ADULT BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU
Adult No-Gi Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Newark & Heath, Ohio
Train real grappling under the only Eddie Bravo black belt in Central Ohio. Twelve adult classes per week, mornings and evenings. Beginners welcome - your first class is free.
The Benchmark for Central Ohio
Est. 2015 • 12 adult classes per week • Eddie Bravo black belt instruction • 80+ five-star Google reviews
BUILT FOR ADULTS WHO SHOW UP
Forget Everything You Think a BJJ Gym Looks Like
Most people picture a BJJ gym as a room full of jacked 20-somethings silently choking each other out and sizing up new people. That's not 10th Planet Newark.
Our mats are packed with a diverse mix of adults who just want to train hard and get better. You're rolling with electricians, programmers, parents, teachers, and former wrestlers. Many walk in completely out of shape with zero martial arts experience.
Worried about being the worst in the room? You might be on day one. But by week three, you won't be - that's how the process works. From your very first class, you'll be paired with senior teammates who slow down to help you learn. No one is thrown to the wolves.
THE 10TH PLANET CURRICULUM
What You'll Actually Train
The adult program is built exclusively on Eddie Bravo's no-gi system, designed for self-defense, MMA, and modern competition. This is the exact same legitimate 10th Planet curriculum used in academies worldwide.
Real Technique, Drilled to Reflex
Position, escape, and attack taught in clear chunks so you actually retain it. We don't show you 30 moves and throw you to the wolves.
Live Rolling Every Class
After technique, we roll with resisting partners. Beginners go light, advanced competitors go hard. You dictate your own intensity.
Modern No-Gi
the curriculum at 10th Planet Newark evolves with the sport. You'll drill what's actually winning right now at the highest levels of competition.
A system proven at the highest levels of IBJJF No-Gi Worlds and inside the MMA cage. It works in elite tournaments, and it works in real life.
PROMOTED BY EDDIE BRAVO HIMSELF
The Only Eddie Bravo Black Belt in Central Ohio
In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, lineage is everything. You cannot fake a black belt under Eddie Bravo. There are no online belts, no twelve-week pay-to-certify programs, and no shortcuts. Earning this rank requires relentless training, peer recognition, and a promotion from a very exclusive group of legitimate teachers.
Coach Jon Borrows has spent over 20 years on the mats. After proving himself at the highest levels including taking home a bronze medal at the IBJJF No-Gi Worlds as a brown belt. He was officially promoted to black belt by Eddie Bravo on May 14, 2022.
Jon is the only person Eddie has ever promoted in this region. When you train at 10th Planet Newark, this is the elite lineage you stand with.
Black Belt
ADULT-ONLY SCHEDULE
12 Adult Classes Per Week
Flexible timings to fit your life. Train before work, after work, or Saturday mornings. Plus, Friday Open Mat and Saturday boxing.
| Day | Time | Class |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 5:30 AM | Adult BJJ (1 hr) |
| Monday | 6:45 PM | Adult BJJ (1 hr) |
| Tuesday | 10:00 AM | Adult BJJ (1 hr) |
| Tuesday | 6:45 PM | Adult BJJ (1 hr) |
| Wednesday | 5:30 AM | Adult BJJ (1 hr) |
| Wednesday | 6:45 PM | Adult BJJ (1 hr) |
| Thursday | 10:00 AM | Adult BJJ (1 hr) |
| Thursday | 6:45 PM | Adult BJJ (1 hr) |
| Friday | 5:30 AM | Adult BJJ (1 hr) |
| Friday | 6:00 PM | Open Mat (all members, all levels) |
| Saturday | 8:30 AM | Boxing with Coach Artie (1 hr) |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM | Adult BJJ (1 hr) |
Found a class that works? Your first one is free.
BEFORE YOUR FIRST CLASS
Here’s What Actually Happens in a Class
Most beginners imagine they'll be thrown to the wolves on day one. Here is the exact breakdown of a typical 1-hour class. You will drill safe movement patterns, practice techniques at low intensity, and finish with controlled positional sparring. You'll be sore the next day. By week two, you won't.
01
Warm-up (10 min)
Light drills (hip escapes, shrimping, technical stand-ups) to build essential movement patterns.
02
Technique Demo (15 min)
Coach shows the move of the day, breaks it into 3-5 steps, then partners drill at low intensity.
03
Positional Sparring (10 min)
Start in a specific position (e.g., side control) and try to escape or hold. Lower stakes than full rolling — perfect for beginners.
04
Live Rolling (15 min)
Free sparring from a neutral position. Beginners go light; anyone can tap and reset. Rounds last 4-6 minutes.
05
Cool Down + Questions (5 min)
Coach answers questions, the room talks shop. You leave tired and smarter.
NO GI, NO POINTS, NO KATA
Why We Train No-Gi
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu traditionally relies on the gi, the heavy cotton uniform that gives you collars and sleeves to grip. We respect the gi, but we choose to train without it.
No-gi is faster, scrappier, and closer to modern mixed martial arts and real-world self-defense. Instead of grabbing fabric, you learn to control bodies using underhooks, overhooks, and leverage. It forces you to be sharp, technical, and realistic with your movement.
The 10th Planet system was built for no-gi from the ground up. Techniques like the rubber guard, lockdown, and twister side control aren't adaptations of gi techniques—they were engineered specifically for a game where friction and fabric are stripped away. Whether you're a total beginner or a seasoned gi competitor looking to adapt, you learn the modern game from day one.
REAL FEEDBACK
From the Mats
You could not ask for a better head instructor than Jon. His teaching is incredibly technical and his attention to detail is sharp. If you are obsessed with learning the proper techniques to maximize your skills, this is the place to be.
Amazing gym. Great instruction. Jon and the other coaches are friendly, helpful, and always helping students improve. I have been training here for 2.5 years and we love it.
MEET YOUR COACH
Coach Jon Borrows
With over 20 years on the mats, Coach Jon Borrows is the only Eddie Bravo black belt in Central Ohio - promoted directly by Eddie on May 14, 2022.
Raised right here in Newark and a proud Newark High School graduate, Jon opened 10th Planet Newark in 2015 with one mission: to bring elite no-gi BJJ to his hometown.
A proven competitor with an IBJJF No-Gi Worlds bronze medal as a brown belt, Jon doesn't just coach from the sidelines. He is on the mats every single week with the adults - coaching, drilling, and rolling.
ADULT TRAINING FAQ
Common Questions From Adult Beginners
I'm out of shape. Can I keep up?
Yes. Most people who walk through our doors are out of shape. You scale your own intensity. The first three weeks are the hardest, but your body adapts quickly.
I'm in my 40s or 50s. Is this for me?
Absolutely. We have many members training in their 50s. Jiu-jitsu technique scales to your physical attributes, and Coach Jon emphasizes age-appropriate positions that protect your body.
I have zero martial arts experience.
Most of our members started exactly that way. Our curriculum is built specifically for adult beginners to learn from scratch. You won't be expected to know anything on day one.
Will I get hurt?
Like any contact sport, there is a risk. However, we mitigate this through safe drilling, a culture of "tap early, tap often," and pairing beginners strictly with experienced, controlled senior teammates.
Do I have to compete?
No. The vast majority of our members never compete. Competition is completely optional. If you want to step on the competition mats, we will support you, but it is never required.
Can I train without sparring?
You can dial the sparring intensity down to a light flow, but live rolling is a core part of jiu-jitsu. Our goal is to have everyone training safely on the mats, not sitting out. You are always in control of your pace.
How long until I stop getting smashed?
Honestly? About 6 to 12 months. You will be surviving by month three, occasionally tapping others by year one, and helping brand new people survive by year two. It is a process.
What is the difference between this and gi BJJ?
Gi jiu-jitsu uses the traditional kimono, allowing grips on the clothing. We train exclusively no-gi (rashguards and shorts), which relies on controlling the actual body. It is faster, scrappier, and translates directly to MMA and real-world self-defense.
Do you offer self-defense classes?
Every jiu-jitsu class we teach functions as self-defense. We do not teach choreographed routines; we teach you how to control fully resisting opponents, which is the only reliable form of self-defense.
How does the free trial work?
Your first class is 100% free. There is no drop-in fee, no high-pressure sales pitch, and no commitment. Just show up, train, and see if it is right for you.
Stop Thinking About It.
Show Up.
Your first class is free. No commitment. Most members started exactly where you are right now.
10th Planet Jiu Jitsu Newark
409 S 22nd St Suite 6
Heath, OH 43056
(740) 520-0112
MEMBER LINKS
© 2026 10th Planet Newark. All rights reserved.