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The Academy

5 ★★★★★ 39 Google reviews · Kickboxing gym in Goodlettsville, Tennessee

Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens 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 (ages 4–14) — built around confidence, focus, and fun
  • Sparring sparring and partner work for members who want it — always optional, eased in gradually, with the coach controlling the contact
  • 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 theacademyofbjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 615-945-6501

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 and class-schedule changes — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

Kickboxing 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.

🧒 Kids Kickboxing 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 kickboxing →

🌱 Beginners 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 beginners →

🤜 Sparring 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 sparring →

🏆 Competition Team 3 mentions

“I know professor Jason Matherly as a high level competitor, instructor, father to his kids, husband to his wife and a great friend to be there at anytime.”

All gyms that run competition team →

Other martial arts here

Kickboxing 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.

🏟️ 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 →

🥋 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu 12 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 →

🛡️ Self-Defense 2 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.”

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 39 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, motivating coaching 3 mentions

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

🌱 welcoming to beginners 6 mentions

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

🏆 active competition / fight team 3 mentions

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

🧼 clean, well-equipped gym 4 mentions

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

🤝 friendly, family gym 16 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.”

From the reviews

My name is David Wells, I'm the founder of Jiu Jitsu of Middle TN. a private facebook page that has over 1500 Jiu Jitsu practitioners throughout Middle TN. One of my responsibilities is to keep everyone updated about Jiu JItsu, good or bad.

★★★★★ — David, Jan 2023

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 kickboxing? 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 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 The 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 The Academy

907 Rivergate Pkwy Ste B4, Goodlettsville, TN37072

Get directions Instagram · Facebook

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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.