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Waterhouse Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy

5 ★★★★★ 10 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Hartville, Ohio

BJJ gym Free trial Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens

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
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule waterhousebjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 330-620-2585

Hours

Monday Closed
Tuesday 7:30–9 pm
Wednesday Closed
Thursday 7:30–9 pm
Friday Closed
Saturday Closed
Sunday 2–4 pm

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 Waterhouse Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 2 mentions

“My son has been a part of this school for four years I love it Matt Malcolmson is an amazing coach.”

All gyms that run kids bjj →

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 10 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 2 mentions

“My son has been a part of this school for four years I love it Matt Malcolmson is an amazing coach.”

From the reviews

My son has been a part of this school for four years I love it Matt Malcolmson is an amazing coach. They are not all about sucking money out of parents no belt fee no test fee price is reasonable and they focus on teaching these kids jiu jitsu period love this school

★★★★★ — Aaron, Dec 2020

An excellent place to train. Matt is an excellent instructor, I’ve really enjoyed learning from him.

★★★★★ — Tim, Mar 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 10 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Waterhouse Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy

Waterhouse Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy 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 Waterhouse Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy

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 Waterhouse Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy

880 Sunnyside St SW, Hartville, OH44632

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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.