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Ankeny Martial Arts

4.8 ★★★★★ 39 Google reviews · Taekwondo school in Ankeny, Iowa

Beginners welcome Kids & teens Competition team

Martial arts studio offering classes for children and adults in tae kwon do and hapkido.

Plan your first class

  • Kids & teens classes kids and teens taekwondo classes — built around discipline, focus, confidence, and anti-bully skills
  • Beginner-friendly all ages and levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
  • Competition & demo team a competition and demonstration team for students who want to test themselves at tournaments and events
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule ankenymartialarts.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 515-314-0298

Hours

Monday 9 am–9 pm
Tuesday 9 am–9 pm
Wednesday 9 am–9 pm
Thursday 9 am–9 pm
Friday 9 am–6 pm
Saturday 9 am–4 pm
Sunday Closed

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

The classes they run

Taekwondo classes on the schedule at Ankeny Martial Arts, confirmed in students' own reviews and the school's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Taekwondo 31 mentions

“It's heartwarming to watch as they teach the kids and how the kids respond, watching them as they help teach younger kids and even this older adult with respect and fun!”

All schools that run kids taekwondo →

🎬 Demo Team

“He's even a part of the demo team, which showcases the incredible skill and discipline these instructors are able to instill within their students.”

All schools that run demo team →

🛡️ Self-Defense 6 mentions

“Very knowledgeable in the field with up to date real life real world tactics that I feel will be very useful.”

All schools that run self-defense →

Other martial arts here

Taekwondo schools are often multi-discipline. Here's what else students mention training under the same roof at Ankeny Martial Arts — mined from their reviews and the school's own info.

🥷 Hapkido 2 mentions

“I chose the art of Hapkido.”

Other schools that also teach hapkido →

🛡️ Self-Defense 5 mentions

“More than just self defense My daughter started through the Ankeny Parks and Rec program.”

Other schools that also teach self-defense →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the school's own info — they show what students have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want hapkido, karate, or judo alongside your taekwondo, confirm the current schedule with the school.

What students say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 39 Google reviews — in their own words.

expert masters & instructors 2 mentions

“Deaver, the instructor, is knowledgeable in both Hapkido and Tae Kwon Do.”

🤝 friendly, family atmosphere 7 mentions

“He has been a part of this community for four years now and has become a true leader among the youth here.”

📘 strong forms & technique 2 mentions

“They don't just teach martial arts techniques, they instill values of respect, discipline, and resilience that will serve their students for a lifetime.”

🧒 strong kids program 9 mentions

“My daughter has learned patience, focus, confidence, being calm, being respectful, and it has strengthened her memory and muscles and improved her endurance.”

🧼 clean, well-kept dojang 4 mentions

“We were amazed that it was hosted by an accomplished martial arts family in a nice facility specially designed for teaching the craft.”

🧠 builds confidence & discipline 14 mentions

“They teach not only the Art of Tae Kown Do but how to live by the tenants of Tae Kwon Do: Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self Control, and Indomitable Spirit.”

From the reviews

A couple of years ago my adult daughter and I wanted to take tae kwon do together, so I looked at local businesses. I couldn't have picked a better place. What I like the most is that they are not the get in your face, regimented type of place.

★★★★★ — Shelley, Oct 2017

As a father and 3 sons we are greatly enjoying our time in traditional Taekwondo class as it has been great to learn self defense and also be active, gaining muscle flexibility and just being there for each other as a dad and his boys. Mr. and Mrs.

★★★★★ — Sarah, Jun 2023

AMA Is a great academy. The instructors are nice and helpful. Promotion is relatively easy if you come enough and care to learn. I even met some new friends here! Would definitely recommend this academy to friends and family.

★★★★★ — D., Jan 2019

More than just self defense My daughter started through the Ankeny Parks and Rec program. We expected it to be someone with little experience herding children in a community building. It wasn’t.

★★★★★ — Brian, Nov 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 39 reviews →

New to taekwondo? Start at Ankeny Martial Arts

Ankeny Martial Arts comes up as a beginner-friendly school, going by their listing and students’ reviews. If you've never trained or set foot in a dojang, 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 instructors scale the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard sparring — reputable schools build fundamentals (stances, blocks, kicks, and basic forms) for weeks, sparring eases in gradually and with gear on, and instructors keep it controlled and safe. Third, all ages and all levels 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 schools 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 taekwondo class at Ankeny Martial Arts

Nervous about walking into a taekwondo school for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good instructors expect 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, and kicks with a partner or on pads — not hard sparring. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: loose athletic wear you can move in (or a dobok if you have one); you'll train barefoot on the floor. What to bring: water and a positive attitude — many schools lend a loaner dobok for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll get your own dobok and belt, and sparring gear (mouthguard, headgear, and guards) once you begin sparring. Sparring eases in gradually, once your fundamentals and forms are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the instructor. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.

Taekwondo is a martial art and a contact sport. Ease in, 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 Ankeny Martial Arts

1928 SW 3rd St, Ankeny, IA50023

Get directions

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