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Premier Martial Arts West Town

4.7 ★★★★★ 57 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Knoxville, Tennessee

Part of Premier Martial Arts

Free trial Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons

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 3–19) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Private lessons private, one-on-one instruction available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
  • 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) 867-2131

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 West Town, confirmed in students' own reviews and the dojo's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Karate 35 mentions

“Even when there was a situation when my son was goofing around, Mr Xander very kindly explained how to shift his behavior and try again for a stripe.”

All dojos that run kids karate →

🥋 Adult Karate 4 mentions

“I was given the opportunity to also join the adult class and loving every moment of it.”

All dojos that run adult karate →

👤 Private Lessons

“Xander does a great job of helping you out one on one during class.”

All dojos that run private lessons →

🛡️ Self-Defense 3 mentions

“I highly recommend this school for anyone wanting to meet fitness or self defense goals.”

All dojos that run self-defense →

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 West Town — mined from their reviews and the dojo's own info.

🛡️ Self-Defense 3 mentions

“I highly recommend this school for anyone wanting to meet fitness or self defense goals.”

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 57 Google reviews — in their own words.

expert instruction from a great sensei 8 mentions

“Master Von is so dedicated to the job and such an amazing mentor for the students.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 3 mentions

“The skills my son learned and developed in such a welcoming, structured and fun environment are something he will carry with him the rest of his life.”

friendly, respectful dojo 7 mentions

“The skills my son learned and developed in such a welcoming, structured and fun environment are something he will carry with him the rest of his life.”

🧒 strong kids program 3 mentions

“My kids have learned composure and self discipline and I’m in the best shape I’ve been in 15 years.”

builds confidence, discipline & respect 9 mentions

“5 years and has gained so much confidence and has made life long friends (so have I with some of the PMA moms)!”

From the reviews

We love Premier Martial Arts West Town! My daughter has been training for six years and the change in her has been amazing. She's gone from a timid little girl to a confident young woman.

★★★★★ — Marsha, Feb 2025

Life changing for my kids and myself. Started out for my Son and was interested for behavioral reasons. My daughter was second to join after begging to be in it! Honestly, to watch them improve is the biggest reward as a parent.

★★★★★ — Christina, Feb 2023

My son was a student Premier Martial Arts and we were incredibly pleased with our experience. Master Von is so dedicated to the job and such an amazing mentor for the students.

★★★★★ — Lisa, Sep 2019

We love West Town Premier Martial Arts! Mr Billy and Mr Xander create a welcoming and educational environment. My neurodivergent son has grown in many ways, just in 5 months. He is socializing and listening in class, he's practicing and tries hard in class.

★★★★★ — Jennifer, Dec 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 57 reviews →

New to Karate? Start at Premier Martial Arts West Town

Premier Martial Arts West Town 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 West Town

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 West Town

8231 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN37919

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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.