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Premier Martial Arts North Knoxville

4.8 ★★★★★ 53 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Knoxville, Tennessee

Part of Premier Martial Arts

Free trial Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens

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 — 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
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule premiermartialarts.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (865) 867-2130

Hours

Monday 2:30–8:30 PM
Tuesday 2:30–8:30 PM
Wednesday 2:30–8:30 PM
Thursday 2:30–8:30 PM
Friday 2:30–8:30 PM
Saturday 8 AM–1:30 PM
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 Premier Martial Arts North Knoxville, confirmed in students' own reviews and the dojo's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Karate 48 mentions

“We have been apart of Premier for 1 year now and we are so thankful for everything that they have taught my son.”

All dojos that run kids karate →

🛡️ Self-Defense

“We initially entered our daughter for various reasons, other than self defense.”

All dojos that run self-defense →

🥋 Adult Karate

“First my son tried out and then I decided as his mother to joint the adult class.”

All dojos that run adult karate →

🌱 Beginners

“We have always been an athletic family but when Dylan was training for the first time he was smiling bigger than I had ever seen.”

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 Premier Martial Arts North Knoxville — mined from their reviews and the dojo's own info.

🛡️ Self-Defense

“We initially entered our daughter for various reasons, other than self defense.”

Other dojos that also teach self-defense →

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 53 Google reviews — in their own words.

expert instruction from a great sensei 5 mentions

“Also we are in martial arts and he is an amazing instructor to all the kids.”

friendly, respectful dojo 7 mentions

“I recommend this place, I have been a student for over three years and the instructors are extremely friendly!”

🧒 strong kids program 3 mentions

“The staff are extremely friendly and great with kids of all ages.”

builds confidence, discipline & respect 9 mentions

“He has ADHD and generally has a bit of a hard time focusing on things, but during his lessons he has NO problems at all.”

From the reviews

There is no place like premier martial arts on Callahan. We’ve had our son enrolled since this dojo has opened. Casey and Leah are amazing and hold the kids accountable to improving every single week. The coaching extends off the mat to, with driving importance of respect and hard work.

★★★★★ — Tim, Feb 2022

My son first learned about Premier Martial Arts when they came to his school. He came home super excited about it and wanted to give it a try. We had been hoping he'd get interested in some extracurricular activity.

★★★★★ — Conrad, Aug 2023

Our Daughter has been with PMA for almost 4 months now. She really likes the other kids attending as well as the staff. We initially entered our daughter for various reasons, other than self defense. Our daughter was very shy and withdrawn from social activities. She also had difficulties with day to day organization.

★★★★★ — Erica, Aug 2022

hey are definitely GREAT with children.Highly recommend their classes to anyone with kids ages 3+! Plus they offered excellent assistance with my daughter's birthday party.thank you Master Von , Miss Lauren and Miss Leah for helping make my daughter's 6th birthday a great day!

★★★★★ — Destiny, Apr 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 53 reviews →

New to Karate? Start at Premier Martial Arts North Knoxville

Premier Martial Arts North Knoxville 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 Premier Martial Arts North Knoxville

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 Premier Martial Arts North Knoxville

2427 Callahan Dr, Knoxville, TN37912

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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.