Tiger Schulmann’s Martial Arts

What Tiger Schulmann’s Martial Arts does

Tiger Schulmann's Martial Arts (legally TSMA Franchise Systems, Inc.) is a privately held martial arts franchise system headquartered in Elmwood Park, New Jersey, founded in 1984 by Daniel "Tiger" Schulmann — a six-time North American Full Contact Champion who achieved black belt at age 12. The company operates more than 50 physical martial arts schools across four Northeast U.S. states (New York with ~32 locations, New Jersey with 18+, Pennsylvania with 6, and Connecticut with 1), making it, by its own description, the largest martial arts school system in the United States, with over 300,000 students served since founding.

Its core product is an integrated, proprietary martial arts curriculum that combines four disciplines — Boxing, Muay Thai, Wrestling, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu — into a unified self-defense system delivered through age-tiered programs (Preschool Cubs ages 3-4, Little Tigers 5-7, Tigers 8-12, Teen Tigers 13-17, and adult kickboxing/jiu-jitsu/MMA). Specialized verticals include a children's "Bully Proof" program, a women's self-defense program ("Woman Safe"), and a B2B/B2G "Guardian" law enforcement defensive-tactics program co-developed with the Elmwood Park Chief of Police and UFC fighter Jimmie Rivera. All instructors are required to have at least 10 years of martial arts experience and carry SafeSport certification.

The business model is a recurring monthly subscription/membership model sold direct-to-consumer at local schools, supplemented by family-bundle discounts (20% for second member, 40% for third+, 25% for active law enforcement), an e-commerce merchandise channel (tigear.com), and free introductory private lessons as the primary customer-acquisition funnel. Customer acquisition mixes organic social (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube), content marketing via the company blog, email, and school/community outreach events. The business is operated as a franchised network under TSMA Franchise Systems, Inc.; no external private-equity or venture-capital backing is disclosed. AI/ML capabilities are not part of the current operating model.

Name

Tiger Schulmann’s Martial Arts

Legal name

TSMA Franchise Systems, Inc.

Website

https://tsk.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Tiger Schulmann's Martial Arts is the largest U.S. martial arts franchise, founded in 1984, operating 50+ schools across NY, NJ, PA, and CT that teach a proprietary integrated curriculum blending Boxing, Muay Thai, Wrestling, and Jiu-Jitsu to children and adults on a recurring subscription model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Martial Arts Training Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Combat Sports Gyms & Dojos (MMA, Boxing, Wrestling, Martial Arts) (MPAKAJAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Traditional Martial Arts Schools (Karate, Taekwondo, Kung Fu, etc.) (HSADADAA), Grappling & Submission Arts Training (Judo, BJJ, Wrestling) (HSADADAC), Women’s Self-Defense Classes (HSADADAH), Kids & Youth Martial Arts Programs (HSADADAG), Reality-Based Self-Defense Programs (Krav Maga, Combatives) (HSADADAE)

Keywords

• Martial arts training
• Kickboxing classes
• Jiu-jitsu instruction
• Mixed martial arts
• Kids self-defense

Headquarters

HQ city

Elmwood Park

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Martial Arts Membership/Subscription: Monthly or periodic membership fees for access to unlimited or multi-class attendance at Tiger Schulmann's locations. The membership model provides recurring revenue with customers paying regularly for ongoing access to classes in kickboxing, jiu-jitsu, and other martial arts programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Tiger Schulmann's Martial Arts operates a 50+ location franchise network of physical martial arts schools that delivers in-person, recurring training in kickboxing, jiu-jitsu, mixed martial arts (MMA), and age-specific children's programs. Members pay recurring monthly subscription fees for unlimited or multi-class attendance, starting with a free private introductory lesson and progressing through beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. The company also runs specialized programs including the Bully Proof program for kids, Woman Safe self-defense for women, and the Guardian defensive tactics curriculum for law enforcement officers.

Product overview

Tiger Schulmann's Martial Arts is a martial arts training organization offering a comprehensive curriculum of in-person classes across multiple disciplines. The core product portfolio includes Kids Martial Arts (with age-specific programs for Cubs, Little Tigers, Tigers, and Teen Tigers), Adult Kickboxing (incorporating Boxing and Muay Thai), Adult Jiu-Jitsu, Kids Jiu-Jitsu, Preschool Martial Arts (Cubs), and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). Specialized programs include the Bully Proof Program for children's anti-bullying and self-defense training, Women's Self-Defense courses, and Guardian Law Enforcement Training for police officers. The company operates over 50 physical locations across New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut, offering beginner through advanced level classes. Classes are divided by experience level (beginner, intermediate, advanced) and age groups, with a 45-minute private introductory lesson offered to new students.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Guardian: Law Enforcement Defensive Tactics training program developed in conjunction with law enforcement professionals, providing officers with technical knowledge and self-confidence to de-escalate and control suspects.

Products and services

• Kids Martial Arts Age-segmented in-person martial arts program for children covering Cubs (ages 3-4), Little Tigers (5-7), Tigers (8-12), and Teen Tigers (13-17) that builds confidence, discipline, focus, and physical fitness in a structured, character-focused environment.
• Adult Kickboxing High-energy in-person kickboxing class blending Boxing and Muay Thai techniques that builds strength, burns fat (marketed at up to 800-1000 calories per class), and teaches real-world self-defense for adults.
• Adult Jiu-Jitsu In-person adult Jiu-Jitsu program blending Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fundamentals with practical self-defense applications, improving fitness, flexibility, and cardiovascular health while teaching how to defend against larger opponents.
• Kids Jiu-Jitsu Jiu-Jitsu program for children ages 5-17 that builds confidence and self-esteem while teaching practical self-defense (escapes from holds, ground control) without relying on violence.
• Preschool Martial Arts (Cubs Program) In-person martial arts class for preschoolers ages 3-4 that develops confidence, focus, coordination, and motor skills through structured movement and play in a nurturing environment.
• Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Comprehensive MMA training program providing a full skill set for striking, grappling, and ground control by blending techniques from kickboxing, wrestling, and jiu-jitsu, aimed at both self-improvement and competition.
• Bully Proof Program Specialized self-defense and confidence-building program for kids ages 5+ that teaches bully awareness, prevention, and conflict resolution alongside character development and real-world self-defense techniques.
• Women's Self-Defense (Woman Safe) Specialized self-defense program equipping women with practical techniques tailored to real-world scenarios, building physical conditioning, mental preparedness, and confidence.
• Guardian Law Enforcement Training Defensive tactics program for law enforcement officers covering de-escalation, control techniques, firearm retention, and suspect restraint that comply with current use-of-force guidelines, co-developed with Chief Michael Foligno (Elmwood Park, NJ) and UFC fighter Jimmie Rivera.

Quantifiable outcome

• Burn 800-1000 calories per class
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• UFC Gym: UFC Gym is a martial arts and fitness franchise offering kickboxing, MMA, boxing, and jiu-jitsu classes in a similar subscription-based studio format, competing directly with Tiger Schulmann's for adult and youth members.
• TITLE Boxing Club: TITLE Boxing Club is a national boxing/kickboxing fitness franchise using a recurring membership model similar to Tiger Schulmann's, with comparable programs for adults focused on striking-based fitness.
• 9Round Fitness: 9Round is a kickboxing-themed fitness franchise operating on a monthly membership with locations across the US, directly comparable to Tiger Schulmann's adult kickboxing offering in format and target customer.
• iLoveKickboxing: iLoveKickboxing is a kickboxing fitness franchise selling group classes on a monthly subscription, competing for the same adult fitness customer segment as Tiger Schulmann's kickboxing program.
• Gracie Barra: Gracie Barra is the largest Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu franchise globally, offering structured jiu-jitsu instruction for kids and adults in a similar school/franchise model, directly competing with Tiger Schulmann's jiu-jitsu program.
• Premier Martial Arts: Premier Martial Arts is a multi-discipline martial arts franchise offering karate, kickboxing, and jiu-jitsu for kids and adults, very comparable in curriculum breadth and franchise delivery model.
• ATA Martial Arts: ATA Martial Arts is one of the largest US taekwondo and multi-discipline martial arts franchise systems, competing for youth and family enrollment with Tiger Schulmann's kids programs.
• American Top Team: American Top Team is an MMA-focused gym network offering striking, grappling, and BJJ instruction, directly comparable to Tiger Schulmann's adult MMA and jiu-jitsu product lines.
• Farrell's eXtreme Bodyshaping: Farrell's eXtreme Bodyshaping is a kickboxing and strength-training fitness franchise using a group-class membership model, competing with Tiger Schulmann's for adult fitness-oriented members.

Broad incumbents

• Crunch Fitness: Crunch Fitness is a national gym chain offering group kickboxing and martial arts-inspired classes as part of a broader fitness membership, competing for the same adult fitness budget with a wider facility footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/tsmma
• Facebookfacebook.com/TigerSchulmannsAstoria
• Instagraminstagram.com/tigerschulmanns
• TikToktiktok.com/@tigerschulmanns?
• Xx.com/tigerschulmanns

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Tiger Schulmann’s Martial Arts