedule.
Our Gallery
Classes, tournaments, belt ceremonies, and milestones from Lakewood Ranch Taekwondo Academy.
Contact Us
Questions about getting started? Wondering which program is right for you? We'd love to hear from you.
Introductory Course
Experience Grandmaster Craig Balliette's teaching personally before you commit. One-on-one instruction — just $25.
One-on-One with
Grandmaster Craig
The purpose of our introductory course is to let you experience our program before you decide to join. We focus on basic punching, blocking, kicking, and practical self-defense. We also spend time discussing the philosophy of the art and the belt system.
Or call us: (941) 744-9767