HomeTennesseeCleveland › Cleveland Defense Academy

Cleveland Defense Academy

5 ★★★★★ 23 Google reviews · Kickboxing gym in Cleveland, Tennessee

Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons

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 fitness levels welcome, including total beginners — no experience needed, and you get in shape by training, not before
  • Kids & teen classes kids and teen kickboxing classes — built around confidence, focus, and fun
  • Private lessons one-on-one coaching available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule clevelanddefenseacademy.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 423-284-3707

Hours

Monday 6–8 pm
Tuesday 3:30–9 pm
Wednesday 6–8 pm
Thursday 3:30–9 pm
Friday Closed
Saturday 8:30 am–1 pm
Sunday Closed

Hours shift for holidays and class-schedule changes — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

Kickboxing classes on the schedule at Cleveland Defense Academy, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Kickboxing 4 mentions

“Our children (now 17 and 18 yrs old) have had a wonderful experience at The Academy.”

All gyms that run kids kickboxing →

🌱 Beginners 2 mentions

“The students of all levels are equally as talented and are there to offer the best advice they can for people at every skill level.”

All gyms that run beginners →

🥊 Boxing

“Self defense, jujitsu, youth kick boxing.”

All gyms that run boxing →

Other martial arts here

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

🥊 Boxing

“Self defense, jujitsu, youth kick boxing.”

Other gyms that also teach boxing →

🥋 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu 7 mentions

“I would highly recommend visiting the The Academy if you are in the Cleveland area and thinking about training jiu jitsu.”

Other gyms that also teach brazilian jiu-jitsu →

🛡️ Self-Defense 2 mentions

“Awesome family atmosphere for learning self defense skills that can be used to protect yourself in day to day situations you may encounter.”

Other gyms that also teach self-defense →

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 muay thai, boxing, or MMA alongside your kickboxing, confirm the current schedule with the gym.

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 23 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, motivating coaching 5 mentions

“Great school Sensei Mike is an excellent instructor it was a pleasure meeting Jennifer and training with them.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 4 mentions

“The students of all levels are equally as talented and are there to offer the best advice they can for people at every skill level.”

💗 welcoming to women 2 mentions

“Better with youth than anyone I've ever seen, young ladies included.”

🤝 friendly, family gym 15 mentions

“Awesome family atmosphere for learning self defense skills that can be used to protect yourself in day to day situations you may encounter.”

From the reviews

Excellent gym with good instructors that are willing to share their knowledge. The students of all levels are equally as talented and are there to offer the best advice they can for people at every skill level.

★★★★★ — Nathan, Sep 2020

If you want good authentic Gracie jiu-jitsu in Cleveland, TN check out The Academy. Top notch people and instructors. Micheal and Jennifer Chastain are super friendly and completely professional Instructors always willing to share their knowledge.

★★★★★ — Randy, Sep 2017

Legitimate training with knowledgeable, thoughtful instruction. Instructors are extremely helpful and friendly with extremely positive attitudes toward the learning of jiu jitsu.

★★★★★ — Cary, Apr 2022

Awesome family atmosphere for learning self defense skills that can be used to protect yourself in day to day situations you may encounter. The instructors care about each student like their own family. I highly recommend giving it a try!

★★★★★ — S, Apr 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 23 reviews →

New to kickboxing? Start at Cleveland Defense Academy

Cleveland Defense Academy comes up as a beginner-friendly gym, going by their listing and members’ reviews. If you've never thrown a punch or a kick, that's exactly who a good beginners class is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or coordinated to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and coaches scale every drill to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard sparring — reputable gyms build the basics (stance, footwork, and punches and kicks on pads and bags) first, and any contact eases in gradually under a coach's control. Third, all fitness 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 kickboxing class at Cleveland Defense Academy

Nervous about walking into a kickboxing 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 — stance, footwork, and punches and kicks on pads or a heavy bag — not hard sparring. Go at your own pace and rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: comfortable athletic clothes you can move and sweat in, and supportive trainers. What to bring: water, and hand wraps and gloves if you have them — many gyms lend loaner gloves for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gloves and wraps (and shin guards once you start sparring). Sparring is optional and eases in gradually, once your basics 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.

Kickboxing is a contact sport. Warm up, pace yourself, 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 Cleveland Defense Academy

2382 Blue Springs Rd SE, Cleveland, TN37311

Get directions

More kickboxing gyms near Cleveland

Southside Fitness

4.7 ★★★★★ 61 reviews

511 S Lee Hwy, Cleveland, TN

🥊 Free trial / intro class — check their site

Memberships around $25/mo

Kickboxing gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Cardio kickboxing Women's classes welcoming to beginnersclean, well-equipped gymgood value / fair pricing

1.6 miles away

Bateman's USA Expert Karate, Hapkido & Kickboxing

4.7 ★★★★★ 33 reviews

2246 Spring Place Rd SE, Cleveland, TN

🥊 Free trial / intro class — check their site

Kickboxing gym Free trial Kids & teens expert, motivating coachingstrong kids programbuilds confidence & relieves stress

2.1 miles away

Total Fitness Kickboxing - East Brainerd

4.9 ★★★★★ 262 reviews

8006 E Brainerd Rd, Chattanooga, TN

🥊 Free trial / intro class — check their site

Kickboxing gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Cardio kickboxing Private lessons welcoming to beginnersfun, high-energy classeskiller cardio workout

17.4 miles away

All kickboxing gyms in Cleveland, TN →

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.