Your Questions Answered

Absolute beginners are our most common new enrollment. Zero prior training is needed — none at all. Our coaches are experienced at working with first-timers of every age, background, and fitness level. The first class is always free, so you come in, try it, see if it feels right, and there’s no pressure whatsoever to join. Most people are genuinely surprised by how welcoming the atmosphere is from the moment they step through the door.

The minimum age to join our kids programs is 4 years old. Our Champs class is designed for children ages 4 to 6, while the Lions class serves ages 7 to 12. Adult classes begin at 13 and up. All classes are subdivided further by size and skill level, so your child is always working with appropriately matched training partners in a safe, structured environment.

Athletic clothes are all you need for your first class. No uniform is required until you decide to join — comfortable shorts and a t-shirt work perfectly fine. Please keep fingernails and toenails trimmed before coming in — this is an important courtesy to your training partners. After joining, a gi (the traditional uniform) is required for gi classes.

Jiu-jitsu is a close contact martial art, which means taking care of yourself is also taking care of your training partners. We ask that all members and guests follow these basics:

Personal hygiene matters. Shower before training when possible, and always arrive clean and fresh. Trim your fingernails and toenails regularly — this is a safety issue, not just a preference.

Wash your gi and training clothes after every single class. Every class. No exceptions. Bacteria and odor build quickly in training gear and affect everyone on the mat.

If you are sick or feeling under the weather, stay home. We mean this sincerely — no one will question your commitment for taking care of yourself and respecting your teammates. Come back when you feel well.

These are not rules we enforce with punishment. They are the standard of a gym that takes its community seriously. We appreciate everyone who trains here holding that standard.

Mat and gym cleanliness is something we take seriously and pride ourselves on — because in a contact sport, it is not optional.

The Grove undergoes a quarterly sanitation inspection and professional service performed by Germbusters, a dedicated gym and facility sanitation company. We have never failed an inspection.

Our mats are sanitized at minimum once at the end of every day there is class or activity. No exceptions.

To learn more about Germbusters and their sanitation standards visit germbusters.net.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has no striking of any kind. It is a ground-based grappling art built entirely around leverage and control. Children’s classes use age-appropriate progressions — the Champs class for ages 4 to 6 focuses entirely on movement games, fundamental body mechanics, basic positions, and strategy. The Lions class for ages 7 to 12 introduces technique progressively as kids are ready for it. Our coaches are specifically trained to create safe, structured environments for young students. Parents are always welcome to observe from the sidelines.

We offer flexible membership plans for individuals and families. Contact us for our full membership guide or book a free trial below.

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BJJ is particularly well-suited to shy children. The individual nature of learning technique takes social performance pressure off entirely — there’s no team that’s counting on you to be “on” today. Our coaches are experienced with different personalities and temperaments and genuinely enjoy working with quiet, introverted kids. Many of our most confident students were painfully shy when they started. The mat is a place where showing up is the only requirement. The confidence builds naturally — and it tends to show up in other areas of life too.

• Champs BJJ — ages 4–6. See kids program details.
• Lions BJJ — ages 7–12. See kids program details.
• Adults/Teens BJJ — ages 13 and up. See adults program details.
• Private Lessons — by appointment. Contact the coach or professor you wish to train with directly for availability and rates.

All programs offer both gi and no-gi training opportunities.

We are located at 11143 Harlem Rd, Ste 450, Richmond, TX 77406. The academy is conveniently situated in Fort Bend County and easily accessible from Katy, Sugar Land, Missouri City, and the greater Houston area. Whether you’re coming from just down the road or making the drive from across the county, you’re welcome here.

Yes, we are a full Renzo Gracie affiliate academy. This affiliation means a specific standard of instruction and culture that we hold ourselves to every class. As a member of Renzo Gracie The Grove, you also gain access to participating Renzo Gracie affiliate academies across the Houston area — all on a single membership.

Yes, women train at all class times alongside everyone else. The Grove has a welcoming, family-friendly culture where every person is respected and looked after. Several women are regular members across both gi and no-gi classes and have been training here since we opened. If you’d prefer to come and observe a class before stepping on the mat yourself, you are absolutely welcome to do that too. Just come in and introduce yourself. We also offer a dedicated Women’s Class every Friday from 6:30 to 7:30 PM — a focused session in a supportive environment. All experience levels welcome.