Riptide Martial Arts Academy

36 Persimmon St Suite 303, Bluffton, SC 29910, USA

4.8 (90 reviews)

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Riptide Mixed Martial Arts Academy's goal is to help everyone reach their fitness and martial arts goals—from beginner level students interested in learning fundamental techniques to advanced level. Bluffton, South Carolina

https://www.riptidemma.com/

(843) 422-6641

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Reviews

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Maddie Kopjanski

Female athlete, here. Family friendly gym with an amazing atmosphere. John had a great detailed oriented no-gi session. Would attend again.
Posted 12 months ago
Sebastian Tolés

Was here while visiting SC. The gym environment is friendly and welcoming to all skill levels. Highly recommend to anyone looking to train in the area. The instructor John is very knowledgeable and passionate about teaching and keeps up with modern techniques.
Posted 1 year ago
Del Humenik

I have 2 kids at Riptide. They are both diving in and learning real life discipline and self defense. The coaches are so good with small kids. My son hugs the coaches as much as he fights. I can’t wait to watch them grow . Thanks Riptide
Posted 1 year ago
Chris Gutierrez

Just passing through town for a night and got the chance to stop in! Everyone was super welcoming, and John is super enthusiastic about teaching. Loved the environment here I hope to stop in again soon
Posted 1 year ago
Jared

Was in town visiting from CT. Great atmosphere, very welcoming. Highly recommend.

Atmosphere
Posted 1 year ago
Lisa Henry

My daughter is now 10 years old and loves the kids classes. I appreciate the multiple classes per week, so I have plenty of options for her schedule! It has also been great for her self esteem and confidence.

Classes
Posted 1 year ago
Alan Smith

Great experience! Visiting area on vacation, amazing facilities/ atmosphere, John was very welcoming, can’t wait to visit again!

Instructors Facility Location Atmosphere
Posted 2 years ago
Thomas Engelman

Meant to write this review sooner, but I was caught up with the drive back home. Great atmosphere and group of guys. Everyone one is super welcoming and kind. The instructor is hilarious and a really knowledgeable guy. If you’re planning on stopping by a jiujitsu place for vacation or signing up for a gym this is your place.

Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
Posted 2 years ago
Nathan McCallum

Thos place has done incredible things for my 3 children. The professor is very knowledgeable and great with kids.

Instructors
Posted 2 years ago
Landon Bohinc

Very welcoming and kind. Dropped in for a free class while on vacation. Training partners, coach, and owner were all very nice and made it very easy. Recommend! Jesus bless✌️✝️

Instructors Classes Atmosphere
Posted 2 years ago
Scott Ducharme

Im on a business trip in Hilton Head and needed to get my MMA/Muay Thai/BJJ fix. Coach/Owner John Juarez at Riptide Martial Arts Gym Bluffton SC is the spot. You will be inspired by this coach.

Instructors Facility Classes Location Atmosphere
Posted 2 years ago
Michael DiBella

I dropped in to train jiu jitsu at Riptide MMA while on vacation and had a great experience. John (owner) was very welcoming and operates a very clean and well-run MMA facility. His students were great training partners and learned some details on techniques that will definitely improve my jiu jitsu. Highly recommend training at Riptide MMA!

Instructors Facility Atmosphere
Posted 2 years ago
Jonathan Vince

I had a great experience here. I came in from out of town and needed a place to train and John allowed me to come in for classes and open mats whenever I could. The coaches there are very encouraging and knowledgeable. They are very inviting and help create a community feel. The students are quite skilled and that reflects the quality of their instruction. I loved their Brazilian Jiujitsu and Muay Thai classes. They’re a good workout if you want to get some cardio in and they teach the skills needed for self defense or competition. Being here helped me find things I can improve upon, and in my short time there, I learned a bunch of new techniques and details. I have nothing but positive things to say. If you are looking for an MMA studio with quality training, this is the best around. Definitely will be back when I’m in the area again.

Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
Posted 2 years ago
Michael Phelps

Dropped in while on vacation in HHI. Everyone was super welcoming, class was top notch, and the rolls were tough. Couldn’t ask for more!

Instructors Classes Atmosphere
Posted 2 years ago
Charles Tolliver

Stopped in to train while on vacation. Gym is super clean, well maintained, and great atmosphere.

Facility Atmosphere
Posted 2 years ago
Ryan Smith

Awesome experience dropping in on our vacation!!

Facility Location Atmosphere
Posted 2 years ago
Anthony Maggard

Solid teaching and one of the friendliest group of guys I've ever trained with.

Instructors Atmosphere
Posted 2 years ago
Brett Gernertt

BIG THANKS to Riptide Martial Arts Academy and John Juarez for letting me train with them. I love training and learning from people way better than me. I will definitely come back every time I'm in South Carolina!

Instructors Facility Location Atmosphere
Posted 2 years ago
Jonathan Ciffer

Went down to visit my aunt in Hilton head last year. The owner of the gym was super kind and let me train at the gym! Looking forward to coming back on my next visit,

Instructors Location Atmosphere
Posted 2 years ago
Nathan Becker

I visited here while on vacation to Hilton Head. Had a very warm welcome from all the practitioners and the head instructor was fantastic. His instruction was terrific and very up to date with the latest and greatest techniques of the best competitors in the world. I highly recommend everyone check out Riptide MMA

Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
Posted 2 years ago
Myles Robinson

Was able to stop in and train during my recent vacation. I am an undefeated pro mma fighter and was pleased to find an amazing gym. The facility was clean with plenty of mat space, bags, and cardio equipment. Great environment for learning, knowledgeable coaching, and pleasant training partners. Really thankful I was able to find such a great place to train.

Instructors Facility Atmosphere
Posted 3 years ago
D. Rice

I've been training at Riptide for about a year and a half now. Great coaches, great classes, great sense of unity and community. I'm happy to be a part of the Riptide family.

Instructors Classes Atmosphere
Posted 3 years ago
RideBmx AllDay

Everyone was inviting and friendly from start to finish. This is a phenomenal place to start your martial arts journey.

Instructors Atmosphere
Posted 3 years ago
Robert Weisenfeld

I visited from NY last week. Grappling Instruction was very useful. Mat space is amazing and has bags and weights if that’s what you are looking for. Rolls were good and hard but still technical. Professor is extremely welcoming. Facility is clean with a ton of mat space. If you’re in the area I highly recommend you give it a try!

Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
Posted 3 years ago
radiotor_LIVE

Amazing place and a amazing environment!

Atmosphere
Posted 3 years ago
Dale Welsh

Great place to train! I dropped in for a couple BJJ classes and both were great. Great detailed instruction, big class size, and a fun group to roll with. They also have a shower which is a plus if you have a long drive after training. John and Carter were both awesome and I can't wait to come back next time I go to Hilton Head.

Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
Posted 3 years ago
Life of A Fighter

Great facility, people and training partners! I’ll be back every year when on vacation in Hilton head!

Instructors Facility Location Atmosphere
Posted 3 years ago
Corinne Gray

Visiting for the week from northern Virginia and my son was able to join a BJJ class. Nice to find a welcoming MMA community so far from home.

Instructors Facility Classes Location Atmosphere
Posted 3 years ago
zimmzpub

Riptide Martial Arts Academy is a great place to train. My son and I were in town and came in for a Jiu Jitsu class. Coach John's instruction was fantastic and he made sure everyone had the moves down before moving on to the next technique. He welcomed us in as if we were one of his regular students. We will definetly be attending classes next time we are in town. Thank you so much Riptide for your hospitality. Hope to see you soon!

Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
Posted 3 years ago
Sophia Rosenberg

Dropped in for a no-gi session while on vacation in the area. Had a great time and some good rolls!

Instructors Facility Location Atmosphere
Posted 3 years ago
Stephan Van Der Merwe

I was able to drop in and train with John, and his crew of savages last week when I was in Hilton Head. One of the most welcoming gyms I've ever stepped foot in. Both the facilities and the instruction are top notch! I had planned to train with them all week, but had to leave unexpectantly. I will definitely be back next time I'm in the area!

Instructors Facility Location Atmosphere
Posted 3 years ago
Greg Mihokovich

I can’t say enough nice things about John and the crew at Riptide. I’ve been training with them while visiting family in Bluffton, and I’ve been having an absolute blast. Great people, great atmosphere, I highly recommend checking them out!

Instructors Facility Location Atmosphere
Posted 3 years ago
Isaiah Gomez

I came to Hilton Head for a family vacation and needed a place to train. Dropped in at Riptide MMA and glad that I did. Very laid back atmosphere from both the instructors and students. The rolls and hospitality was great. If you are ever in the area, I would highly suggest you train here. I can't say enough good things about the place and everyone. Thanks a lot for the rolls and company.

Instructors Facility Location Atmosphere
Posted 3 years ago
Dustin Fisher

Riptide mma is awesome. John and his crew are so welcoming. I am visiting from out of town and stopped in to get a workout! John was a friend from the second I met him! If you live near them and want to try jiu jitsu or mma then this is the place to join! If you are visiting then this is the place to train at while on your vacation. I would give this place 6 stars if I could! Two thumbs up to John for creating such an awesome place for everytone to train at. Riptide has set a very high standard for martial arts academies. OSS!

Instructors Facility Location Atmosphere
Posted 4 years ago
Bekka Parent

Great place to train, and everyone is incredibly friendly!

Instructors Facility Atmosphere
Posted 4 years ago
Angelo A

In from out of town, Riptide made me feel like family and invited me to train at the studio. John the owner is a great guy and gave me some great pointers. The rest of his staff are professional and attentive. Can’t wait to be here full time so I can join as a full time member!

Instructors Facility Location Atmosphere
Posted 4 years ago
J. Smith

I was on vacation with my family at a resort on Hilton Head Island. My two older kids and I do BJJ, and we didn't want to go a full week without anything (if you do BJJ, you probably understand). I had brought my gi with me so I called this place up to see about dropping in for a class. The owner was really friendly and told me and my son to swing by for the night classes (kids class first, then the adult class immediately after). It was a quick 20-min or so drive from the island. My son said he really enjoyed the kids' class. The adult class was exactly what I am used to back home - demonstration and drilling of at least one technique by a very competent upper-belt, and then plenty of time for live rolling. I was able to get in 5 solid 5-minute rolls with folks with different experience levels (although I think all of them outranked me). In my case I ended up rolling with guys about my size, but there were also women and teens in the class. I cannot comment on the other types of martial arts they teach here, but from my experience I would say that they definitely provide what's necessary for someone to become proficient at Brazilian jiu jitsu.

Instructors Facility Classes Location Atmosphere
Posted 4 years ago
shane f

Great gym, qualified instructors. really enjoyed the style of teaching and rolls after class. 10/10 would recommend

Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
Posted 4 years ago
Cole Pelphrey

Great gym! Great people teaching the art of fighting 🤙

Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
Posted 4 years ago
Tc Newlin

Had the pleasure of dropping in for a month. Great instruction, clean, and well run. Lunchtime class was full of great people. No egos and very welcoming.

Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
Posted 5 years ago
Jarrod Eyler

Great class, friendly training partners, five stars all the way!

Instructors Atmosphere
Posted 5 years ago
Matt Muchnok (Matt)

Was in town on a family vacation and luckily found this gym - would have went every day if I could. Was an honor and a pleasure rolling here... can't wait to use a couple new moves back home, haha!

Instructors Facility Location Atmosphere
Posted 5 years ago
Jon Eddinger

A very clean and friendly gym. I came in for nooner bjj, and plan to return.

Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
Posted 5 years ago
Team MCBC

Awesome place. I’m in from out of town, wanted to keep training as I’m not a beach person. Both coaches were very clear and concise. Everyone treated me great, the culture they have is top notch. Stoked to have found this place!

Instructors Facility Location Atmosphere
Posted 5 years ago
Ranndi Grubbs

My husband and I had a great night training and rolling at Riptide while on vacation at HHI! John was an awesome coach! And the athletes were so much fun to roll with! We will be back again next year!

Instructors Facility Location Atmosphere
Posted 5 years ago
Max Lauro

I was in town (from Louisiana - Checkmat BJJ) visiting family this week and popped in to Riptide for a jiu jitsu class. Professor John and the team welcomed me with open arms and gave me a fantastic workout. Great training format, atmosphere, and comradery. Will definitely return to Riptide when I'm back in town.

Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
Posted 5 years ago
Ken Mayo

Lots of great knowledge delivered at a comfortable pace and an awesome, welcoming group environment for all ages and experience levels. 10/10 reccomend Riptide! 👊🏽👍🏽

Instructors Atmosphere
Posted 5 years ago
D K

Absolutely fantastic! I’ve been trying to loose weight and get back in shape, but after several failed attempts at diets and gyms around town, I’m thrilled to say that I’m back at Riptide. I’ve just been back for a couple of weeks and have already seen an improvement all around. The classes they offer are for all levels, from beginners to advanced. I personally like the cardio sessions, that’s perfect for me and it’s got the right balance of intensity to keep the calories burning. Coach John and his staff are fantastic and they truly care. They will motivate you to push yourself, which makes it a lot easier to achieve your fitness goals. .

Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
Posted 5 years ago
bali hoag

Great place to visit came while on vacation and guys were super friendly and helpful!!

Instructors Location Atmosphere
Posted 5 years ago
Susana Rivero

John is the best Coach!!! Excellent boot camp 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻

Instructors Classes Atmosphere
Posted 5 years ago
Cheryl Alexander

I went to Aerial Elements inside the mma studio. Such fun and Lorrie is a great teacher.

Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
Posted 5 years ago
joanne rushin

Coaches are amazing. Positive role models and provide kids with discipline and encouragement!

Instructors
Posted 5 years ago
Jason Alexioj

Great facility to get a sweat on. John is excellent with a great sense of humor! Highly recommend it 100%

Instructors Facility Atmosphere
Posted 5 years ago
Justin Klinesmith

Had some good rolls and about the only gym that would let me drop in giving the times ! 🤙 oss

Facility Location
Posted 5 years ago
Sky Gamer

Great youth wrestling program!!! Come try it.

Classes Atmosphere
Posted 6 years ago
Marian Hsu

Great environment to train with friendly atmosphere. Very welcome to visitors vacationing in the area. Definitely recommend training here when on the island.

Instructors Facility Location Atmosphere
Posted 6 years ago
Chip Tucker

Grandson Owen love's it..John is great with kids..Would definitely recommend them

Instructors Atmosphere
Posted 6 years ago
David Olguin

👍

Atmosphere
Posted 6 years ago
Victoria D'Anthony

Riptide Martial Arts is an impressive facility. It is clean, organized and offers a wide arrangement of classes. Professor John's attention to detail and commitment to teaching martial arts and inspiring fitness is evident. As a martial artist and fitness advocate, I appreciate the way he runs his business. The jiu jitsu classes are accessible to students of all experience levels and the fitness classes are fun and offer great conditioning! would definitely recommend.

Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
Posted 7 years ago
TheMAL3L

Un gran lugar para niños a mi hijo le encantan las clases ademas de aprender respeto y mucho mas que defensa personal

Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
Posted 8 years ago
Susanna Noblett

A great gym for people of all ages, backgrounds, and ability levels.

Facility Location Atmosphere
Posted 8 years ago
Roger Fanti

These folks are were very accommodating. We are from out of town on vacation and my daughter has an up coming BJJ tournament coming up. They were graceful enough to let her train with them. They are very knowledgeable and have great students. They even invited us back to train with them over the weekend. Thank you very much. She had a great time.

Instructors Facility Classes Location Atmosphere
Posted 8 years ago
Sydney Aldridge

John is a great coach and runs a really great gym. I attend the Fitness classes and it's always a good time!

Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
Posted 8 years ago
R T

I do Jiu Jitsu there. Coaches John, Joe, and Kyle are very good at explaining things. The training partners are really cool. My positional skills, takedowns, and leg lock game has gotten way better since I started around a year ago.

Instructors Facility Atmosphere
Posted 9 years ago
Lorrie Lancaster

Great gym, super clean (I am a germaphobe so that is uber important for me, plus with the mat oriented classes is so important) and John is a great teacher! Loved the krav maga self defense class💖👍😃!!

Instructors Facility Classes
Posted 10 years ago
James McMorrow

Riptide has impressive facilities and very competitive rates. Instructors are knowledgeable and their teaching style makes it easy to learn. A wide variety of classes are offered. As a law enforcement officer, my goal is to gain practical skills that are applicable off the mat. I highly recommend Riptide MMA.

Instructors Facility Classes Pricing
Posted 11 years ago
Dan Graham

The Teachers for the kids program are great. The customer service not so much. My child opted for baseball instead of MMA, and the cancellation process was a little ridiculous. Had to call 3 different numbers and send various emails. And they continue to charge you for 30-days after you request cancellation. Also, the only programs they have require a 6-month contract. So just make sure your child is fully committed!

Instructors Pricing
Posted 3 years ago
Chris M

While finishing up a semester at school, I signed up for Riptide MMA. At first everything was fine, signed a 6 month contract because I thought I had some time. Then I graduated and started the process of building a business, and I could no longer find the time of going. I am not even in town for over half the month from travel and other obligations. After not showing up for close to 2 months, I tried calling and asking to stop payments because I was no longer able to go due to starting a business, the owner refuses to help (after getting a free 200$) and then tells me he will continue to charge me for the rest of the contract (another $200, free money) because "its a six month contract", not even trying to listen to me. He is forcing me to pay 600$, for only about a month and a half of actual training. The owner is petty, and greedy. Put a bad taste in my mouth. so BEWARE ALL PARENTS OR POTENTIAL MMA STUDENTS. When making a contract here, just know that there is literally no excuse that they will work with you on if something comes up and you want to stop your contract. Finish a semester at school and want to start a business? To bad. If your schedule changes at all in 6 months? To bad.

Instructors Pricing Atmosphere
Posted 13 years ago