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The Wheeler Academy
5 ★★★★★ 81 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in Powell, Tennessee
Plan your first class
- 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 — 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
- 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 wheeleracademy.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (865) 947-8703
Hours
| Monday | 3–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 9 AM–12 PM, 3–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 9 AM–12 PM, 3–9 PM |
| Thursday | 9 AM–12 PM, 3–9 PM |
| Friday | 3–5 PM |
| Saturday | 9–11 AM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“I don't have much experience in places like this, but it's clear the instructors care about the kids and are engaged with the children the entire time.”
“It is a wonderful place for kids, teens and adults to attend.”
“but all the kids really enjoy the class with all the different activities and sparring.”
“I highly recommend giving Wheeler's a try if you are interested in self defense training for kids or adults.”
Other martial arts here
“She has learned self-defense, martial arts, kick-boxing, jiu-jitsu and now is a Black Belt at the academy.”
“Fast forward 4 years I now have 3 children in martial arts and two of them (along with myself) are also doing jiu-jitsu.”
“They were there for me and ready to listen and encourage me through life’s issues beyond karate.”
What members say
“Everyone at the academy has consistently been focused on creating an energetic, friendly, educational experience from our day 1.”
“They learn more that just technique, and skills, they learn discipline as well.”
“The classes they teach are wonderful in giving our child confidence in her skills.”
“Wonderful teachers, clean facilities, and it's really helped him focus and work toward goals.”
“Discipline, perseverance, character, focus, sportsmanship, good attitude, how to make healthy choices and most of all to focus on what is most important in life.”
From the reviews
We have been with The Wheeler Academy for about 7 or 8 years now. My son has indicated that he never plans on stopping. :) So hopefully we still have many more years ahead of us with Mr. Reynold, Mr. Potts and all the other fantastic instructors. Every single one of them is just wonderful.
Discipline, Courage, Integrity... That is exactly what The Wheeler Academy is all about! I have one daughter that is a student of The Wheeler Academy for 10 years and she practically grew up there. She has learned self-defense, martial arts, kick-boxing, jiu-jitsu and now is a Black Belt at the academy.
Wheeler Academy has a great team of instructors. The classes they teach are wonderful in giving our child confidence in her skills. This is a place that is a very positive environment. The instructors are firm, when needed to correct behavior, like too much talking, etc.
My words are insufficient for expressing how highly I think of this martial arts school and how badly I miss coming to classes. Much to our surprise our son decided to take a break from classes and I was in a dilemma of what to do but we chose to honor his feelings and let him step away for an indefinite period of…
New to muay thai? Start at The Wheeler Academy
The Wheeler 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.
Your first muay thai class at The Wheeler 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.
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