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The Academy

5 ★★★★★ 39 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in Goodlettsville, Tennessee

Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Fight team

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 4–14) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Fight team a competition team for members who want to test themselves as amateur fighters
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule theacademyofbjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (615) 945-6501

Hours

Monday 8 AM–8 PM
Tuesday 8 AM–8 PM
Wednesday 8 AM–8 PM
Thursday 8 AM–8 PM
Friday 8 AM–6 PM
Saturday 10 AM–12 PM
Sunday 2–4 PM

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 The Academy, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🌱 Beginner Muay Thai 2 mentions

“The instructors know what they are doing and their teaching style is very effective for beginners, or more experienced BJJ students.”

All gyms that run beginner muay thai →

🧒 Kids Muay Thai 5 mentions

“There are classes for kids and adults, striking classes as well as jiu jitsu/grappling, and cardio mma classes for folks who just want to get some exercise in with no contact.”

All gyms that run kids muay thai →

🛡️ Self-Defense 3 mentions

“Whether your goal is self defense or becoming a lifelong martial arts practitioner, I guarantee you The Academy's team of coaches will work with you to help you achieve your goals.”

All gyms that run self-defense →

🔓 Open Gym 2 mentions

“I Jason the owner of Academy through my coach when I moved to Nashville and I train with them some Sundays during open mat.”

All gyms that run open gym →

Other martial arts here

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

🥋 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) 11 mentions

“There are classes for kids and adults, striking classes as well as jiu jitsu/grappling, and cardio mma classes for folks who just want to get some exercise in with no contact.”

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

🏟️ MMA

“There are classes for kids and adults, striking classes as well as jiu jitsu/grappling, and cardio mma classes for folks who just want to get some exercise in with no contact.”

Other gyms that also teach mma →

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 39 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, authentic coaching 3 mentions

“Awesome gym, great instructor, friendly people, a very good place to train.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 5 mentions

“The instructors know what they are doing and their teaching style is very effective for beginners, or more experienced BJJ students.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly gym 14 mentions

“I had been training JiuJitsu for eight years when I arrived and was looking for a place that had exceptional instruction and a family friendly atmosphere.”

📘 real technique & fundamentals 3 mentions

“I felt very safe and lots of team members there were willing to help me with my technique.”

🥊 legit sparring & fight team 3 mentions

“If you are looking for a fighting family with a happy atmosphere, this is it.”

🧼 clean, well-equipped gym 4 mentions

“Went to a tournament here with my son, great facility staffed with very nice and knowledgeable people.”

From the reviews

I arrived at the Academy in 2016 after I had moved in from out of town. I had been training JiuJitsu for eight years when I arrived and was looking for a place that had exceptional instruction and a family friendly atmosphere. The academy exceeded my expectations in both of those areas.

★★★★★ — Gabe, Mar 2022

The Academy is a wonderful place for anyone who wants to get in shape or learn to defend themselves. There are classes for kids and adults, striking classes as well as jiu jitsu/grappling, and cardio mma classes for folks who just want to get some exercise in with no contact.

★★★★★ — Susan, Aug 2016

I Jason the owner of Academy through my coach when I moved to Nashville and I train with them some Sundays during open mat. Jason and their entire team made me feel welcomed and a part of the crew. Such a great facility and have an awesome pro shop as well as a recovery facility on site.

★★★★★ — Billy, Jul 2023

The Academy is a wonderful gym with friendly and experienced trainers. My entire family loves going there. The instructors know what they are doing and their teaching style is very effective for beginners, or more experienced BJJ students. Highly recommend them!

★★★★★ — Farren, Nov 2018

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 39 reviews →

New to muay thai? Start at The Academy

The Academy 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.

See their beginner class info

Your first muay thai class at The Academy

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 The Academy

907 Rivergate Pkwy Ste B4, Goodlettsville, TN37072

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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.