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True North Martial Arts

True North Martial Arts

5110 reviews
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About True North Martial Arts

At True North Martial Arts in Tacoma, we offer a genuine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training experience built on solid fundamentals and long-term athlete development. Located in the heart of Tacoma, our gym welcomes adults of all backgrounds and experience levels—whether you're a complete beginner stepping onto the mat for the first time or an experienced grappler looking to sharpen your skills. We're an independent academy focused on creating a sustainable path for people who want to train seriously without the pressure of a massive organization.

Our training philosophy centers on technical precision and controlled progression, where every class builds methodically on the previous one. Our instructors bring years of mat experience and a commitment to teaching techniques that work in real rolling, not just in demonstrations. The atmosphere here is supportive and focused—you'll find training partners who push you to improve while respecting your boundaries and pace, regardless of your skill level.

We run regular adult BJJ classes throughout the week, designed to fit working schedules and accommodate both fundamentals-focused beginners and intermediate to advanced grapplers. If you're looking for a tight-knit community where technique matters more than ego, where you can train at your own pace without getting lost in the crowd, True North Martial Arts is where serious students of the art come to grow.

Reviews

5
110 reviews
JUN
2025-12-21

I’ve trained at True North Jiu Jitsu Academy and can confidently say it’s one of the best gyms around. The coaches are extremely knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely care about each student’s progress, whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced practitioner. The environment is welcoming, clean, and very respectful, which makes it a great place for both adults and kids. Classes are well structured, challenging, and always focused on real technique and safety. You can really tell this academy has been built with passion and years of experience. Highly recommend True North Jiu Jitsu to anyone looking for high-quality training and a strong community.

Fraser Dodich
2025-12-20

This is the place !! If you want to teach your kids to excel at life in a safe and kind envoronment this is the place to go! And if you want to get into a really healthy hobby as an adult without running into guys with egos or attitiudes like some other clubs this is a really great and family oriented club. I just cant say enough good about True North Jiu Jitsu. An amazing environment to learn !

Anna Kwok
2025-12-20

A couple of months ago, I decided to try Jiu Jitsu, mostly out of curiosity and with a half-closed mindset. I honestly didn’t think it would become a long-term passion but I couldn’t have been more wrong. After finishing my very first one-hour class, I already wanted to come back the very next day. The coaches are incredibly knowledgeable, patient and supportive. The coaching style and the overall gym environment are on another level, everyone is welcoming, friendly, and genuinely encourages one another. I now train regularly, along with attending kickboxing classes and my son is also registered in Jiu Jitsu. As a busy mom, I really appreciate that I can bring my kids with me while I train, the gym even has a lounge area where they can relax during class. Highly recommend this gym to anyone looking for a supportive, empowering training environment.

Omar Khan
2025-12-28

I started my jiu-jitsu journey at at True North Jiu Jitsu Academy for 7 years, and overall it was a great experience. The owners and instructors genuinely care about their students and work hard to create a respectful, welcoming environment on the mats. Training is well structured and challenging without being overwhelming. I appreciated the academy’s proven success in developing high-level MMA fighters. It’s clear that their approach to jiu-jitsu translates extremely well to real fighting and MMA contexts, and that level of technical depth benefits everyone in the room, not just competitors. You’re learning jiu-jitsu that actually works. Add their focus on overall health with yoga, sauna, cold plunge and strength training programs. You have a one stop shop for health, fitness and self-defense.

amanda k
2026-01-24

True North Jiu-Jitsu Academy was an incredibly welcoming and friendly place. I took my children there yesterday to try it out, and they had an amazing time. The atmosphere was comfortable and positive, the people were very kind, and everything felt well organized and supportive. There were snacks and drinks available, which was a thoughtful touch, and overall it felt like a beautiful community. My kids left smiling and excited. We will definitely be returning!

Frequently Asked Questions

DO I NEED EXPERIENCE TO START TRAINING BJJ?

Not at all! True North Martial Arts welcomes complete beginners. We offer introductory classes specifically designed to teach the fundamentals of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in a safe, supportive environment. Everyone starts somewhere, and our coaches will guide you every step of the way.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR TO MY FIRST CLASS?

For your first visit, comfortable athletic wear such as shorts and a rash guard works perfectly. Once you train regularly, you'll want a gi (BJJ uniform). We train gi here — our coaches can point you toward the right gear.

IS THERE A FREE TRIAL CLASS?

Yes! We encourage you to try a class before committing. Contact True North Martial Arts to schedule your complimentary intro class and experience our training environment for yourself.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I TRAIN AS A BEGINNER?

Most beginners see strong progress training 2-3 times per week. Consistency matters more than volume early on. As your conditioning improves, many students increase to 4-5 sessions per week.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET A BLUE BELT IN BJJ?

On average, dedicated students earn their blue belt in 1-2 years of consistent training. Progression depends on mat time, active learning, and open rolling. Each stripe reflects real skill growth.