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Jon Penny's Black Belt Academy

4.8 ★★★★★ 35 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Perrysburg, Ohio

Beginners welcome Kids & teens

Plan your first class

  • Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
  • Kids & youth classes kids and youth Karate classes — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Adult classes adult Karate classes — training built for grown-ups, from fitness and fundamentals to kumite (sparring) at your own pace
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule jpblackbelt.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 419-872-7599

Hours

Monday 9 am–8:30 pm
Tuesday 9 am–8:30 pm
Wednesday 9 am–8:30 pm
Thursday 9 am–8:30 pm
Friday 9 am–7 pm
Saturday 9 am–2 pm
Sunday 9 am–2 pm

Hours shift for holidays, belt tests, and seminars — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

Karate classes on the schedule at Jon Penny's Black Belt Academy, confirmed in students' own reviews and the dojo's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Karate 18 mentions

“My kids have attended for some time now and we couldn’t be happier with what they’ve learned and how good they’ve become at karate.”

All dojos that run kids karate →

🌱 Beginners 2 mentions

“This is the first time my son has been continually interested in anything and has been excited to attend different classes that are offered.”

All dojos that run beginners →

🛡️ Self-Defense 7 mentions

“My wife and I heard about the Academy several months ago when we attended one of your Quarterly self-defense sessions, and it was one of the best decisions we could have made.”

All dojos that run self-defense →

Other martial arts here

Karate dojos are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else students mention training under the same roof at Jon Penny's Black Belt Academy — mined from their reviews and the dojo's own info.

🛡️ Self-Defense 18 mentions

“My wife and I heard about the Academy several months ago when we attended one of your Quarterly self-defense sessions, and it was one of the best decisions we could have made.”

Other dojos that also teach self-defense →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the dojo's own info — they show what students have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want taekwondo, jiu-jitsu, or kickboxing alongside your Karate, confirm the current schedule with the dojo.

What students say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 35 Google reviews — in their own words.

🌱 welcoming to beginners 5 mentions

“This is the first time my son has been continually interested in anything and has been excited to attend different classes that are offered.”

friendly, respectful dojo 6 mentions

“He did not raise his voice even once, but all the kids were paying attention and being respectful of him and others and were also having lots of fun.”

strong technique, kata & fundamentals 5 mentions

“Krav is a means of self-defense/combat that utilizes techniques that are instinctive/natural responses.”

great workout & fitness 3 mentions

“Not only am I getting a great workout, I am also learning a life skill.”

🧒 strong kids program 2 mentions

“Seeing that my kids loved to go to JPBBA, I decided to try out the Krav Maga classes.”

💗 welcoming to women 4 mentions

“As a small structured female I was taught valuable skills within the Krav Maga school that came to my aid while on vacation.”

From the reviews

I took Jon's basic firearm/CPL class, in October 2013. I was a little nervous about taking a gun class, since I'd heard that a lot of gun classes didn't have women in them. I didn't want to end up in a class that was going to be macho, competitive, or intimidating.

★★★★★ — Lisa, Nov 2013

I trained at Jon Penny's Black Belt Academy for a while when living in Ohio. As a small structured female I was taught valuable skills within the Krav Maga school that came to my aid while on vacation.

★★★★★ — Laura, Jun 2013

My son has been taking lessons at Jon Penny's Black Belt Academy for almost a year. The experience and training he receives is wonderful. This is the first time my son has been continually interested in anything and has been excited to attend different classes that are offered.

★★★★★ — Jim, Dec 2013

I first heard about Jon Penny’s Black Belt Academy when my friend signed us up for a self defense class on what was supposed to be our Girls’ Day Out! Even though I had taken a similar self defense class elsewhere, I learned a lot in this class.

★★★★★ — Lee, Jun 2014

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 35 reviews →

New to Karate? Start at Jon Penny's Black Belt Academy

Jon Penny's Black Belt Academy comes up as a beginner-friendly dojo — noted on their own site. If you've never thrown a punch or set foot in a dojo, 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 the sensei scales the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard sparring — reputable dojos build fundamentals (stances, blocks, punches, and kicks) for weeks, and kumite (sparring) eases in gradually, with pads and control. Third, all levels and ages 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 dojos are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first Karate class at Jon Penny's Black Belt Academy

Nervous about walking into a Karate dojo for the first time? Almost everyone is, and a good sensei expects 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, punches, and kicks — not hard sparring. Step to the side whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: athletic wear you can move in (or a gi if you have one); you'll train barefoot. What to bring: water, and a mouthguard if you have one — many dojos lend a loaner gi for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gi and the belt your dojo awards you. Kumite (sparring) eases in gradually, once your fundamentals are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the sensei. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.

Karate is a contact sport. Ease in, train within your limits, 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 Jon Penny's Black Belt Academy

148 E South Boundary St Ste B, Perrysburg, OH43551

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this dojo? Claim your listing — it's free.