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Music City Martial Arts

5 ★★★★★ 37 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in Nashville, Tennessee

Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons Fitness classes Fight team New

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
  • 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 4) — 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
  • Fitness & conditioning muay thai fitness and cardio classes — a serious workout you can do without ever having to spar
  • Sparring & clinch sparring and clinch sessions for members ready for controlled contact — always optional and coach-supervised
  • Fight team a competition team for members who want to test themselves as amateur fighters
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule musiccitymartialarts.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 615-615-6262

Hours

Monday 5 am–7 pm
Tuesday 5 am–7:30 pm
Wednesday 5 am–7:30 pm
Thursday 5 am–8 pm
Friday 5 am–6:30 pm
Saturday 8:30 am–1 pm
Sunday Closed

Hours shift for holidays, seminars, and open-gym times — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

Muay thai classes on the schedule at Music City Martial Arts, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🌱 Beginner Muay Thai 6 mentions

“It’s a place where beginners feel comfortable, experienced practitioners continue to grow, and visitors are welcomed like part of the team.”

All gyms that run beginner muay thai →

🏆 Fight Team 4 mentions

“I have been a student of Shawn Hammonds in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for over 8 years, and throughout that time I've had the opportunity to train, compete, and progress at a high level.”

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📘 Fundamentals 2 mentions

“That dedication to fundamentals, discipline, and high-level instruction created a formula for success that has stood the test of time.”

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🛡️ Self-Defense 2 mentions

“Whether you're looking to learn self-defense, improve your fitness, compete, or simply be part of a great group of people, I highly recommend Music City Martial Arts.”

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🧒 Kids Muay Thai

“Especially from a kids class perspective.”

All gyms that run kids muay thai →

Other martial arts here

Muay thai gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at Music City Martial Arts — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🥊 Boxing 2 mentions

“I began here with BJJ but have been participating in the newer boxing and Judo programs, getting out of my comfort zone, and having a blast.”

Other gyms that also teach boxing →

🥋 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) 13 mentions

“I have been a student of Shawn Hammonds in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for over 8 years, and throughout that time I've had the opportunity to train, compete, and progress at a high level.”

Other gyms that also teach brazilian jiu-jitsu (bjj) →

🏟️ MMA 2 mentions

“Music City Martial Arts consistently provides an outstanding environment for learning and growth in BJJ, Boxing, MMA, and fitness.”

Other gyms that also teach mma →

🤼 Judo

“I began here with BJJ but have been participating in the newer boxing and Judo programs, getting out of my comfort zone, and having a blast.”

Other gyms that also teach judo →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the gym's own info — they show what members have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want BJJ, boxing, or MMA alongside muay thai, confirm the current schedule with the gym.

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 37 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, authentic coaching 5 mentions

“It is the perfect combination of community atmosphere, excellent instruction, friendly people, and high-level Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 11 mentions

“The atmosphere is welcoming, respectful, and supportive, making it a great place for both beginners and experienced practitioners.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly gym 13 mentions

“It is the perfect combination of community atmosphere, excellent instruction, friendly people, and high-level Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.”

📘 real technique & fundamentals 4 mentions

“That dedication to fundamentals, discipline, and high-level instruction created a formula for success that has stood the test of time.”

🔥 killer workout & conditioning 2 mentions

“If you’re new, you’ll find yourself completely sweaty, worn out, and with new confidence from the beginning.”

🥊 legit sparring & fight team 8 mentions

“I have been a student of Shawn Hammonds in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for over 8 years, and throughout that time I've had the opportunity to train, compete, and progress at a high level.”

From the reviews

I have been a student of Shawn Hammonds in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for over 8 years, and throughout that time I've had the opportunity to train, compete, and progress at a high level. Music City Martial Arts consistently provides an outstanding environment for learning and growth in BJJ, Boxing, MMA, and fitness.

★★★★★ — John, Jun 2026

Music City Martial Arts / Team Shawn Hammonds traces its roots back to 2001, when Ed Clay brought Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Luiz Palhares from Brazil to teach at Nashville MMA. Ed’s vision was to build a dominant martial arts academy in Middle Tennessee and throughout the Southeast.

★★★★★ — Sean, Jun 2026

I can’t say enough good things about Music City Martial Arts. In a city full of martial arts and jiu jitsu schools, this place stands out for its instruction, facility, and overall atmosphere. The coaches are knowledgeable, welcoming, and genuinely invested in helping people improve.

★★★★★ — Russell, Jun 2026

Music City Martial Arts is a phenomenal gym! I primarily train in Jiu-Jitsu, and the instruction is truly top-notch. The coaches are knowledgeable, supportive, and committed to helping students of all skill levels improve.

★★★★★ — Michael, Jun 2026

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 37 reviews →

New to muay thai? Start at Music City Martial Arts

Music City Martial Arts 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.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first muay thai class at Music City Martial Arts

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 when you call. 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.

Muay thai is a contact sport. Ease in, listen to your coaches, 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 Music City Martial Arts

2909 Armory Dr, Nashville, TN37204

Get directions Instagram

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this gym? Claim your listing — it's free.