Two Rivers Martial Arts
About
Two Rivers Martial Arts offers training in MMA and karate across multiple branches in the Des Moines area, including Hub, Indianola, Carlisle, Winterset, Clive/West Des Moines, and Waukee locations. The gym is led by a large team of dedicated instructors, many of whom hold high dan black belt rankings, such as Steve Gonzalez (8th Dan) and Bryan Siever (7th Dan) at the Hub Branch, and Roger Netsch (7th Dan) overseeing Indianola and Winterset. Instructors like Jennifer Bailey and Kendall Bailey lead the Clive/West Des Moines and Waukee branches, providing experienced guidance across disciplines that include Taekwondo and Kobudo. The coaching approach emphasizes detailed technique instruction, discipline, confidence, and personal growth, with a service oriented mindset that prioritizes student development over business interests.
reviewsWhat Members Say
Members praise the highly professional, patient, and dedicated instructors who teach techniques in great detail while focusing on discipline, confidence, and personal growth. They appreciate the service oriented mindset, noting that instructors genuinely care about students and operate more like volunteers than businesspeople. Specific highlights include the ability to train with children, the flexibility to attend classes at multiple branches, and the positive environment where students form friendships and enjoy belt testing. Reviewers consistently recommend the gym for its supportive culture and quality instruction, with many describing it as life changing.
rate_reviewGoogle Reviews (3)
Eswari Karthikeyan
a month ago
My daughter has been attending Two Rivers Martial Arts for over four years, and the experience has been truly outstanding. The instructors are highly professional, patient, and dedicated. They teach every technique in great detail and focus on discipline, confidence, and personal growth. What I appreciate most is that they operate with a service‑oriented mindset rather than a business‑oriented one. They genuinely care about the students and their progress. I highly recommend this place for any child interested in learning Taekwondo in a positive and supportive environment.
Josh Heward
a month ago
Two Rivers Martial Arts has been great for our Son! He has met so many friends while learning really good skills from his instructors! We are so happy with Two Rivers Martial Arts in Waukee! My Son love attending on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, he wants to go early and work on skills, and he loves to test for his new belts! Thanks again Two Rivers Martial Arts!!
Felipe Prada
a month ago
If you’re looking for a martial arts school in Waukee, I can’t recommend Two Rivers Martial Arts enough. I’ve been training here for the past three years, and what started as a trial class quickly turned into a long-term commitment — I never left. About a year ago, my son joined me, and it’s been an incredible experience to share this journey together. I practiced Taekwondo when I was younger, and coming back to it has been both nostalgic and rewarding. Not only have I been able to refresh what I learned years ago, but I’ve also grown beyond where I left off — I’m now at a higher belt than I ever achieved before. That says a lot about the quality of instruction and encouragement here. The instructors are truly dedicated — and the fact that they are all volunteers speaks volumes about their passion and commitment. They genuinely care about each student’s progress. I also really appreciate the flexibility of being able to attend classes at other branches on different days and times, which makes it much easier to stay consistent. What stands out most is the school’s history and how it shapes the culture. The values of the organization are not just words — you can see the tenets of Taekwondo being consistently practiced and reinforced in every class. If you’re considering giving it a try, take the trial class. It might just become a life-changing decision like it was for me.
paymentsMembership
$25/mo
scheduleHours
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 6:30 – 7:30 PM
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: 6:30 – 7:30 PM
Friday: Closed
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
groupCoaches & Instructors
Jennie Mitchell
Instructor (Hub Branch)
3rd Dan Black Belt
Current Treasurer of TRMA Board of Directors.
Brian Anderson
Instructor (Indianola Branch)
5th Dan Black Belt
Master. Began training 2003. Former Secretary of the Board.
Steve Gonzalez
Primary Instructor (Hub Branch)
8th Dan Black Belt
Grandmaster. Started training mid-1980s. Director of annual Pil Sung tournament. Former President/Vice President of TRMA Board.
Don McDonald
Instructor (Carlisle Branch)
3rd Dan Black Belt
Former member of TRMA Board of Directors.
Makenna Konkol
Instructor (Winterset Branch)
4th Dan Black Belt
Current President of TRMA Board of Directors.
Bryan Siever
Primary Instructor (Hub Branch)
7th Dan Black Belt
Master. Began training 1993. Member of TRMA Board, former President and Secretary.
Jennifer Bailey
Primary Instructor (Clive/West Des Moines & Waukee Branches)
5th Dan Black Belt
Master. Began training 2008. Current Vice-President of TRMA Board, former President/VP/Secretary.
Madison McVay
Instructor (Winterset Branch)
3rd Dan Black Belt
Brad Kramer
Primary Instructor (Hub Branch)
5th Dan Black Belt
Master. Former President of TRMA Board of Directors.
Kendall Bailey
Primary Instructor (Clive/West Des Moines & Waukee Branches)
4th Dan Black Belt
Began training 2010. Manages IT for TRMA. Current Board member, former Treasurer.
Lance Kinseth
Martial Spirit Instructor (Hub Branch)
Black Belt
Began training 1983. Over 45 years experience in Taekwondo, Kumdo, Jodo. Teaches integrated martial arts class.
Doug Whitehead
Instructor (Clive/West Des Moines Branch)
3rd Dan Black Belt
Serves on TRMA Board. Former President, Secretary, and Vice President.
Rochelle Douglass
Primary Instructor (Hub Branch)
4th Dan Black Belt
Began training 2005. Former Vice-President of TRMA Board.
Venkat Gupta
Instructor (Clive/West Des Moines Branch)
1st Dan Black Belt
Current Board member, former Secretary.
Dave Nelson
Instructor (Hub Branch)
4th Dan Black Belt
Started with Two Rivers in 2010.
Roger Netsch
Primary Instructor (Indianola & Winterset Branches)
7th Dan Black Belt
Master. Former President and Vice President of TRMA Board.
John Hornback
Kobudo Instructor / Black Belt Youth Group Instructor (Hub Branch)
3rd Dan Black Belt (Taekwondo & Kobudo)
Began training 2009. Teaches Okinawan weapons class. Past Board member.
Lucy Kingsbury
Instructor (Indianola Branch)
5th Dan Black Belt
Master.
Matt Mitchell
Instructor (Hub Branch)
2nd Dan Black Belt
Started training in 2014.
Vickie Hornback
Primary Instructor (Carlisle Branch)
3rd Dan Black Belt (Taekwondo & Kobudo)
Began training 2009. Also instructs Black Belt Youth Group. Former Secretary/Vice-President of Board.
Jim McNamara
Primary Instructor (Waukee Branch)
1st Dan Black Belt
Began training 2022. Current member of TRMA Board of Directors.
Bryce Wilbur
Instructor (Indianola Branch)
3rd Dan Black Belt
Former member of TRMA Board of Directors.