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Progressive Martial Arts Academy

4.9 ★★★★★ 99 Google reviews · Kickboxing gym in Oak Ridge, Tennessee

Kickboxing gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons Competition 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 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
  • Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves in the ring — amateur kickboxing, muay thai, or K-1
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule pmaoakridge.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (865) 481-8901

Hours

Monday 3–8:30 PM
Tuesday 3–8:30 PM
Wednesday 3–8:30 PM
Thursday 3–8:30 PM
Friday Closed
Saturday Closed
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 Progressive Martial Arts Academy, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Kickboxing 23 mentions

“Having mentioned that, I recommend starting children out as young as possible because thy do not have the restrictions that we adults have.”

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🌱 Beginners 2 mentions

“My son is only a beginner, but I can already see the things he is learning in class trickling into other areas of his life.”

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🏆 Competition Team 3 mentions

“I especially liked my time on the competition team, where I had the chance to participate in three local NAGA tournaments.”

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👤 Private Lessons

“Even with the plethora of classes and private lessons, being a mother and having a career makes it difficult to train as much as I like.”

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Other martial arts here

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

🏟️ MMA

“physical fitness, nutrition education, mixed martial arts training, PMA will lead them there and empower them to achieve even more!”

Other gyms that also teach mma →

🥋 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu 3 mentions

“I participate in both Kenpo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.”

Other gyms that also teach brazilian jiu-jitsu →

🥋 Karate 4 mentions

“It provides a great community for our daughter to learn karate and many life skills.”

Other gyms that also teach karate →

🛡️ Self-Defense 5 mentions

“I would recommend this academy to any one interested in training in Martial Arts or self-defense.”

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 99 Google reviews — in their own words.

🌱 welcoming to beginners 5 mentions

“My son is only a beginner, but I can already see the things he is learning in class trickling into other areas of his life.”

🏆 active competition / fight team 4 mentions

“I especially liked my time on the competition team, where I had the chance to participate in three local NAGA tournaments.”

💗 welcoming to women 2 mentions

“Thank you Sempai Madeline for showing that ladies can kick butt too!”

🧠 builds confidence & relieves stress 7 mentions

“PMA has helped his self esteem, increased his sense of responsibility, helped him have an identity outside of his siblings and given him a repeated sense of accomplishment.”

🤝 friendly, family gym 17 mentions

“The atmosphere is safe, welcoming, accommodating, and familial for students, families and friends of ALL ages.”

From the reviews

Progressive Martial Arts is AMAZING!!!! Our family is so happy with how we are treated and how our children learn so much at each lesson. The instructors are not just there to show you how to do Martial Arts they actually care about each student and their success.

★★★★★ — Yula, Feb 2020

We looked at multiple martial arts locations. After asking around and having the free session, we settled on Progressive Martial Arts in Oak Ridge. Extremely pleased! The instructors are disciplined, hold students accountable but at the same time make training a lot of fun.

★★★★★ — Sean, Oct 2023

When it comes to enrolling kids in activities, it's crucial to be able to trust the adults in charge. Over the past year and a half, PMA has proven time and again that my trust in them is well placed.

★★★★★ — Maggie, Dec 2020

I trained in the BJJ adult classes for ~1.2 years and have nothing but positive things to say about PMA. All the instructors are exemplary teachers, and the students are helpful and encouraging (both on and off the mat).

★★★★★ — William, Aug 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 99 reviews →

New to kickboxing? Start at Progressive Martial Arts Academy

Progressive Martial Arts 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.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first kickboxing class at Progressive Martial Arts 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 Progressive Martial Arts Academy

1375 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge, TN37830

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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.