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Chris Waddell's Martial Arts

4.7 ★★★★★ 12 Google reviews · Taekwondo school in Lenoir City, Tennessee

Taekwondo school Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens

Affiliated school — reviews and the school's own info point to a recognized taekwondo organization or franchise (think ATA Martial Arts, Kukkiwon certification, World Taekwondo, or ITF). If credentials matter to you, ask which association the school belongs to and where the head instructor earned their black-belt (dan) rank and certification.

Plan your first class

  • Kids & teens classes kids and teens taekwondo classes — built around discipline, focus, confidence, and anti-bully skills
  • Beginner-friendly all ages and levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
  • Today see hours ·
  • Phone +1 865-405-1499

Hours

Monday 5–8 pm
Tuesday 5–8 pm
Wednesday 5–8 pm
Thursday 5–8 pm
Friday 5–7 pm
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed

Hours shift for holidays, belt tests, and tournaments — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

Taekwondo classes on the schedule at Chris Waddell's Martial Arts, confirmed in students' own reviews and the school's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Taekwondo 8 mentions

“I am about to send my kid there Baylee Stevens and and she wont stop talking about it she LOVES that place and she hasn't even been yet so I'm am going to bring her there soon”

All schools that run kids taekwondo →

Other martial arts here

Taekwondo schools are often multi-discipline. Here's what else students mention training under the same roof at Chris Waddell's Martial Arts — mined from their reviews and the school's own info.

🤼 Jiu-Jitsu 2 mentions

“Professor Chris is an experienced martial artist to include being a 1st Degree Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.”

Other schools that also teach jiu-jitsu →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the school's own info — they show what students have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want hapkido, karate, or judo alongside your taekwondo, confirm the current schedule with the school.

From the reviews

Mr. Waddell is excellent with all levels, teaches them to have fun, not give up, and to respect themselves and each other.

★★★★★ — Mary, May 2021

Professor Chris is an experienced martial artist to include being a 1st Degree Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He makes concepts and techniques easy to learn and always make sure his students feel welcome and appreciated. You’re going to work hard but you’re going to learn so much. It’s worth it!

★★★★★ — Clint, Apr 2026

Great coaches, great culture, great Gym. I highly recommend. They are good for beginners or experienced people. Chris does a good job at answering any questions we have and students are very helpful as well.

★★★★★ — Anthony, Dec 2025

I am about to send my kid there Baylee Stevens and and she wont stop talking about it she LOVES that place and she hasn't even been yet so I'm am going to bring her there soon

★★★★★ — Dani, Jul 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 12 reviews →

New to taekwondo? Start at Chris Waddell's Martial Arts

Chris Waddell's Martial Arts comes up as a beginner-friendly school, going by their listing and students’ reviews. If you've never trained or set foot in a dojang, 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 instructors scale the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard sparring — reputable schools build fundamentals (stances, blocks, kicks, and basic forms) for weeks, sparring eases in gradually and with gear on, and instructors keep it controlled and safe. Third, all ages and 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. Most schools are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.

Call about beginner classes: +1 865-405-1499

Your first taekwondo class at Chris Waddell's Martial Arts

Nervous about walking into a taekwondo school for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good instructors 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 stances, blocks, and kicks with a partner or on pads — not hard sparring. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: loose athletic wear you can move in (or a dobok if you have one); you'll train barefoot on the floor. What to bring: water and a positive attitude — many schools lend a loaner dobok for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll get your own dobok and belt, and sparring gear (mouthguard, headgear, and guards) once you begin sparring. Sparring eases in gradually, once your fundamentals and forms are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the instructor. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.

Taekwondo is a martial art and a contact sport. Ease in, listen to your instructors, 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 Chris Waddell's Martial Arts

515 US-321 Scenic, Lenoir City, TN37771

Get directions

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