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The Wheeler Academy

5 ★★★★★ 81 Google reviews · Kickboxing gym in Powell, Tennessee

Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons

Plan your first class

  • 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
  • Sparring sparring and partner work for members who want it — always optional, eased in gradually, with the coach controlling the contact
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule wheeleracademy.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 865-947-8703

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

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

🧒 Kids Kickboxing 28 mentions

“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.”

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🤜 Sparring

“but all the kids really enjoy the class with all the different activities and sparring.”

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Teens Kickboxing

“It is a wonderful place for kids, teens and adults to attend.”

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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 The Wheeler Academy — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🥋 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu 3 mentions

“Fast forward 4 years I now have 3 children in martial arts and two of them (along with myself) are also doing jiu-jitsu.”

Other gyms that also teach brazilian jiu-jitsu →

🥋 Karate 7 mentions

“They were there for me and ready to listen and encourage me through life’s issues beyond karate.”

Other gyms that also teach karate →

🛡️ Self-Defense 2 mentions

“I highly recommend giving Wheeler's a try if you are interested in self defense training for kids or adults.”

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 81 Google reviews — in their own words.

🎉 fun, high-energy classes 3 mentions

“It’s so much fun to see the students earn stripes and belts and to be able to recognize and honor them as a group.”

🧒 strong kids program 2 mentions

“The classes they teach are wonderful in giving our child confidence in her skills.”

🧼 clean, well-equipped gym 4 mentions

“Wonderful teachers, clean facilities, and it's really helped him focus and work toward goals.”

🧠 builds confidence & relieves stress 4 mentions

“I spent over 10 years of my life taking my boys there, watching them learn skills that will help them their entire life and grow in confidence.”

🤝 friendly, family gym 8 mentions

“Everyone at the academy has consistently been focused on creating an energetic, friendly, educational experience from our day 1.”

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.

★★★★★ — Lucy, Mar 2021

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.

★★★★★ — Brad, Feb 2021

My son has been attending The Wheeler Academy for probably 6 years or so. Everyone at the academy has consistently been focused on creating an energetic, friendly, educational experience from our day 1. The instructors are amazing, they take an interest in each student and celebrate their growth and victories.

★★★★★ — Outdoor, Aug 2023

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.

★★★★★ — Rhonna, Sep 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 81 reviews →

New to kickboxing? 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 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 The Wheeler 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 Wheeler Academy

3553 W Emory Rd, Powell, TN37849

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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.