Family Focused. Champions Always.
Strong, focused kids
are built in Franklin, TN
Karate, boxing and self-defense for kids from age 4, teens and adults, taught by coaches who learn your child's name on day one and use it every class after.
Rated 5.0 on Google by 167 Franklin families.
Programs in Franklin
Three programs, built for three stages
Family First Martial Arts in Franklin, TN teaches karate, boxing and self-defense to kids from age 4, teens and adults. Each age group has its own program, class length and coaching ratio, every program meets twice a week, and the first class is free.
Tiny Titans
Thirty minutes of play with a purpose. Young students practice listening the first time, balance, kicks and manners, with one coach for every six kids.
Explore Tiny Titans
Guardian Kids
Karate, boxing and self-defense in 45 minute classes. Kids set goals, earn every stripe and learn to stay calm when someone is watching.
Explore Guardian Kids
Gladiators
Teens and adults train striking, practical self-defense and conditioning, with four evening class times a week to choose from.
Explore GladiatorsWhy Franklin Families Stay
What parents notice after the first few weeks
Three coaches, one class
Every Franklin kids class runs with up to three coaches on the floor. Tiny Titans holds to six students per coach and Guardian Kids to ten, so your child gets corrected, encouraged and noticed every single class.
Character is built into every drill
Respect, focus and self-control are practiced the same way a front kick is: on purpose, every class, with a coach watching. Parents tell us they see it at the dinner table first.
Your two days can move
Every student trains twice a week, and the two days are yours to pick. Soccer season on Tuesdays? Swap to Monday and Saturday. Members reserve classes in the app.
One school for the whole household
Siblings train at the same school, each in a class built for their age, and teens and adults have Gladiators in the evening. Family discounts make it easier on the budget.
Belts mean something here
Promotions happen once a quarter, by invitation, after a student has earned every stripe. Belts are never handed out on a timer, so the ceremony is a real moment for your child.
A free class, start to finish
Your child joins a real class on the first visit, takes home a starter bag and earns a white belt before leaving. Membership options come afterward, in person, only if you want them.
How We Teach
Kicks and punches are the tools. Your child is the project.
Franklin classes follow a four part character curriculum that turns over every quarter. A student who trains for a year has worked on all four, in every drill, game and belt test.
- Vision & Victory. Setting a goal, making a plan and seeing it through.
- Mental Toughness. Staying calm and focused when a drill gets hard.
- Emotional Intelligence. Reading a room, managing big feelings and showing empathy.
- Power with Purpose. Using strength to serve others and lead by example.
Your First Visit
One free class. Three simple steps.
Tell us who is training
Fill in a short form and choose a class time on the next screen. A coach texts you to confirm, usually the same day.
Walk in, warm up, jump in
A coach meets your child at the door, introduces a friendly classmate and brings them straight into a regular class. You can watch every minute from the parent area.
Leave with a white belt
Class ends with a white belt ceremony and a starter bag to take home. Then you decide, at your own pace, whether Family First fits your family.
Franklin Reviews
In the words of Franklin parents
“My daughter (5) has a lot of energy and we are working on learning to not talk over adults. This class has been amazing for her. I can tell a difference from when we started to now.”Courtney S. Franklin parent
“This is one of the best places to enroll your kids in for sports in the area. Classes are sibling friendly. Parents can stay or leave. Everything is super clean and safe.”A. M. Google review
“We love this place! All of the instructors are excellent, and they teach respect, patience, and thinking through.”Heather B. Franklin parent
Class Times
After school, after dinner or Saturday morning
Franklin classes start as early as 4:00 PM Monday through Thursday, with later times for older students and a Saturday morning block for busy weeks. Pick any two each week.
See Franklin Class TimesParent Questions
Quick answers before you visit
Children can start at 4 in Tiny Titans. The free first class doubles as a readiness check, and if your child would be happier waiting a few months, we will say so.
Membership runs in the upper $100s to low $200s a month, depending on the commitment level you choose. Every membership includes two classes a week and the first uniform. We go over the options in person after the free class, once you have seen your child on the mat.
Each age group has its own class. Kids train in Tiny Titans or Guardian Kids, and teens and adults train in Gladiators in the evening. The whole family is invited to celebrate together at belt ceremonies.
209 S Royal Oaks Blvd, Suite 132 in the Watson Glen Shopping Center, just off Royal Oaks Boulevard. It is a short drive from Cool Springs, downtown Franklin and Brentwood.
From the Blog
Reading for Franklin parents
Confidence, discipline, screen time, sibling life and what happens on the mat. Practical posts for families in Franklin and Williamson County.
Confidence vs. Self-Esteem in Kids’ Martial Arts: What Parents Can Do
Many parents see the same pattern at home. A child says “I can’t” before even trying, melts down over a small mistake, or shuts down when…
Read the postCommon Preschool Martial Arts Program Myths Parents Can Skip
Parents often start searching for new activities when school routines settle in. Martial arts catches the eye, then the doubts start. Is a…
Read the postSee the change for yourself, in one class
Bring your child to a free class in Franklin. They train with kids their age, earn a white belt and head home with a starter bag. You watch the whole thing.
Book a Free Trial ClassRather talk it through first? Call or text (615) 425-6554