Global Martial Arts USA has been part of the Gallatin, TN community for over 50 years, and in that time the school has become something much more than a place to train. GMA is a community — a network of families, friendships, and shared purpose that extends well beyond the mat. Three community clubs form the backbone of that culture: the Guys Club, the Family Club, and the Ma’am’s Club. Together, they make sure every student and family member at GMA has a place where they belong.
Here’s what makes the GMA community different from your average martial arts school — and why so many families consider it a second home.
More Than a Martial Arts School
Walk into GMA on any given evening and you’ll see something that sets it apart immediately. Parents aren’t sitting in the lobby scrolling their phones while their kids train. They’re on the mat themselves, or they’re in conversation with other families, or they’re helping organize the next community event. The culture here is participation, not observation.
That culture didn’t happen by accident. Grandmaster K.O. Spillmann built GMA on the principle that martial arts training is about developing the whole person — not just physical skills. Respect, discipline, and service to others are woven into every class, every belt test, and every interaction between students. The community clubs are a natural extension of that philosophy, giving members structured ways to connect and support each other outside of regular training.
GMA has been voted the top martial arts school in Sumner County, and the community is a big reason why. Students stay for decades. Families train across generations. That kind of loyalty comes from genuine relationships, not marketing.
The Guys Club
The Guys Club is GMA’s brotherhood — a group for men and boys in the school who want connection and camaraderie beyond their regular TaeKwonDo or BJJ classes. Members build relationships through shared experiences both on and off the mat.
The Guys Club creates a space where men can be open, supportive, and genuine with each other — something that’s surprisingly rare. Whether it’s a group outing, a service project, or simply grabbing food after an evening training session, the Guys Club reinforces the idea that martial arts training builds character through community, not just technique.
The Ma’am’s Club
The Ma’am’s Club brings together the women, moms, and grandmothers of GMA. It’s a supportive, non-judgmental space where members share advice, encouragement, and experiences — both related to martial arts and life in general.
The club hosts planned events that give members a chance to relax, recharge, and connect outside the training environment. For many women at GMA, the Ma’am’s Club becomes a trusted support network. The daily encounters at the studio — waiting during kids’ classes, training in adult sessions, volunteering at events — evolve into real friendships. And those relationships make the entire GMA experience richer for everyone involved.
The Family Club
The Family Club reflects what GMA is at its core: a family school. This club brings entire families together for activities, events, and community service that strengthen bonds between parents, kids, and fellow GMA families.
When families train together, they develop a shared vocabulary of effort, respect, and perseverance. The Family Club extends that dynamic into social settings — potlucks, outings, holiday events, and volunteer projects that keep families connected. Kids see their parents modeling the same values they learn in class. Parents get to know the families their children train alongside. It creates an accountability network that supports everyone’s growth.
This is also what sets GMA apart for parents choosing a kids martial arts program. You’re not just signing your child up for kicks and punches — you’re joining a community that actively invests in your family’s wellbeing.
A Community Built on Shared Values
What ties all three clubs together is GMA’s foundational belief that martial arts training shapes every part of a person’s life. The Jidokwon philosophy — the School of Wisdom that guides GMA’s TaeKwonDo tradition — emphasizes wisdom, integrity, and service. Those values don’t stay on the mat. They show up in how members treat each other, how they serve the Gallatin community, and how they raise their families.
GMA’s instructors model this daily. Many are family members themselves — multiple generations of the Spillmann family teach and train at the school, creating a living example of what a martial arts family looks like. When students see their instructors practicing the same values they preach, it builds a trust that keeps the community strong year after year.
If you’re looking for a martial arts school that offers more than just technique — one where you’ll find genuine connection, mutual support, and a community that treats you like family — GMA has been building exactly that for over half a century.
Ready to Get Started?
Your first class is free. Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced martial artist, we’d love to welcome you to the GMA family.
Call us at (731) 324-3847 or book your free trial online.