HomeTennesseeClinton › Mad Science Judo and Jiu-Jitsu

Mad Science Judo and Jiu-Jitsu

5 ★★★★★ 30 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Clinton, Tennessee

BJJ gym Free trial Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens Competition team

Affiliated academy — reviews and the gym's own info point to a recognized BJJ lineage or affiliation (think Gracie Barra, 10th Planet, Renzo Gracie, Alliance, Atos or Checkmat). If lineage matters to you, ask which affiliation the academy belongs to and under whom the head instructor earned their black belt.

Plan your first class

  • Free trial or intro class most gyms welcome new members 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 BJJ classes — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Women's classes dedicated women's BJJ classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
  • Open mat open-mat rolling sessions for members to practice live — always optional and at your own pace
  • Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule madsciencejudoandjiujitsu.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (865) 440-2210

Hours

Monday 9 AM–9:15 PM
Tuesday 6 AM–9:15 PM
Wednesday 6 AM–9:15 PM
Thursday 6 AM–9:15 PM
Friday 6 AM–8:30 PM
Saturday 9 AM–4 PM
Sunday Closed

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 Science Judo and Jiu-Jitsu, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

📘 Fundamentals 2 mentions

“Ted is a highly experienced and generous instructor focused on deep fundamentals -- old school angular jiu jitsu -- which is an approach that I respect and appreciate.”

All gyms that run fundamentals →

🧒 Kids BJJ 6 mentions

“Awesome programs in several martial arts disciplines for kids, women, and men.”

All gyms that run kids bjj →

🏆 Competition Team

“Although Ted will support those that want to compete, he won't pressure you into doing it.”

All gyms that run competition team →

🔓 Open Mat

“I visited an open mat on Friday, and immediately felt a good vibe the moment I walked in from the instructor and a couple of his students.”

All gyms that run open mat →

🛡️ Self-Defense 4 mentions

“The BJJ instruction is grounded solidly in the fundamentals of both self defense and competition depending on what you want to train on.”

All gyms that run self-defense →

🌱 Beginners 3 mentions

“The cultural is respectful and supportive of all levels of skill, age and gender.”

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 Science Judo and Jiu-Jitsu — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🦵 Kickboxing 5 mentions

“His kickboxing instruction is phenomenal and focuses on getting your upper body to work in harmony with your lower body through drills, pad work, and sparring.”

Other gyms that also teach kickboxing →

🤼 Judo 8 mentions

“If you are looking at trying Jiu-Jitsu for you or your child in the oak ridge/ Knoxville area, I highly recommend trying mad science judo and Jiu-Jitsu.”

Other gyms that also teach judo →

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 30 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 10 mentions

“Ted ( the black belt instructor) treated me like a valued member of his academy and personally showed me some techniques I could improve while rolling with him.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 8 mentions

“If you are looking for high level self-defense and a welcoming atmosphere than Mad Science is the place to be!”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 17 mentions

“If you are looking for high level self-defense and a welcoming atmosphere than Mad Science is the place to be!”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 5 mentions

“Ted is a highly experienced and generous instructor focused on deep fundamentals -- old school angular jiu jitsu -- which is an approach that I respect and appreciate.”

active competition team 2 mentions

“The BJJ instruction is grounded solidly in the fundamentals of both self defense and competition depending on what you want to train on.”

🧼 clean, well-kept mats 3 mentions

“Family friendly environment, clean, safe, and very technical.”

From the reviews

I knew Mad Science Judo and Jiu-jitsu had a good reputation, but was glad to experience it first hand! If you are looking for high level self-defense and a welcoming atmosphere than Mad Science is the place to be! Coach Chittenden and his academy is highly recommended!

★★★★★ — C, May 2021

I started at Mad Science as a new bjj white belt at age 46. Six years later and I'm still there, about 5 days a week. Ted, the head coach, is a great person and a top level instructor. He has cultivated a warm and friendly culture that inspires people to want to show up and learn.

★★★★★ — David, Dec 2024

I was looking for a place to train while I was on a business trip to Oak Ridge. I contacted coach Ted and he was responsive and welcoming. Had a great experience rolling at Mad Science! Coach Ted and his students were all good people and fun to train with. I'll be back the next time I find myself in the Oak Ridge area.

★★★★★ — Christopher, May 2019

Great training location conveniently located in the heart of the secret city. I trained there for two days while visiting family in Oakridge and could not be more impressed with the quality and depth of knowledge the instructor brings from his 30+ years of martial arts experience.

★★★★★ — Sean, Jan 2019

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 30 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Mad Science Judo and Jiu-Jitsu

Mad Science Judo and Jiu-Jitsu 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.

See their beginner class info

Your first BJJ class at Mad Science Judo and Jiu-Jitsu

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 Science Judo and Jiu-Jitsu

381 Market St, Clinton, TN37716

Get directions

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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.