Sam AlvarezFinding the best martial art in Nashville can completely change your routine. If you’re a busy professional drowning in emails, hitting the mats after work is the perfect way to blow off steam.
This physical outlet is also great for anyone wanting to build long-term focus and physical conditioning.
Now, I know how tough it is to find a place that fits your vibe and schedule. You want a welcoming community that also provides top-notch instruction.
To make things easier, I put together this list to help you figure out exactly where to start your training. Let’s dive right into the top spots around town.
How much does martial arts training cost in Nashville?
The cost of martial arts classes in Nashville typically ranges from $99 to $220 per month, with prices varying based on the gym, instructor experience, and membership plan.
| Service | Typical Cost |
| Budget Membership | Around $99 per month |
| Standard Membership | $120–$220 per month |
| Premium Instruction | $150–$180 per month |
| 6-Month Membership (Discounted) | Around $145 per month |
| Registration / Uniform Fees | Varies by gym |
1. Liberdade Jiu Jitsu
Website: https://wwwerdadebjj.com/
Address: 1016 8th Avenue South
Contact: (615)-802-5655 | [email protected]
Hours: Monday – Friday: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM, 4:00 PM – 8:30 PM; Saturday: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Liberdade Jiu Jitsu truly stands out with their world-class instruction. Students get to learn directly from a seven-time World Champion, ensuring real-world insights into training.
Because of this elite leadership, this is an incredible spot if you want top-tier grappling.
I like their approach, too. The training is practical, blending traditional fundamentals with modern techniques perfectly.
Beyond the physical moves, the focus here also goes into building your mental strength. They can actively help you build resilience and confidence that you can take back to the office.
To accommodate different families, they offer distinct programs for adults and kids. You can even use their online video library if you travel a lot for work.
However, you’ll want to note their limited martial arts styles. This gym won’t meet your needs if you really want to learn striking arts like Muay Thai or Boxing.
On top of that, their operating hours may prove difficult for those only available on Sundays.
Customer Reviews
Wonderful community of people
A great Jiu jitsu academy and wonderful community of people. Milton, Alex and the other instructors are knowledgeable and great to learn from. My family and I trained with them for several years and go back to visit whenever we can. But you won’t really know what it is like until you go check them out for yourselves.
- Catheryn Ferguson Google Review
Amazing and welcoming coaches
I dropped in while visiting Nashville and had a great experience! Milton and Alex are amazing coaches — super welcoming, technical, and great at teaching. The atmosphere was friendly and supportive. Highly recommend for all levels!
- Estel Orrit i Vinets Google Review
2. Executive Martial Arts
Website: https://www.executivemartialarts.co/
Address: 6410 Charlotte Pike
Contact: (615)-543-5617 | [email protected]
Hours: Monday – Friday: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Saturday: 6:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Executive Martial Arts provides authentic training under globally recognized leadership and direct lineage. Grandmaster Chris Garland brings serious expertise that’s even recognized by government officials.
Thanks to these heavy credentials, this is the perfect place to be for highly specialized self-defense.
To give you a unique edge, their curriculum covers rare Asian weapons training and practical survival techniques.
I actually took their free trial lesson last month to see the facility, and the tactical focus was intensely practical for real-world situations.
Moreover, they run excellent specialized programs like their dedicated women’s self-defense course. You’ll really feel empowered learning these traditional Hapkido techniques in such a safe space.
Just keep in mind that their limited general class schedule can be an issue. For instance, standard group classes only meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Also, some of their coolest weapons classes require special appointments to join.
Customer Reviews
Cares about each student
Mr. Garland is an excellent teacher who hones in on what an individual needs, both mentally and physically. For the LGBTQ folks – he’s still learning about some of the newfangled genders out there, but he’s got a big heart and a willingness to learn. He genuinely cares about each of his students and has an extra-soft spot for autistic & neurodivergent folks. If you want to really push yourself, the private lessons can double as brutal workouts, so don’t forget to stretch and bring water!
- Ray Hahn Google Review
Excellent and patient teacher
Mr. Garland has been an excellent teacher, for myself and my son. We both participate in group and private lessons. His trainings combine real-world applications of physical, mental and spiritual preparedness. Discipline is provided through a keen sense of empathy and patience for his students. Looking forward to watching his school grow!
- Will Tarleton Google Review
3. Nashville MMA Training Camp
Website: http://nashvillemma.com/
Address: 1504 Elm Hill Pike
Contact: (615)-297-4430 | [email protected]
Hours: Monday – Thursday: 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM; Friday: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Saturday – Sunday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Nashville MMA Training Camp offers an unmatched advantage with their massive state-of-the-art facility and incredible class variety.
Apart from the space, the flexibility is incredible. They run over eighty classes a week across multiple disciplines, so there are plenty of options for all.
This intense volume is solid. To keep your workouts fresh, you can easily switch between Boxing, Muay Thai, and Jiu-Jitsu. They structure their classes by skill level, so beginners always stay protected.
There are nice, small touches, too. I love that they throw in free loaner gear for your first two weeks. Additionally, adult memberships include access to a dedicated recovery room.
However, you’ll need to watch out for their strict cancellation policy. To change or pause your month-to-month membership, they require a full twenty-eight-day notice.
Also, their weekend hours are quite limited since they close at two in the afternoon.
Customer Reviews
Coolest gym I visited
NMMA is the coolest gym I have ever been to! The vide is so effortlessly awesome and the people are very determined. The members here don’t play around and the coaches are extremely experienced and are gonna tell it to you straight. Love this gym and love the community!
- Arianne Johnson Google Review
Easy to work with
Held a workout event here this past weekend and had a phenomenal time. Staff was super helpful, communicative, and easy to work with. Shawn was a great coach as well. Will definitely be back 💯 …
- Sierra Bailey Google Review
4. KSA Martial Academy
Website: https://www.ksamartialacademy.com/
Address: 4908 Charlotte Pike
Contact: (615)-720-4820 | [email protected]
Hours: Tuesday – Thursday: 3:30 PM – 8:00 PM; Saturday: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
KSA Martial Academy offers a highly diverse, blended curriculum in a completely judgment-free environment. I really like how they combine traditional arts like Aikido with modern Filipino Martial Arts.
By mixing these styles, they create a very practical approach to modern empowerment.
The instructors here bring decades of teaching experience directly to the mats. They focus heavily on real-world defense tactics like verbal de-escalation and boundary setting.
It’s a fantastic community that prioritizes your mental resilience just as much as your physical strength. To support your body long-term, they also incorporate muscle resilience training to keep you healthy.
Just keep in mind that this isn’t the right gym for aspiring competitive fighters. Because their strong focus stays on street self-defense, the training doesn’t align with standard tournament goals.
The academy is also located entirely on the second floor. This layout presents a physical barrier if you’re dealing with severe mobility issues.
Customer Reviews
Incredible guidance and confidence
Master Williams, Choi, and Eddins are incredible and their guidance has helped me gain confidence and strengthen me physically and mentally. Hapkido is so much more fun than regular work out, I highly recommend anyone to stop in to try a free class.
- Thuy Tran Google Review
Incredibly positive empowerment place
We’re relatively new to KSA, but my daughter and I are already huge fans. The instructors are thoughtful and patient, excellent at explaining the “why” behind what you’re learning. It’s an incredibly positive place that’s dedicated to empowerment in all its forms. The lessons they teach there, both on and off the mat, are exactly what I want my daughter to be learning! I encourage anyone who might be interested to come check out a class!
- Erin Baler Google Review
5. Zanshin Dojo
Website: http://www.zanshindojonashville.com/
Address: 1917 Church Street
Contact: (615)-485-2143 | [email protected]
Hours: Monday – Friday: 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM; Saturday: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Zanshin Dojo separates themselves from the pack with their prestigious history as Nashville’s very first Gracie Jiu-Jitsu school.
Beyond the reputation, you also get to train under a highly credentialed instructor with a direct lineage to the Gracie family. Thanks to this authentic background, this is a phenomenal place to learn realistic street self-defense.
As for options, they offer unique flexibility that lets you split your training between Karate and Jiu-Jitsu. It’s great for those exploring multiple martial arts options.
Location is also solid. The dojo is centrally located in Midtown and features essential amenities like on-site parking and showers.
And I love that the mats are rigorously cleaned after every single class.
Sadly, they don’t offer segregated beginner classes. Instead, new students jump right into the regular schedule, which might feel intimidating at first.
The main entrance is also tucked away at the back of the building. Because of this hidden location, it isn’t always easy to find on your very first visit.
Customer Reviews
True hidden local gem
Professor Eric and Zanshin Dojo is a true hidden gem in Nashville. He is a direct 4th degree black belt under Rickson Gracie, and a 7th degree black belt in Karate. The studio is clean, professional, and is actually one of the longest running BJJ gyms in the country. Families, youth, and adults are all welcome here – I’ve trained a dozens of BJJ gyms across the country and this one stands out in my mind.
- Mike Selck Google Review
Very kind and knowledgeable
I started training BJJ at Zanshin dojo after moving to Nashville and have been very happy with my decision. The professors Eric and Hank have been very kind and knowledgeable and the community is very welcoming. They train jiu jitsu passed down from Rickson Gracie and also teach karate and mma. I definitely recommend checking out if you’re looking for a school or stopping in town for some training
- Devin Reese Google Review
