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TheDOJO

4.9 ★★★★★ 36 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Rutherford, New Jersey

BJJ gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens

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 4–6) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule thedojo.org — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 201-933-3050

Hours

Monday 3–8 pm
Tuesday 3–8 pm
Wednesday 3–8 pm
Thursday 3–8 pm
Friday Closed
Saturday 9 am–12 pm
Sunday Closed

Hours shift for holidays, seminars, and open-gym times — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

BJJ classes on the schedule at TheDOJO, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 29 mentions

“The Dojo is a perfect place that provides excellent education for children, not only for their physical development but also their mental development.”

All gyms that run kids bjj →

🛡️ Self-Defense 2 mentions

“Through my years at the dojo I have learned so much, including but not limited to discipline, respect, humility, self defense, etc.”

All gyms that run self-defense →

Other martial arts here

BJJ gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at TheDOJO — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🎽 Karate 5 mentions

“The staff treats us as family: The karate lessons extend past punching and kicking; They have learned important life lessons.”

Other gyms that also teach karate →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the gym's own info — they show what members have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want MMA, muay thai, or wrestling alongside your BJJ, confirm the current schedule with the gym.

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 36 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 2 mentions

“Sensei Dan is truly a great instructor.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 4 mentions

“The staff treats us as family: The karate lessons extend past punching and kicking; They have learned important life lessons.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 2 mentions

“I’ve seen tremendous improvement in discipline, confidence, and technique in my daughter.”

🧒 strong kids program 3 mentions

“Sensei Dan is great with kids, giving individualized attention, being a role model for the children, showing great values, and gives care to their learning and development.”

🧼 clean, well-kept mats 3 mentions

“The facility is clean, classes are well-structured, and every student receives personal attention.”

🧠 builds confidence & discipline 13 mentions

“Through my years at the dojo I have learned so much, including but not limited to discipline, respect, humility, self defense, etc.”

From the reviews

As someone who has trained in the past at other martial arts schools before I found this one, I can 100% say that this is one of the best I've had the honor of training in. Sensei Dan is truly a great instructor. The staff is very knowledgeable and hard working.

★★★★★ — Jesse, Apr 2018

This place is out of this world! Sensei Dan is such a professional and so good with kids! My daughter has been attending for couple weeks now and the change on her is huge! She is more focused, happier and so much more confident! Jackie is amazing, always so helpful and so great with kids as well!

★★★★★ — Lizie, Aug 2022

Bringing my son to the Dojo has been a true pleasure, I hope to continue seeing my son in Sensai Dan's class for many years to come. The discipline he teaches the young kids is just at the perfect level, he's very firm and has a great level of patience with kids.

★★★★★ — Ken, Oct 2020

The DOJO is a great martial arts school for both children and adults. You can learn how to defend yourself, and unlock your physical and mental potential, in a safe and friendly environment. Sensei Dan Rominski is an exceptionally talented martial artist and wonderful teacher.

★★★★★ — Francis, Aug 2017

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 36 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at TheDOJO

TheDOJO 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.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first BJJ class at TheDOJO

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.

BJJ is a contact sport. Ease in, tap early and often, listen to your coaches, 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 TheDOJO

52 Park Ave, Rutherford, NJ07070

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