Best BJJ Gym in Heath and Newark, Ohio — What to Look For | 10th Planet Newark
Best BJJ Gym in Heath and Newark, Ohio — What to Look For
Choosing a jiu-jitsu gym is one of those decisions that looks simple on the surface and turns out to matter a lot. The wrong room can set you back months. The right one can change the direction of your life.
If you're in the Heath or Newark area and looking for a BJJ gym, this post covers what actually matters when you're evaluating your options — and what most people overlook until it's too late.
Instructor credentials — not just belts
A black belt means someone has put in time. What it doesn't tell you is who promoted them, how they were tested, or whether they can actually teach.
In Brazilian jiu-jitsu, lineage matters. The techniques you learn trace directly back to the person who taught your coach, who learned from their coach, all the way back to the source. A black belt promoted after six years of serious competition and instruction is a different thing from one handed out after a weekend seminar.
When you're evaluating a gym, ask who promoted the head coach. Ask where they competed. Ask if they're still actively training and rolling — not just teaching from the sideline.
At 10th Planet Newark, Coach Jon Borrows was promoted directly to black belt by Eddie Bravo on May 14, 2022 — the only person Eddie has ever promoted in Central Ohio. Jon competed at the IBJJF No-Gi World Championships as a brown belt and placed bronze. He trains with the adults every week and teaches every kids class personally. He's not a figure who shows up to collect tuition. He's on the mat.
The curriculum — is it a real system or a collection of techniques?
There's a difference between a gym that teaches jiu-jitsu and a gym that teaches a system.
A random collection of techniques leaves you with disconnected tools and no framework for putting them together under pressure. A real system gives you a way of thinking about the game — positions that chain together, concepts that apply across situations, and a clear path from beginner to advanced.
10th Planet is a complete no-gi system built by Eddie Bravo specifically for submission grappling and MMA. Rubber guard, lockdown, twister, electric chair — these aren't random techniques. They're a connected framework that's been tested at the highest levels of no-gi competition for over two decades.
When you train at 10th Planet Newark you're not picking up random moves. You're learning a system that compounds over time.
Class schedule — does it actually fit your life?
The best gym in the world is useless if you can't get there. Before you commit to anything, look at the schedule and be honest about when you can realistically train.
A gym that runs one adult class per day at 6 PM is going to lose you the first week you work late. A gym with early morning, midday, and evening options gives you enough flexibility to stay consistent when life gets complicated.
At 10th Planet Newark, adult classes run at 5:30 AM, 10:00 AM, and 6:45 PM across six days a week — twelve adult classes per week total. If you can't make one, there's always another option without breaking your rhythm.
The culture — who else is in the room
You will become the average of the people you train with. That's not motivational poster language — it's just true. A room full of ego, reckless sparring, and people trying to hurt each other will either injure you or push you out. A room full of people who are serious but not toxic will make you better faster.
Ask to watch a class before you sign up anywhere. Pay attention to how people treat beginners. Watch how sparring rounds end — do people help each other up or walk away without a word. Notice whether the senior students coach the new ones or just tap them repeatedly and move on.
The culture at 10th Planet Newark was built deliberately. We have members who drove from Columbus and Zanesville when there was no closer option. We have families where the parent started, loved it, and enrolled their kids. We have students who competed at their first tournament after six months. The room works because the people in it make it work.
Kids programs — if that's what you're looking for
If you're a parent looking for a kids program, the evaluation criteria shift slightly. You're not just looking for good jiu-jitsu. You're looking for a coach who understands kids, a structure that keeps them engaged, and an environment where your child actually wants to come back.
Watch how the head coach interacts with kids specifically — not just adults. Some excellent adult coaches have no patience for the six-year-old who won't stop looking at the ceiling during warmups. That's not a character flaw. It's just not the right skill set.
At 10th Planet Newark, Coach Jon teaches every kids class personally. He's been doing it since 2015. The kids program runs three age-specific groups — Little Ninjas ages 4-5, Kids ages 6-8, and Youth ages 9-13 — so your child is always training with kids their own size and maturity level.
Pricing and contracts — know what you're signing
Some gyms lock you into 12-month contracts with cancellation fees buried in the fine print. That's their right. It's also worth knowing before you sign.
Month-to-month is better for beginners who aren't sure yet. Annual is better if you're committed and want to save money. Either way, make sure you understand exactly what you're agreeing to before you hand over a credit card.
At 10th Planet Newark, memberships are month-to-month with no long-term contract. Cancel anytime before your next billing cycle. There's a one-time $75 signup fee for new monthly members and no fee on the annual plan.
Location — is it actually convenient
Heath and Newark are close enough that most people in Licking County can reach either. But the difference between a 10-minute drive and a 25-minute drive is the difference between training consistently and finding excuses not to go.
10th Planet Newark is located at 409 S 22nd St, Suite 6 in Heath — a short drive from downtown Newark, Granville, Pataskala, Johnstown, and surrounding areas. Free parking directly in front of the building.
The honest answer
There is no single best gym for everyone. The right gym is the one where the instruction is legitimate, the culture is healthy, the schedule fits your life, and you actually want to go back after your first class.
If you're in the Heath or Newark area and want to find out if 10th Planet Newark is the right fit, the easiest way is to come in and train. Your first class is completely free. No drop-in fee, no sales pitch, no commitment.
Show up, see how it feels, and decide from there.
10th Planet Newark | 409 S 22nd St Suite 6, Heath OH 43056 | (740) 520-0112
Serving Newark, Heath, Granville, Pataskala, Zanesville, Johnstown, and Mount Vernon.
