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GMA Martial Arts Center

5 ★★★★★ 20 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Gallatin, Tennessee

Karate dojo Free trial Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens Competition team

Affiliated dojo — reviews and the dojo's own info point to a recognized Karate style organization or franchise (think Shotokan/JKA, Kyokushin, Goju-Ryu, Isshinryu, Tiger Schulmann's or Villari's). If lineage matters to you, ask which style and organization the dojo belongs to, and under whom the head sensei earned their black belt.

Plan your first class

  • Free trial / intro class most dojos welcome new students with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
  • Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
  • Kids & youth classes kids and youth Karate classes (ages 3–14) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Adult classes adult Karate classes — training built for grown-ups, from fitness and fundamentals to kumite (sparring) at your own pace
  • Competition team a competition team for students who want to test themselves at kumite tournaments
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule globalmartialartsusa.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 731-324-3851

Hours

Monday 10 am–7 pm
Tuesday 10 am–7 pm
Wednesday 10 am–7 pm
Thursday 10 am–7 pm
Friday 10 am–7 pm
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed

Hours shift for holidays, belt tests, and seminars — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

Karate classes on the schedule at GMA Martial Arts Center, confirmed in students' own reviews and the dojo's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Karate 10 mentions

“Kids excelled and grew in martial arts, school,mentally, and their confidence shot threw the roof.”

All dojos that run kids karate →

🌱 Beginners

“Our son started as a little kid with no experience, and now he’s a black belt in Taekwondo.”

All dojos that run beginners →

Other martial arts here

Karate dojos are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else students mention training under the same roof at GMA Martial Arts Center — mined from their reviews and the dojo's own info.

🦵 Taekwondo

“Our son started as a little kid with no experience, and now he’s a black belt in Taekwondo.”

Other dojos that also teach taekwondo →

🥋 Jiu-Jitsu

“Jiu Jitsu changed my life in ways I couldn’t have imagined: I’m stronger…not only in body (losing 50 pounds in the last year) but mentally as well.”

Other dojos that also teach jiu-jitsu →

🏟️ MMA

“GMA is a phenomenal Mixed Martial Arts school and I would strongly recommend it to anyone.”

Other dojos that also teach mma →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the dojo's own info — they show what students have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want taekwondo, jiu-jitsu, or kickboxing alongside your Karate, confirm the current schedule with the dojo.

What students say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 20 Google reviews — in their own words.

friendly, respectful dojo 7 mentions

“There was just something about the energy, the way the instructors worked with the kids, and how welcoming it all felt.”

🧒 strong kids program 3 mentions

“They teach so much more than just martial arts, our son has gained confidence, discipline, and respect that he carries with him in everyday life.”

builds confidence, discipline & respect 11 mentions

“Jiu Jitsu changed my life in ways I couldn’t have imagined: I’m stronger…not only in body (losing 50 pounds in the last year) but mentally as well.”

From the reviews

My daughter was diagnosed with ADHD, at the age of 5. Instead of medicating her, we signed her up with Gallatin Martial Arts. This place, this family, has done wonders for my child.

★★★★★ — Kristy, Feb 2022

Jiu Jitsu changed my life in ways I couldn’t have imagined: I’m stronger…not only in body (losing 50 pounds in the last year) but mentally as well. My confidence is the highest it’s been in my life and my thought processes for life has changed drastically for the better. GMA is the greatest at building you up.

★★★★★ — John, Feb 2022

Great instructors , highly qualified,very knowledgeable. Always willing to help. Keep up the good work.

★★★★★ — Bob, May 2022

GMA has been such a huge part of our lives for over six years now. Our son started as a little kid with no experience, and now he’s a black belt in Taekwondo. Watching his growth, both physically and mentally has been amazing, and so much of that is thanks to the talented team at GMA.

★★★★★ — Roy, Apr 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 20 reviews →

New to Karate? Start at GMA Martial Arts Center

GMA Martial Arts Center comes up as a beginner-friendly dojo — noted on their own site. If you've never thrown a punch or set foot in a dojo, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or flexible to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and the sensei scales the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard sparring — reputable dojos build fundamentals (stances, blocks, punches, and kicks) for weeks, and kumite (sparring) eases in gradually, with pads and control. Third, all levels and ages 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 dojos are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.

See their beginner class info

Your first Karate class at GMA Martial Arts Center

Nervous about walking into a Karate dojo for the first time? Almost everyone is, and a good sensei expects beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling basic stances, blocks, punches, and kicks — not hard sparring. Step to the side whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: athletic wear you can move in (or a gi if you have one); you'll train barefoot. What to bring: water, and a mouthguard if you have one — many dojos lend a loaner gi for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gi and the belt your dojo awards you. Kumite (sparring) eases in gradually, once your fundamentals are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the sensei. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.

Karate is a contact sport. Ease in, train within your limits, listen to your instructors, 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 GMA Martial Arts Center

509 Garnet Ct Ste 100 Unit A, Gallatin, TN37066

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this dojo? Claim your listing — it's free.