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Center For Traditional Martial Arts
5 ★★★★★ 21 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Zanesfield, Ohio
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 5) — 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
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule cftmartialarts.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 937-592-0036
Hours
| Monday | 5:30–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 5:30–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 5:30–9 pm |
| Thursday | 5:30–8 pm |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“Sensei Smith is tough and has high expectations, but it's easy to see he genuinely cares for all the kids in the class.”
“He has grown in self confidence and has learned so many self defense techniques.”
Other martial arts here
“Our boys have been gone to Karate and BJJ classes for five years and they enjoy the atmosphere and the instruction.”
What members say
“Great family, friendly environment for your kids to learn, grow and burn off some energy.”
“I truly believe that through karate, both of my kids have learned discipline,leadership,and confidence that has helped them both to be successful in school and life.”
“He has gained a great deal of confidence.”
“I truly believe that through karate, both of my kids have learned discipline,leadership,and confidence that has helped them both to be successful in school and life.”
From the reviews
Very friendly, love the price and flexibility. My 5yr old looks forward to class every week and gets mad at me when we miss a class. They work very well with the young ones and are very patient with them. Great place to sign your kid up especially if they are full of energy.
Sensei Ron Smith is an amazing teacher and person. He changed my kids life. Learning karate was the best thing that has happened to both of my kids. My daughter Emily and my son Michael both lost their central vision when they were 10 years old and could no longer play organized sports due to blind spots in their…
We are very happy with the Center for Traditional Martial arts and what it has done for Ben. In just a little over a year he has gained confidence and has also learned a lot. Sensei Smith is tough and has high expectations, but it's easy to see he genuinely cares for all the kids in the class. Highly recommend.
Great family, friendly environment for your kids to learn, grow and burn off some energy. Our boys have been gone to Karate and BJJ classes for five years and they enjoy the atmosphere and the instruction. Highly recommended!
New to BJJ? Start at Center For Traditional Martial Arts
Center For Traditional Martial Arts 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 Center For Traditional Martial Arts
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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