Burning River Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

24000 Mercantile Rd Suite #9, Beachwood, OH 44122, USA

(31 reviews)

Disciplines

Gi Self-Defense

Classes

Adults Classes Black Belt Instruction Fundamentals Kids Classes

Facilities

Mat Space

Culture

Welcoming Environment

Access

Free Trial

Reviews

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Ethan Martin

Burning River is an amazing gym and community. Professor Ante is a fantastic teacher, he’s patient, supportive, and genuinely cares about each of his students, no matter their level. One of the best parts about training here is the culture: nobody has an ego. The higher belts are always willing to help beginners, and it creates such a welcoming, encouraging environment. Since joining, I’ve gained not only skills in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu but also confidence and a real sense of belonging. Highly recommend this gym to anyone thinking about starting their Jiu Jitsu journey.
Posted 11 months ago
Thomas J Rowley

I have been personally training with Professor Ante for over 3 years and I still learn new things each time I train. I’m a 47 year old dad that trains and I’ve always felt safe, supported and assisted along my journey. In addition, 2 of my children train and the kids coaches are next level! Please understand that this is a Jiu Jitsu family I hope to be a part of for the the rest of my life.
Posted 1 year ago
MWW1 Engineering & Prototype Services

Burning River BJJ is a wonderful place to train. Ante & his coaching staff are well educated, friendly, & extremely attentive / careful with all students (kids & adults), ensuring the "vibe" in the room is always positive and supportive. Accordingly, the people who train at Burning River tend to be of a similar ilk. My daughter & I have trained w/ Ante & his team for the past 4 years (I've been training BJJ for 10+ years & wrestled before that) and I can't imagine going anywhere else. I strongly recommend Burning River BJJ for anyone who is looking for great instruction and a supportive atmosphere.
Posted 1 year ago
Jada W

I started Jiu Jitsu 6 months ago with my best friend not realizing the impact it would have on me and how much I would truly love it! I give a huge thanks to the incredible instruction of Ante and the best community that comes with burning river. The atmosphere is welcoming, with people who are there to support you through your journey, (I am a clean freak) and the gym is always very clean and sanitary especially on the mats which is so important. It does not matter if you have any prior experience in martial arts, I had absolutely none coming into it, but good coaching makes the world of a difference in one’s comprehension, true understanding, and being able to follow through with the instruction. Burning river and the people I have met through learning this sport is not just a place that I train or people I train with, but a community of extended family now and a place I can call a second home that I am so grateful for!
Posted 1 year ago
Alex Shobe

Easily the best school in North East Ohio. The instruction is great and the culture is super welcoming. I would recommend this gym to anyone that wants to make Jiu-Jitsu a hobby or competitive career — especially kids!

Instructors Atmosphere
Posted 1 year ago
Anthony DiSantis

I’ve had the opportunity to train at multiple gyms over the years, and this place stands out as something truly special. What I appreciate the most is the stress- and drama-free atmosphere. Life brings enough stress, but here, I find a much-needed escape, a space for stress relief and connection with an amazing community. That’s not to say the training isn’t challenging—it absolutely is. The environment pushes you to grow and improve your skills in a way that’s safe and encouraging. Everyone here, from hobbyists to seasoned competitors, is welcoming and supportive. It’s rare to find such a friendly and egoless vibe in a martial arts gym. What’s even better is that I trust this academy so much, I’m thrilled to have my young children train here too. It’s the perfect environment for them to have fun, take on new challenges, and feel comfortable every step of the way. I couldn’t ask for a better place to train—both for myself and my family.

Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
Posted 1 year ago
Samir Rashed

Burning River Jiu-Jitsu is an excellent school if you’re interested in learning this fine art. It’s refreshing to see folks of all ages train and get better everyday. The most impressive aspect of the school is the culture. Everyone is kind, compassionate and readily available to help. This is leadership at its best! This is all due to Professor Ante. Come train!!

Instructors Facility Atmosphere
Posted 1 year ago
Melissa Evers

I became a part of the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community before I ever trained. I never felt like an outsider when it came to the community Ante created for his students when my husband began training. Eventually, I gave it a try. While I learn more than I win, Burning River BJJ and Ante Dzolic have become family over these last 10+ years. I am so happy to be a part of this and always hope more can experience the greatness that BJJ provides for mental health, physical health, and community.

Instructors Atmosphere
Posted 1 year ago
Jace Turner

Some of the best, down to earth and knowledgeable instructors! I couldn't ask for a better place for my son to grow and learn from some of the best!

Instructors
Posted 1 year ago
Casey White

Started training under Ante Dzolic in August 2017 after bringing my daughter in for the kids classes. Was instantly welcomed by the community he had built and quickly fell in love with the sport. Eventually started helping out with the kids program in June 2019 and found my calling. The atmosphere is family friendly and the instruction is top-notch. Would highly recommend Burning River BJJ to anyone.

Instructors Facility Atmosphere
Posted 1 year ago
Simon Shah

I’ve trained and ‘dropped in’ at a number of different schools across Europe and the US. Burning River is simply a great place to learn and train. Professor Ante is knowledgeable and passionate, and creates a welcoming and supportive environment. The members are friendly, making it easy to feel like part of the community. The school offers a variety of classes for all levels of experience, including kids. Whether you're looking to compete or searching for a fun and challenging way to get in shape and learn a new skill, check out Burning River BJJ.

Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
Posted 1 year ago
Christine Bryant

Burning River Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu offers a transformative experience, fostering growth both on and off the mats. Under the guidance of Professor Ante for the past two years, I've undergone significant development as a student, acquiring new skills and a deeper understanding of the art. As I continue to learn and refine my abilities, I've found a sense of purpose by helping coach the kids classes and sharing the experience with the next generation. Many are deterred from starting jiu-jitsu for self-defense, believing they must already be in peak physical condition. The most important reason to begin training is the belief you are worthy of protection. We all start as beginners embarking on this journey, I encourage everyone to come and experience the benefits of jiu-jitsu for themselves. Come train!

Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
Posted 1 year ago
Spencer Millard

First day, I was greeted and introduced to the class by Ante. Very educated on Jiu Jitsu and wants all of his students to succeed. Highly recommend this place to anyone looking to start or continue a Jiu Jitsu journey.

Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
Posted 1 year ago
Pete Velotta

The head instructor, Ante and kid’s coaches are incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and passionate about teaching Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. They create a welcoming and supportive environment for students of all levels, from beginners to advanced practitioners. The facility is amazing, bright, always clean, and well-maintained. There is a massive sense of community here – everyone is friendly, encouraging, and eager to help each other improve. You do not need “to be in shape first” to try BJJ. It’s really for everyone and this is the place to be no matter your goals.

Instructors Facility Atmosphere
Posted 1 year ago
Angela Funovits

Burning River is an excellent BJJ school here in Northeast Ohio that is home to students of all types, from casual hobbyists to serious competitors. I have been training under Professor Ante for the past two years and have only become more thankful with time that I lucked into learning jiu jitsu from such a genuinely good person. His teaching is exceptional, with a focus on technical proficiency, safety, and an authentic love for the art. He creates a truly inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome, regardless of their experience level or background. Moreover, he genuinely cares about his students and their well-being, which contributes to the family-like environment. The camaraderie and personal growth found in this gym are invaluable and are very much made possible by the thoughtful, experienced leadership!

Instructors Facility Location Atmosphere
Posted 1 year ago
Michael Evers

I’ve known Professor Ante for a decade. He’s always impressed me with his kindness, integrity, and knowledge. Ante created an incredible culture and community at Burning River Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Going there to train and coach is one of the highlights of my week. Whether you’re brand new to BJJ or you have years of experience, Burning River has a place for you.

Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
Posted 1 year ago