Traditional Martial Arts Schools in Des Moines, IA

10 of the 23 martial arts schools we list in Des Moines have traditional styles. A basic map listing can't tell you whether a "martial arts" result teaches lineage-based traditional forms like karate, taekwondo, or kung fu, or runs a modern fitness-kickboxing class under the same label. Every school on this page has its traditional style confirmed from its own website or class listings, not inferred from the business name.

Aiki Spirit-Iowa Kids classesKarate / taekwondo

2017 Southlawn Dr, Des Moines, IA 50315-4900

🕒 Sat 11:00 am - 12:30 pm

Website Directions

Barongan Martial Arts Academy Karate / taekwondoMMA

1111 E Army Post Rd, Des Moines, IA 50315-2605

+15152850067 Website Directions

Bishops Elite Martial Arts Academy Kids classesKarate / taekwondo

2706 Beaver Ave, Des Moines, IA 50310-3990

+15158580455 Website Directions

Breese Family Tae Kwon Do Karate / taekwondo

3800 Merle Hay Rd Ste 955, Des Moines, IA 50310

5152822040 Directions

Breese Family Tae-Kwon-DO & Fitness Center Karate / taekwondo

2006 Indianola Ave, Des Moines, IA 50315-1554

+15152433258 Directions

Eagle Claw Kung Fu and Tai Chi Karate / taekwondo

2318 60th St, Des Moines, IA 50322

(515) 556-5129 Website Directions

Jeun's Institute of Tae Kwon Do Karate / taekwondo

606 E Army Post Rd, Des Moines, IA 50315-5900

+15152877196 Website Directions

Karate Do Shito Kai Des Moines Kids classesKarate / taekwondo

315 E 5th St, Des Moines, IA 50309-1916

🕒 Monday through Thursday 7:30 pm

+15153286465 Website Directions

South Y Taekwondo Karate / taekwondo

401 E Army Post Rd, Des Moines, IA 50315-5827

+15153211463 Directions

Traditional Karate Academy Kids classesKarate / taekwondo

4105 E 38th St, Des Moines, IA 50317-8960

🕒 Tuesday & Thursday, 5:00 - 5:45 pm

+15153437746 Website Directions

Ask exactly which style and lineage the school teaches before your first class. "Traditional" covers very different systems — striking-focused styles like karate and taekwondo, grappling-focused styles like judo and aikido, and internal styles like tai chi — so the right fit depends on what you actually want to train.

Also in Des Moines

Traditional Martial Arts Schools near Des Moines

Good to know

What's the difference between traditional and modern martial arts schools?
Traditional schools generally follow a set curriculum tied to a specific style's history, forms, and belt-ranking system, often with added emphasis on etiquette and philosophy. Modern or hybrid schools tend to blend techniques from multiple styles or focus more narrowly on fitness or competition.

How long does it take to get a black belt in a traditional martial art?
Most traditional styles take about 3-5 years of consistent training to reach black belt, though the exact timeline varies by style, school, and how often a student trains. A school that awards black belts much faster than that is generally worth a closer look before signing up.