The School
One instructor, one room, and a very long game.
Ironwood Martial Arts opened its doors in November 2023. Since then more than 300 people have come through them.
Mission
Why we’re here.
“Our mission is to serve our community by spreading the valuable life skills necessary for personal growth through the instruction of traditional martial arts.”
We are committed to our students’ success, and believe that martial arts training is a positive life experience that has something to offer everyone. Whether it is physical fitness, self-defense, or character development, we are dedicated to helping you reach your goals and will be here on every step of the journey.
More than punching and kicking, Ironwood understands the importance of developing the whole person. Our character development program is built to help students grow as people — empathy, confidence, discipline — so they are equipped for whatever life throws at them.
Owner & Chief Instructor
Mr. Adam Bugala
당수도 · 3rd Dan, WTSDA
He started the way a lot of our students start: his parents signed him up to help him manage his temper.
That was 2009. He earned his 1st Degree Black Belt in the fall of 2014, his 2nd Degree in the spring of 2017, and tested for his 3rd Degree in the spring of 2020. Along the way he graduated Fenton High School, spent time at Oakland University — where a professor introduced him to Tai Chi Chuan — and trained as an electrician, holding onto weekend martial arts training the whole time with one goal in mind.
In November 2023 he opened Ironwood.
“Our brand is traditional martial arts, which, while incredible in terms of physical development, it is the character development that I am most passionate about. I would not be the person I am today were it not for martial arts, and I think the best thing I can offer as an instructor is helping my students develop into confident, empathetic, and genuinely good people.”
He runs the studio himself — the classes, the paperwork, the enrollment, the taxes. His senior student now volunteers as an assistant instructor, and the parents help keep the place standing.
What we teach
Traditional Tang Soo Do.
A Korean striking art with deep roots and a formal curriculum. Three things make up almost every class.
Hyung — forms
Set sequences of technique, practiced alone and refined for years. Hyung is where precision lives, and it is the backbone of every rank test in the association.
Self-defense
Joint locks, releases, arm bars and escapes, drilled with a partner at a speed where both people stay safe and both people actually learn something.
Non-contact sparring
Controlled, supervised, and scored on control rather than damage. It teaches distance, timing and composure without anyone going home hurt.
Lineage
Where the belt comes from.
A black belt is only worth what the organization behind it is worth.
Ironwood is a certified studio of the World Tang Soo Do Association, listed in its official studio directory. We sit in Region 5, which covers Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin under Regional Director Master Jeff Wheeler of Flint.
Every year our black belts spend a weekend at the Region 5 Black Belt Camp refining their Tang Soo Do — the 2026 camp theme was Ryun Ma, “Polish Your Skills.” Ranks tested at Ironwood are association ranks, recognized at any WTSDA studio in the world.
Reviews
What students say.
“I am thrilled to write this and even happier to have found Mr. Bugala. I have been through a lot in the last couple of years and have been wanting to get involved in martial arts to help gain confidence, discipline, and learn. This has exceeded my expectations. I know that this is the right place for me, I have been so happy to have found Ironwood Martial Arts. Mr. Bugala is so patient and kind and awesome, I can’t express enough gratitude for helping me find my spark. This place is amazing!”Faith A.
“I have trained with Mr. Bugala and was taken aback by his passion to the art of Tang Soo Do. He is very thorough, practices continuously, and is dedicated to accuracy and details while demonstrating these qualities to his students. He loves to learn different venues of the art while also sharing his finding with others. There is much compassion to the art and many others have come to love. It was indeed a blessing that our paths cross. He has given and taught me a lot. Anyone who trains with him will see the respect he gives and will receive great guidance and training!”Angela G.
“Mr. Bugala is an absolutely incredible instructor! He has serious skills, knowledge, and a passion to teach. He’s always patient and encouraging, and always pushes you to do your best. I’ve learned so much from him, and cannot recommend him enough. If you’re interested in martial arts, you should definitely give him a try!”Michael B.
“I’ve trained with Adam for about 5 years now. He’s a great instructor, keeps the class entertaining with new stuff, good with kids, and has an eye for the little details.”Jeremy Z.
Start here
Come stand on the mat with us.
Your first class is free — no uniform, no experience, no pressure. Wear something comfortable, bring water, and we’ll take care of the rest.