Peak Martial Arts Tucson

Most people think the jump from forms straight into sparring is just “part of martial arts.”

We don’t believe in that.

At Peak Martial Arts Tucson, we use one-steps as a structured bridge between forms and sparring.

They’re memorized partner sequences that introduce real movement and interaction—without overwhelming beginners.

One-steps teach:
• Timing and distance
• Proper technique and targeting
• Flow and control
• How to read body language
• Confidence working with a partner

Instead of throwing people into sparring before they’re ready, we prepare them on purpose.

This approach is ideal for:
✔️ Brand-new students
✔️ Adults returning to martial arts
✔️ Experienced martial artists who value structure
✔️ Anyone training Gumdo / Kumdo alongside Taekwondo

If you’ve ever felt intimidated by sparring—or wished there was a smarter progression—this is how we do it.

Special thanks to Michael Baber!

👉 Book your FREE intro class here:
https://www.peakmartialartstucson.com

Train with confidence. Train with clarity. Train with purpose.

A lot of people think they need to prepare before starting martial arts.

They look up styles.
They study terminology.
They worry about rules, fitness, or “not knowing enough.”

Here’s the truth:
👉 You don’t need any of that to start.

The only real requirement is this: start at a reputable school and show up.
Everything else—confidence, conditioning, knowledge—comes from training, not before it.

If you’re in Tucson and you’ve ever been curious, this is your invitation to try Gumdo and Lightfencing with Peak Martial Arts ⚔️
Traditional Korean sword arts blended with modern combat sabers—beginner friendly, structured, and welcoming.

Stop researching.
Stop waiting for the “right time.”
Just start.

👇 Comment “START” if you’ve been thinking about martial arts but haven’t taken the first step yet.

ATA Grand Master Lee shares his thoughts on sticking to your new years goals

This is a big moment for ATA Gumdo.

At Spring Nationals, ATA HQ is officially unveiling sparring training — and for the first time ever, this material is being offered to general ATA members.

This is genuinely exciting for the ATA and for where Gumdo is headed. This is one of those moments where you can see the next chapter starting to take shape.

If you’re attending Nationals, I strongly encourage you to be present for the ATA Gumdo testing on Wednesday evening. Even if you’re not testing yourself, seeing the technique, the detail, and the progression is worth a look if you haven’t seen it before.

Then on Thursday afternoon, you’ve got a choice:
you can attend the ATA MAX Sword seminar, or the ATA Gumdo sword sparring seminar. Both are solid options — just make the choice intentionally and show up ready to learn.

One practical note: if you plan on attending the sparring seminar, forearm guards are strongly recommended. Talk with your instructor ahead of time about approved gear and sourcing. If they’d like recommendations, they’re welcome to reach out to me directly, or connect with another member of the ATA Gumdo program.

I’m really looking forward to seeing people enjoy this material!

Ever hear someone call the sword itself "a Gumdo”? 😅
Let’s clear that up:
“Gumdo” is the martial art, not the weapon!

In the video, I break down the names of the different swords we use:
⚔️ Mokgum or Mockum – the wooden sword we start with.
⚔️ Kakgum or Kakum – the blunt aluminum sword for forms and demonstrations.
⚔️ Kyukgum or Kyuckum – the sparring sword, used for contact drills.

And here’s a question for you, black belts:
❓What’s a Jinkum, and when do we use it in Gumdo?

Think of it like this: In Taekwondo, there’s no move called “a Taekwondo.”
So in Gumdo, there’s no sword called “a Gumdo.” 💡

Let’s keep sharing and growing our knowledge — it honors our art and helps others use the right terminology.

👇 Drop your answer about the Jinkum in the comments — I’ll shout out the first correct one!