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Soma Academy Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 52 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Centerville, 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 3–15) — 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
- Open mat open-mat rolling sessions for members to practice live — always optional and at your own pace
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule somajj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 937-503-7005
Hours
| Monday | 4–9 pm |
| Tuesday | 4–7:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 10:30 am–1 pm, 4–8:30 pm |
| Thursday | 4–8:30 pm |
| Friday | 10 am–1 pm, 5:30–8 pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“The kids have learned so much, not just about martial arts, but growing in confidence, listening skills, cooperation and determination.”
“Our family has been taking private lessons with Professor Strack for a year and a half, and it has been a great experience.”
“She has a blast during class and we really appreciate that she’s learning valuable life skills like self-defense, discipline, and character development.”
“The level of detailed instruction from both Professor and Instructor Garrett has been absolutely wonderful for me as a complete beginner.”
Other martial arts here
What members say
“The head professor Matt Strack is an excellent instructor who focuses on the technique as opposed to using brute strength and trying to man handle people.”
“The level of detailed instruction from both Professor and Instructor Garrett has been absolutely wonderful for me as a complete beginner.”
“After attending my first class and experiencing the extremely welcoming and friendly environment, I knew that I had chosen the right place.”
“Professor Strack and assistant instructor Garrett perfectly execute a curriculum centered on technique and efficiency that is clear, precise and comprehensible.”
“The focus at this school is Brazilian jiu-jitsu, more specifically Gracie style jiu jitsu.”
“The kids have learned so much, not just about martial arts, but growing in confidence, listening skills, cooperation and determination.”
From the reviews
I have been training at Soma Gracie Brazilian Jit-Jitsu in Dayton since June. Like a lot of women, I wanted to learn how to defend myself, but I was really nervous about making the leap and attending my first class. I quickly found that there was no reason to be intimidated!
Professor Matt Strack is a wonderful instructor with a gift for teaching. The level of detailed instruction from both Professor and Instructor Garrett has been absolutely wonderful for me as a complete beginner. Learning a martial art was something that I really wanted to do, but was extremely intimidated to start.
My training at Soma Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu of Dayton with Professor Matt Strack was absolutely the right decision when looking for a BJJ School in the Cincinnati/Dayton Ohio area. While Preparing for my first BJJ competition in Houston I was forced to come to Ohio on family business.
My husband, 8 year old son and 4 year old daughter all take Jiu-Jitsu at Soma and love it! The kids have learned so much, not just about martial arts, but growing in confidence, listening skills, cooperation and determination.
New to BJJ? Start at Soma Academy Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Soma Academy Gracie Brazilian 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 Soma Academy Gracie Brazilian 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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