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Blue Ridge Jiu Jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 23 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Mills River, North Carolina
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 (ages 3–12) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- No-gi no-gi grappling classes — training in a rashguard and shorts, with faster scrambles and a natural bridge to MMA
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule blueridgejj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 828-243-6277
Hours
| Monday | 9–10 am, 5–9 pm |
| Tuesday | 5–9 pm |
| Wednesday | 5–9 pm |
| Thursday | 5–9 pm |
| Friday | 9–10 am |
| Saturday | 10 am–12:30 am |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“They do great kids lessons, my kids are always asking when the next class is , always excited, they cannot wait to be there!”
“Josh is one of the best coaches and competitors I’ve ever had the privilege to train with.”
“Whether you are a hobbyist, competitive, or just looking to stay fit with some self defense, this the the place to be.”
“My husband and I recently got to check out this gym for the first time and we loved the atmosphere and people here!”
Other martial arts here
“I left an mma gym format and started training BJJ with Josh Heath 8 years ago.”
“My son has recently joined this program for Judo and it has been a great all around experience!”
What members say
“I had trained with Josh and Sam years ago and I can say they are great instructors and even better people.”
“My husband and I recently got to check out this gym for the first time and we loved the atmosphere and people here!”
“Great training and everyone is very welcoming, so definitely check it out!”
“The instruction from Coach Josh was excellent and very detailed.”
“Josh is one of the best coaches and competitors I’ve ever had the privilege to train with.”
“Jiu jitsu has given my son more than just physical skills — it’s given him confidence, focus, and strength.”
From the reviews
Really Great Judo and jitsu program. Self-defense is also apart of the syllabus. Tons of drilling time to learn techniques. Lead instructor meets with his students to develop their game. Overall really great environment, and excellent place to train. Would recommend.
Josh is a stand up guy and is doing great things at blue ridge BJJ. Would for sure recommend his program if you want a grappling academy with an emphasis on judo
I dropped in while on vacation, which is something I try to do whenever I travel. Being a stranger to the area, it was easy to pass up because it’s a little off the road, but no problem really. The facilities/mats were very clean, which is important when visiting a gym you don’t know.
I honestly can’t put into words the profound impact jiujitsu has had on my life. If I tried to, Josh Heath would be one of the very first people mentioned. He is a great coach, competitor, and friend. He genuinely cares about the advancement of each one of his students on and off the mat.
New to BJJ? Start at Blue Ridge Jiu Jitsu
Blue Ridge 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.
Your first BJJ class at Blue Ridge 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.
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