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Mad Max's Academy (MMA)

5 ★★★★★ 25 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Columbus, Ohio

BJJ gym Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons Competition team

Plan your first class

  • 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 BJJ classes — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Private lessons private, one-on-one coaching available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
  • Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule madmaxacademymma.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (708) 557-0118

Hours

Monday 9 AM–3 PM
Tuesday 4–7 PM
Wednesday 9 AM–3 PM
Thursday 4–7 PM
Friday 9 AM–3 PM
Saturday Closed
Sunday 4–7 PM

Hours shift for holidays, seminars, and open-gym times — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

BJJ classes on the schedule at Mad Max's Academy (MMA), confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

📘 Fundamentals 4 mentions

“From teaching you the basics on your first day, to walking with you into the fire of competition, there isn’t a better person to learn from and build with.”

All gyms that run fundamentals →

👤 Private Lessons

“I’ve been doing personal training with Max for almost a year now.”

All gyms that run private lessons →

🌱 Beginners 3 mentions

“Excellent coaching, Max really cares and can help your fitness/fighting skills regardless if you’re a first timer in a gym or a professional level fighter”

All gyms that run beginners →

Other martial arts here

BJJ gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at Mad Max's Academy (MMA) — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🏟️ MMA 3 mentions

“Would seriously recommend him to anyone wanting to learn MMA or anyone who needs a personal trainer.”

Other gyms that also teach mma →

🥊 Boxing

“I worked with Max to put together a private birthday boxing event for my boyfriend and his friends, and it was an absolute hit!”

Other gyms that also teach boxing →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the gym's own info — they show what members have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want MMA, muay thai, or wrestling alongside your BJJ, confirm the current schedule with the gym.

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 25 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 6 mentions

“Excellent coaching, Max really cares and can help your fitness/fighting skills regardless if you’re a first timer in a gym or a professional level fighter”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 4 mentions

“From teaching you the basics on your first day, to walking with you into the fire of competition, there isn’t a better person to learn from and build with.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 7 mentions

“From teaching you the basics on your first day, to walking with you into the fire of competition, there isn’t a better person to learn from and build with.”

🧠 builds confidence & discipline 2 mentions

“The atmosphere is fun and nonjudgmental while still focused and engaging enough to see results.”

From the reviews

I worked with Max to put together a private birthday boxing event for my boyfriend and his friends, and it was an absolute hit! Max guided everyone through a variety of punches and combinations, keeping the energy high and the vibe fun throughout.

★★★★★ — Olivia, Oct 2025

A great team and coach! No matter what level you are in your training career, this is a great place to train. Different level fighters across the board all with respect for each other that embodies a culture of hard work and discipline but accepts everyone from new to advanced and will allow everyone to get the work…

★★★★★ — Dillon, Jun 2025

Worked with Max for a year and he is an amazing fighter and coach who 100% knows everything that it takes to win in life, be a great fighter, and also be the best version of yourself physically and mentally. Would seriously recommend him to anyone wanting to learn MMA or anyone who needs a personal trainer.

★★★★★ — Dylan, Jun 2025

Max is a great coach, teaching real fundamentals that anyone can observe him use in his fights. Being able to learn from him and see him demonstrate in his own career is very motivating. Also cares about all of his guys and his team, which has been very successful thus far.

★★★★★ — Jason, Jun 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 25 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Mad Max's Academy (MMA)

Mad Max's Academy (MMA) comes up as a beginner-friendly gym — noted on their own site. If you've never rolled or set foot on a mat, 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 coaches scale the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard rolling — reputable gyms build fundamentals (positions, escapes, and basic submissions) for weeks, live rolling eases in gradually, and tapping early keeps every roll safe. Third, all levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or fundamentals class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out, and leave your ego at the door. Most gyms are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first BJJ class at Mad Max's Academy (MMA)

Nervous about walking into a BJJ gym for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good coaches expect 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 positions and escapes with a partner — not hard sparring. Rest 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 on the mats. What to bring: water and a mouthguard if you have one — many gyms 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 (or a rashguard and shorts for no-gi) and a mouthguard. Live rolling eases in gradually, once your fundamentals are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the coach. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.

BJJ is a contact sport. Ease in, tap early and often, listen to your coaches, 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 Mad Max's Academy (MMA)

317 Marshall Passage, Columbus, OH43215

Get directions Instagram

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this gym? Claim your listing — it's free.