Tyler Smith, 12, of Mars competes during board breaking at a recent Young Brothers Tae Kwon-Do Institute tournament in Pittsburgh. Students are judged on technique, difficulty of the break, number of boards and how many attempts are needed.

CRANBERRY TWP — Standing barefoot in their white uniforms, a small group warms up for a workout at Young Brothers Tae Kwon-Do Institute.

Like many people who work out together, the group stretches and chats as they wait for the class to begin. But the similarities end there.

Rather than lift weights or run on a treadmill, this small group of black belts is there to kick and punch.

They are just a few of the many tae kwon-do students who study at the school along Route 19 at Rowan Road under Master Robert Zang, a sixth-degree black belt and seven-time U.S. Open champion who teaches the Korean martial art to students of all ages and skill levels.

For some the sport is a recreational one that helps them to shape and tone, but for others it's fiercely competitive.

Starting in tae kwon-do at the age of 4, Young Brothers third-degree black belt Mike Sybert, 17, of Middlesex Township, a student at Mars High School, has competed at the regional, national and world levels.

His biggest accomplishments have been the silver medal at the International Tae Kwon-Do Federation Junior World Championships in Italy several years ago and two silver medals at the World Tae Kwon-Do Alliance Championships in Las Vegas last summer."Competing is where you get to test your skills," the Mars junior said. "You get to show what you've got."I love to compete."But not all students compete at that level. Master Zang said Young Brothers also has inter-school tournaments for students, allowing them to hone their skills on a smaller stage."Win or lose, it's a positive experience," he said.No matter the level, Zang said the goal of tae kwon-do is the same for everyone. "We try to teach them to be a better person," he said.To do that, Zang said Young Brothers teaches control and modesty along with the martial art skills."Without those, it just becomes organized fighting, which we don't want to teach," he said.Like many martial arts schools, Zang and the Young Brothers school stress the importance of the tenets of tae kwon-do: courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, indomitable spirit and modesty.Respect is also a key aspect of the martial art, he said, adding that students bow to one another."Respect is lacking in today's society," he said.<BR>

Master Zang said people are attracted to the martial arts for a variety of reasons, ranging from a method of exercise to interest sparked by movies and video games.For Steve Sybert of Middlesex Township, who didn't start taking tae kwon-do classes until he was 42, the martial art was a way to get back into shape.With his wife, Donna, and son Mike — presently also third-degree black belts — already taking classes, Sybert enrolled at the school as a New Year's resolution.Nine years later, he's accomplished that goal and is preparing for a new one: he'll be testing this year for his fourth-degree black belt.But Sybert admitted he never expected to achieve as much as he has. He just kept attending class after class."Before I knew it nine years had passed, and now I'm getting ready to test for master," he said.The classes — along with a better diet — helped Sybert, now 51, lose 30 pounds and he now finds himself in great shape for his age."I feel as strong as I've ever felt," he said.Sybert, who attends classes with his family — daughter Jeanna, 11, is a second-degree black belt — said tae kwon-do is a good family activity."It's something we can all do together," he said.Dan Greenler of Marshall Township said he started tae kwon-do after having shoulder surgery. He wanted to get his two sons involved in an activity while working to improve his shoulder's mobility.<BR>

Four years later, he has earned his black belt and his daughter has started taking classes as well.Greenler added that the camaraderie of the classes helped him continue to hone his skills.Robert Matchett of Jackson Township said he started tae kwon-do as a challenge after he retired as the band director at Seneca Valley High School.Trying to stay fit in retirement, he said he sometimes also goes to the gym after his martial arts classes. But he said his own workouts don't compare to Master Zang's."Believe me, going to the gym is a piece of cake after one of these workouts," Matchett said.Even some members of the Pittsburgh Steelers, looking for a way to prepare for the gridiron, have taken tae kwon-do classes with Young Brothers, Master Zang said.But the martial art still proved difficult, even for the professional athletes."They were struggling," he said.

Jeanna Sybert, 11, a student at Mars Elementary School, executes a palm strike while competing in a tournament recently in Pittsburgh.

Daniel Popp, 7, of Cranberry and his instructor, Master Robert Zang, celebrate a successful showing at a recent tournament.

Justice Bigler, 9, of Butler uses a palm strike to breaking a board during a recent tournament.