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Rising Tide Academy (Finksburg)
5 ★★★★★ 173 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Finksburg, Maryland
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
- 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
- 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 risingtidemartialarts.us — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 612-388-2426
Hours
| Monday | 6–8 am, 12–10 pm |
| Tuesday | 12–10 pm |
| Wednesday | 6–8 am, 12–10 pm |
| Thursday | 11 am–10 pm |
| Friday | 6–8 am, 12–10 pm |
| Saturday | 11 am–4 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“If you’ve been considering self defense training for yourself or children, don’t hesitate to drop in for a trail class.”
“Students of all walks of life, from stay at home parents who are looking for a hobby to competitors alike share the mat for a wonderful learning experience.”
“Whether doing a group class, or a private lesson, you're in good hands.”
“I’ve participated in a couple of their Women’s Self Defense workshops and Mike Stewart is a phenomenal trainer/instructor.”
“Challenged, and at ease, all the same, not as concerned about floundering or looking like what I am, a base beginner.”
Other martial arts here
“Great BJJ program and growing muay Thai program with Ben and myself as coaches.”
What members say
“Challenged, and at ease, all the same, not as concerned about floundering or looking like what I am, a base beginner.”
“This place is a family, and everyone is treated with respect including this old lady.”
“Students of all walks of life, from stay at home parents who are looking for a hobby to competitors alike share the mat for a wonderful learning experience.”
“Training, for both my son and myself, at Gracie Jiu Jitsu Maryland has been such a positive experience.”
“The academy is clean, and has a great location just off of the 140 and 91 in Finksburg.”
“I’ve participated in a couple of their Women’s Self Defense workshops and Mike Stewart is a phenomenal trainer/instructor.”
From the reviews
I walked into the academy some 10 months ago and have never had anything but amazing experiences there. The mats are always clean. The instructors are amazing at their art and are always so helpful. The owners Mike and Jordan are very friendly and approachable at all times. This place his truly become home.
I can't get enough of this place! The instructors are professional, yet laid back and relaxed. I've never once felt uncomfortable. They go out of their way to make sure new students are paired with good partners to help them learn quickly.
My 6 year old son has been attending classes at the Academy for about a year and I recently signed up my 4 year old son. Mike, Jordan and the rest of the instructors are very passionate and knowledgeable about what they do. They are also very patient with the young kids.
My six year old daughter loves the program at this school. The instructors are excellent: they are very good with kids and really know their craft. There are at least three instructors for each class, so the kids get a lot of individual coaching. The kids have fun and learn a lot.
New to BJJ? Start at Rising Tide Academy (Finksburg)
Rising Tide Academy (Finksburg) 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 Rising Tide Academy (Finksburg)
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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