HomeIowaAmes › Furious Fox Sword & Defense

Furious Fox Sword & Defense

5 ★★★★★ 7 Google reviews · Taekwondo school in Ames, Iowa

Taekwondo school Beginners welcome

Plan your first class

  • Beginner-friendly all ages and levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule furiousfoxmartialarts.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 515-659-0467

Hours

Monday Closed
Tuesday 8–9 am, 4–5 pm
Wednesday Closed
Thursday 8–9 am, 4–6 pm
Friday Closed
Saturday 8–10 am
Sunday Closed

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

Other martial arts here

Taekwondo schools are often multi-discipline. Here's what else students mention training under the same roof at Furious Fox Sword & Defense — mined from their reviews and the school's own info.

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 7 Google reviews — in their own words.

expert masters & instructors 6 mentions

“Master Wathen is knowledgeable, patient, and passionate about teaching sword techniques.”

certified & recognized school 3 mentions

“Master Wathen is knowledgeable, patient, and passionate about teaching sword techniques.”

From the reviews

🗡️ Furious Fox Sword & Defense is an exceptional martial arts academy! The Haidong Gumdo program is both dynamic and exotic, providing a safe and engaging experience for students. Master Wathen is knowledgeable, patient, and passionate about teaching sword techniques.

★★★★★ — Nick, Jul 2024

I highly recommend Furious Fox's Sword & Defense classes. Master Wathen's knowledge and experience consistently exceed my expectations. The classes themselves are fun, educational, and lively, as well as being a great workout!

★★★★★ — Mark, Jul 2024

Very experienced instructor with vast experience that shines through during classes. Mr. Wathen makes it fun and challenging, while maintaining authenticity and correctness. Be prepared to work hard and be challenged!

★★★★★ — Brian, Jul 2024

Master Wathen is a great instructor, very knowledgeable and personable. Top quality gumdo instruction, and great for anyone interested in learning the sword.

★★★★★ — Ryan, Feb 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 7 reviews →

New to taekwondo? Start at Furious Fox Sword & Defense

Furious Fox Sword & Defense 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 Furious Fox Sword & Defense

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 Furious Fox Sword & Defense

320 S 17th St Room 207, Ames, IA50010

Get directions

More taekwondo schools near Ames

Ames Parks & Recreation - Taekwondo

5 ★★★★★ 6 reviews

1500 Gateway Hills Park Dr, Ames, IA

Taekwondo school Beginners welcome Kids & teens Competition team friendly, family atmospherestrong forms & techniquecompetition & tournament success

1.7 miles away

Spirit Taekwondo

5 ★★★★★ 6 reviews

1975 N Ankeny Blvd Ste 110, Ankeny, IA

Taekwondo school Kids & teens friendly, family atmosphere

17.9 miles away

Ankeny Martial Arts

4.8 ★★★★★ 39 reviews

1928 SW 3rd St, Ankeny, IA

Taekwondo school Beginners welcome Kids & teens Competition team expert masters & instructorsfriendly, family atmospherestrong forms & technique

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

19.0 miles away

All taekwondo schools in Ames, IA →

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.