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Hero Athletics
5 ★★★★★ 44 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in Knoxville, Tennessee
Functional fitness center offering jiu jitsu, kickboxing, and self-defense training, plus personal training.
Plan your first class
- Free trial or intro class most gyms welcome new members with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
- Drop-ins drop-ins run around $75 — many gyms also offer monthly memberships and a discounted first session, so ask about new-member rates
- Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
- Kids & youth classes kids and youth muay thai classes (ages 3–7) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- Private lessons private, one-on-one coaching available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
- Fight team a competition team for members who want to test themselves as amateur fighters
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule heroathleticsknoxville.com — book classes and see the live schedule
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
The classes they run
“), personal training, nutrition plans, new/well maintained equipment, and a built-in family that is ready to help you reach your goals, whatever they may be.”
“Come let this local mma fighter, personal trainer, all around great person help you become your own super hero!”
“I learned about self defense and have become a stronger woman physically and mentally because of her!”
Other martial arts here
“There’s not enough stars to tell you how awesome the environment and people are Ken- awesome instructor and friendly loved his kickboxing class!”
“Whether you want to get in shape or get better at jiu jitsu this is the place to go in Knoxville!”
“Come let this local mma fighter, personal trainer, all around great person help you become your own super hero!”
“It's the absolute best place to learn how to wrestle,the instructor there is amazing and so I will definitely be back!”
What members say
“But there's a definite add when there's a welcoming atmosphere with people who actually want to be there, work hard, and enjoy it.”
“), personal training, nutrition plans, new/well maintained equipment, and a built-in family that is ready to help you reach your goals, whatever they may be.”
“Come let this local mma fighter, personal trainer, all around great person help you become your own super hero!”
“Do not be your own barrier to success because you’ve had bad experiences with traditional gyms.”
From the reviews
The most inclusive gym I have ever experienced! No toxic culture here. I feel welcome and comfortable asking questions of any of the coaches or other members. The membership fee is well worth all the individual attention I get from the extremely competent staff.
This is the most welcoming and inviting gym I have ever been to. Shamir and the other trainers are great with showing you the right way to do the movements and are incredibly patient as you learn.
Let me tell you about this place…. There’s not enough stars to tell you how awesome the environment and people are Ken- awesome instructor and friendly loved his kickboxing class! Shamir- love love love her BJJ classes she’s awesome, friendly, and so strong! Very inspiring!
Shamir is a fantastic personal trainer! Never makes anyone feel bad about themselves and always helps clients reach their goals! We are just her clients, but her family! She devotes time to creating a plan for you and communicates with you regularly.
New to muay thai? Start at Hero Athletics
Hero Athletics comes up as a beginner-friendly gym — noted on their own site. If you've never thrown a punch or a kick, 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 to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and coaches scale the conditioning to you. Second, you won't be thrown into sparring — reputable gyms build fundamentals (stance, footwork, and the basic strikes of the "art of eight limbs") for weeks before any contact, and sparring stays optional. Third, 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 gyms are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.
Your first muay thai class at Hero Athletics
Nervous about walking into a muay thai gym for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good coaches 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 the basics on pads and bags — not fighting. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: shorts or athletic wear and a t-shirt; you'll train barefoot on the mats. What to bring: water and hand wraps if you have them — many gyms lend gloves for a first class, so it's worth asking. As you keep training you'll add your own gloves, wraps, a mouthguard, and shin guards. Sparring is optional and comes later, once your fundamentals are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the coach. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.
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