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Martial Arts America

5 ★★★★★ 13 Google reviews · Taekwondo school in Ankeny, Iowa

Taekwondo school Free trial Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens

Affiliated school — reviews and the school's own info point to a recognized taekwondo organization or franchise (think ATA Martial Arts, Kukkiwon certification, World Taekwondo, or ITF). If credentials matter to you, ask which association the school belongs to and where the head instructor earned their black-belt (dan) rank and certification.

Plan your first class

  • Free trial or intro class most schools welcome new students with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
  • Membership memberships run around $30/mo — many schools also offer a discounted first month and family plans, so ask about new-student rates
  • 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
  • Poomsae & forms forms (poomsae) practice — the patterns at the heart of taekwondo and your belt testing
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule martialartsamerica.net — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 515-963-3494

Hours

Monday 12–7:30 pm
Tuesday 1–7:30 pm
Wednesday 4–7:30 pm
Thursday 1–7:30 pm
Friday 4–7:30 pm
Saturday 6–7 am, 10–11 am
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 Martial Arts America, confirmed in students' own reviews and the school's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Taekwondo 6 mentions

“The most affordable activity you'll find as you can go as many times a month as you want - plus they have a low, outstanding family rate so all the kids can go, plus parents!”

All schools that run kids taekwondo →

🐲 Little Dragons

“It is a friendly family environment that works with students of all skill levels from ages 4 years old and up.”

All schools that run little dragons →

🛡️ Self-Defense 4 mentions

“Great workout with the reward of learning self-defense, becoming confident, and being part of a family of really special people.”

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 Martial Arts America — mined from their reviews and the school's own info.

🛡️ Self-Defense 3 mentions

“Great workout with the reward of learning self-defense, becoming confident, and being part of a family of really special people.”

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 13 Google reviews — in their own words.

expert masters & instructors 2 mentions

“Excellent instructors who are very caring & patient with students.”

🤝 friendly, family atmosphere 6 mentions

“The most affordable activity you'll find as you can go as many times a month as you want - plus they have a low, outstanding family rate so all the kids can go, plus parents!”

🧠 builds confidence & discipline 3 mentions

“Very good opportunity for today's children to learn the tenets of taekwondo and be more disciplined.”

From the reviews

A great school of Taekwando. Kind knowledgeable instructors. I am happy to belong.

★★★★★ — Kimberli, Jul 2023

A great place to train. Instructors desire for you to succeed. Great workout with the reward of learning self-defense, becoming confident, and being part of a family of really special people. Never too old, I began at age 61 and have been training for 10 years and plan for many years to come.

★★★★★ — Jeri, Jan 2019

Well established martial arts school. Great place for children and adult to starts taekwondo. Very good opportunity for today's children to learn the tenets of taekwondo and be more disciplined. As a blackbelt in the 90s, would be great if this school offers more full contact classes.

★★★★★ — Mr., Aug 2024

All three of my daughters have had an incredible experience at Martial Arts America over the past three years. They have grown in strength, skill, and confidence. We are so grateful to MAA! I highly recommend it to anyone that is wanting to try Tae Kwon Do.

★★★★★ — Crysta, May 2026

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 13 reviews →

New to taekwondo? Start at Martial Arts America

Martial Arts America 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 Martial Arts America

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 Martial Arts America

621 S Ankeny Blvd, Ankeny, IA50023

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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.