Rising Tide Academy (Finksburg)
2970 Dede Rd, Finksburg, MD 21048, USA
The Highest Rated Martial Arts School in Maryland for Gracie Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai for kids and adults
2970 Dede Rd, Finksburg, MD 21048, USA
The Highest Rated Martial Arts School in Maryland for Gracie Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai for kids and adults
I can honestly say joining Rising Tide was one of the best decisions I’ve made. And not just because I now walk around like I’m in a slow motion action movie. Mike and his brother have built something special. It’s serious when it needs to be serious. The training is legit. You will get humbled. Frequently. By people half your size. It’s a beautiful thing. But it’s also one of the most welcoming, comfortable environments I’ve ever been in. Whether you’re 8 years old, 48 years old, brand new, or training for competition, you feel like you belong. No ego. No weird energy. Just good people trying to get better. The culture is strong. The coaching is intentional. The room is competitive but supportive. It’s the kind of place where you get choked out and then get advice on how to fix it. That’s love. And let’s address the obvious. Since I started training here, I’ve dropped a ton of weight. I move better. I feel better. My confidence is up. I’m basically 27 again, but with wisdom and better hair. Am I saying Rising Tide made me significantly more attractive? I’m just saying the evidence is overwhelming. If you’re thinking about training, stop thinking and just show up. You’ll get in shape. You’ll build discipline. You’ll meet great people. And you might accidentally become the best version of yourself in the process. Five stars. Would absolutely get strangled here again.
Posted 6 months agoThis place is awesome. As someone who is new to Jiu Jitsu they are very welcoming, and willing to teach. I feel like I learn a lot in just 1 hour of class. I recommend for anyone looking to try out Jiu Jitsu. I won’t go anywhere else.
Posted 7 months agoBeing an older first time martial artist, I was hesitant about the environment and how I would feel working with younger and much younger students and how they would respond to working with me. No Worries. This place is a family, and everyone is treated with respect including this old lady. Thanks Rising Tide. You've encouraged me to want to do bjj for as long as my body will allow.
Posted 9 months agoExceptional staff and coaches. Very clean facilities. Top notch training and welcoming environment. If you’ve been considering self defense training for yourself or children, don’t hesitate to drop in for a trail class. It may be one of the best decisions of your life.
Posted 1 year agoMike has done an excellent job along with the other instructors in growing the programs, and school. Proud to be a student of the martial arts programs to continually learn and grow.
Came to my first no gi class tonight. Everyone there was so friendly and welcoming. Facility is nice and clean. Atmosphere is fun and cheery. As the only female, I was truly impressed with the manners and care each grappler had while rolling with me (I’m small). The knowledge each person shared during our rolls was pretty kind as well. I really love this place! Mike does an outstanding job to keep this operation a well-oiled machine. This place is special! Oh and they have a super fruit bowl food truck right outside (Friday night) to compliment the workout!
My daughter and I love training here! Mike and his amazing team have built an amazing community to be part of. Come see what you’re missing
Did a BJJ seminar with Rener and Brian Ortega many moons ago here. Had a great experience in unknown territory.
Great experience, great gym!
Great students, instructors and people. It's a fun community to be part of.
The staff is hands down the best. My son loves each and everyone of the trainers ! I can't praise coach TODD enough, to see our son grow in jiu jitsu the way he has is crazy ! Kids learn to protect themselves and become bully proof. If you are looking for a program to help your kids self-esteem, this is it ! Thank you, David
Rising Tide has been an excellent experience for my daughter. She has a great time and learns not just jujitsu, but patience and respect as well.
Gracie Jiu JItsu Maryland is the best martial arts school in Columbia, and Carroll County. Well, anywhere really! The quality of training is superior to other gyms i have trained with. I, personally have trained with Grand Master Relson Gracie for many hours and I can validate that this gym indeed does teach authentic Gracie jiu jitsu. The best self defense system in the world. 2022 review:. Still here 8 years later and the gym has evolved into Rising Tide Academy and become even better. We have UFC fighters coming to train with us, black belts from all over the world.
Rising Tide offered me a membership while I was on military orders in Reisterstown. I could not have been more happy with the level of professionalism and quality of instruction. Coach Mike presented instruction in a manner that was relevant and very realistic. I felt that all the training was conducted in a positive and safe manner. The fellow students obviously embrace this atmosphere, as I never had anything but positive interactions with them as well. I will certainly seek training from them again when I'm back in that area!
There are no gimmicks here.
Great group of people teaching great martial arts!
Love this place
Been doing BJJ over 10 years met Mike close to when I started and in that time he's created a ninja factory under Relson Gracie!!! Highly recommended!!!
If you like the feeling of being on a team or being part of a family, come train at Rising Tide. Everyone there, instructors included, leave their egos at the door to create a great environment to learn jiu jitsu.
Great academy, super clean place. I have been training 1.5 years and I 've been in both locations and they have the best instructors in the area.
Way more than just a place to "workout”. I joined in August of 2020 and didn’t know what to really expect. The coaches are well trained in their craft, but there’s more to it than that. The coaches care about their students and it’s made it a culture of caring amongst the challenges to grow. The students and coaches are great to train with, everyone is humble and we all work as a team to help build each other up. They have proper safety measures in place during these times to make the environment a great place to be as well. The class times are perfect for me because I can come to class as early as 7AM on certain days, and also they have afternoon and evening classes as well. No matter if you are looking to compete, go further on your path, or you are just getting started, you won’t regret being part of the team culture at Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Maryland in Finksburg/Columbia. Thanks for everything so far. Antonio G.
Mike and his staff are top notch. Incredible diversity in classes. Great students. Huge value. Love this place.
Class act altogether. Staff are professional and knowledgeable. Rates are reasonable. Plenty of classes and opportunities to learn and make friends. I’d highly recommend this place.
Love the dojo! My son enjoys his classes and the instructors are great
Mike is the man! I am a 2nd degree black belt under Rodrigo Mederios and I have trained all over the place. This school is run by professionals 100%! If you our you child need a clean, safe environment to train this is the place!!!
I have trained with Mike, Jordan and their employees since 2015. You will not find a more knowledgeable, safe, or student oriented facility in the region. I highly recommend this business!
Awesome facility with awesome teachers! Can't go wrong! If you see a less the 5 star review it's because the person that wrote it needs to work on themselfs
Top notch instructors and service. I highly recommend.
I have known Mike and Jordan 20+ years. Trained with both, watched the school grow and witnessed them do everything they can to make the community at large in multiple locations safer. This school is like whetstone to sharpen skills for survival. They treat their students with utmost respect and challenge them to be their best and stay on track in many facets of life.
By far the best Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai school in the area. Super professional and respectful owners and teachers!
My sons have been training at Rising Tide for a little more than 2 years now. They have a great time, and have learned so much. What has impressed me more than anything is the quality of instruction. It's obvious that the instructors are there because they are passionate about Jiu Jitsu, not because it's just "a job". They watch very closely, and are quick to hop in when a technique needs to be corrected, all while building the students up, and having a great time. Highly recommend the team at Rising Tide.
Awesome academy! Great instructors, real BJJ!
Great place and good people. Check them out
What a tremendous dojo. I’ve only visited a few times, but each time am taken back by how positive my experience is. The dojo is always clean. The classes are well planned and organized. And the coaches are a wealth of knowledge. I’ve had wonderful experiences with coaches Mike, Jordan and Stephen. Highly recommend!!!
Tradition, Technique, Quality, and super clean. Rising Tide Academy is tops in my book.
Best place to learn jiujitsu in a professional, clean, and controlled environment.
Great school. Excellent instructors. Very positive atmosphere with training partners who constantly help me grow—in jiu jitsu and life.
Rising Tide is a great place to train. The instructors are professional, knowledgeable, and disciplined. It doesn’t take long to feel like family.
Top notch instruction and attention to the details that make a technique effective.
Mike and the crew are amazing. Felt like family from day one ! Can’t wait until I can get back in the mats.
Great dude runs the place
Clean, high quality instruction and super useful life skills. My daughter has been here since kindergarten and to watch her self confidence grow over the last 5 years is amazing. I was able to start training about a year ago and only wish I had been able to start sooner.
Mike Stewart is an amazing instructor and human being if you're in the Finksburg area make sure you check him out
I put off lessons for years and I’m regretting every second! The staff is super knowledgeable and friendly. The dojo is immaculately clean and inviting to knew people! If you are procrastinating like I did, stop and come in today!!
Great place to train!
This place is amazing. Mike, The owner, will go out of his way to help you out. Great people all around! Amazing BJJ.
Wonderful Jiu-jitsu academy run by a great martial artist. You can't go wrong with this academy!
Great people doing good for the community!
Very professional and caring with students and parents. Very knowledgeable in the sport. Encourages good character with students.
Rising Tide is top notch! I’ve participated in a couple of their Women’s Self Defense workshops and Mike Stewart is a phenomenal trainer/instructor. Very knowledgeable, professional, and down to earth. I’ve a habit of being self-conscious whenever I’ve jumped into a new venture outside of my element, from my first interaction to present, I’m completely at ease there. Challenged, and at ease, all the same, not as concerned about floundering or looking like what I am, a base beginner. I appreciate the straight talk and how humble and inclusive the Rising Tide community is. Everyone I’ve been fortunate enough to interact with is skilled, patient and very grounded. I also love how pro-active and supportive they are of our local community and fellow small businesses. I look forward to more classes with them! They are more than mere lip service, they also lead by example. Thanks Mike (and everyone else at Rising Tide) for making such a positive impact on myself and our community at large. 🤩💜🤩
AWESOME program here!!!! If I could give 10 stars, I would. Dedication at it's finest with the most amazing owner and staff members. If you are looking for quality training, caring, motivation, learning and experience at it's best, I HIGHLY recommend Mike Stewart and his team at Rising Tide Gracie Jiu-Jitsu!!!! ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
Very clean and professional facility. The instructors are top notch and it’s incredibly clear how much they love their student body. There’s no better BJJ place in Maryland
Great people and staff! Very professional!
I personally trained with mike! Always the cleanest space and professional! I watched him clean before and after! They kept me safe from injury as well! Highly recommend their services
This is an institute of growth. The owners, staff, and other students all seek to make each other better.
Mike and his instructors have a true passion for teaching this artform to anyone that is willing to learn and work hard.
I have traveled and been to many schools around the world. This is one of the best and well run martial arts academies around. The place is super clean and family friendly. Top notch instruction from a staff who really cares about thier students. One of my favorite training destinations in Maryland.
Amazing. If you are green, or a veteran, you are home here.
Amazing place to learn Jiu Jitsu. Instructors are great and they have a great atmosphere.
Outstanding..!!!
Absolutely top notch BJJ gym. Always fun to train with absolutely knowledgeable instructors, very personable, never say know and will give you all the time you need to learn. Any level of Experience will find its spot here.
Mike and his Team have always been welcoming and friendly. Their Jiu-Jitsu is great and from a great lineage.
Hardcore true jiu-jitsu 🔥🔥🙏
One of the top academies in the state and region. Top notch instructors and a clean, beautifully laid out facility. If you’re in the area a great place to learn real Jiu-Jitsu
You will find a family here.
My favorite place in the entire world, clean and great teaching/teammates.
Mike and his staff are super friendly and very knowledgeable! I highly recommend given them a try. You will not be disappointed.
Mike is very passionate about Jiu Jitsu and spends countless hours dedicating himself to the health and well-being of his students while advancing their training and fitness.
I have been able to visit This school several time. Amazing clean facility, legit jiujitsu, Great team!!
Trained here for a year. While Jiu-Jitsu may not have been for me, this place was an eye opening experience. Met a lot of awesome people and learned a ton about myself.
Knowledge and training at the highest level, respectful and true professionals. Definitely recommend!
Excellent instruction by passionate coaches who care more about you getting better than you probably do. I would highly recommend gracie/rising tide to anyone looking to get started in bjj. Oos
I love this place already Mike Stewart is a great Coach. The gentleman who train here are awesome to work with.
Great place to learn jiu jitsu. Awesome staff and team.
The staff and program at Rising Tide Gracie Jiu Jitsu are awesome! They are encouraging to the kids while expecting dedication and discipline in the class. Our family has been very pleased with our experience there.
This is real martial arts, and Mike is the real deal. The only place I’ve ever trained where on day one I was physically engaging and sparring with other students, and that’s exactly why I come back. There is no nonsense with learning stances or increasing your chi before engaging, you just hit the mat. It’s by far one of the best workouts and I don’t think you will ever plateau where it won’t work you to an absolute sweaty mess. This is real Gracie Jiu Jitsu and worth your time to give it a try.
These guys are experts in their craft and excellent trainers. They are also great with kids and provide a safe yet challenging environment.
My family has been training with this team since 2010. Excellent instruction and culture in a clean and professional environment.
I’ve been a student of Mike’s (and his instructors) for many years now. His (their) dedication to teaching real self-defense is uncompromising...because they care. They won’t compromise their student’s experience (safety, knowledge, outcome, preparedness) to make anyone comfortable...but, that’s the point, right? But one need only visit and see for yourself that it’s also a great environment, welcoming and fun.
My oldest son has been practicing at Gracie Jiu Jitsu in Finksburg, MD for just over a year now. When I first enrolled him, he was very shy and for the first few months it was a battle to get him to go to class and participate. I thought that maybe Brazilian Jiu Jitsu may not be a good for him. But,I was so very wrong. Thanks to the instructors encouragement he started learning and becoming more active in class. He was EXCITED to go to class. A month ago he had his first belt test and I was amazed at how well he did. I couldn’t believe this was the same kid from just a few before. He was fast, he knew how to defend and how to submit. He did some throws that I really wouldn't have expected from a 6 year old. It was a was a huge moment of pride for me as a parent. I want to give a big shout out to Matt, Nick, Joe & Liam - his AMAZING instructors! After seeing my kid’s transformation I decided to join Gracie JJ as well. I am enjoying the wonderful self defense classes and high level BJJ. The owners Mike and Jordon are great, they are actively involved in teaching classes. They have an abundance of experience & knowledge, and take time with each student to make sure that everyone understands the moves & is practicing them safely. I was initially worried about getting hurt, but they provide a safe and fun environment. They have classes for all ages and abilities: children, new guys (like me) that have little to no BJJ experience, experienced to advance belts in BJJ and even women only classes (which is wife is considering joining) I have more energy and feel better than I have in years. I even convinced my best friend to take a class with me and now we both take 3-4 classes a week. I can't say enough positive things about Gracie JJ & highly recommend that everyone try them once and you'll be hooked, just like I am.
Signing our son and daughter up was the best decision we ever made. Their program not only teaches self defense, but promotes confidence, respect, and responsibility. The coaching staff is the absolute best! Our kids look forward to every class. I can't say enough what their program has done for our kids and would highly recommend for everyone!
Great School, Great teachers. Coach Mike Stewart is one of the most respectful, honest and productive coaches I know. Great school for beginners and battle tested students alike. Highly recommended
Great place to train! Even with Work making me very busy and not be able to train much, the owner still reaches out and checks on me. Staff is super professional and passionate about their students and jujitsu! They work super well with their students and really try to help you achieve whatever goal you have! Very big family atmosphere!
One of the best school to train in Bjj and self defense
My 14 year old had been doing BJJ for years. He is stoked to get back into it and started with the new school. Friendly and welcoming environment and staff.
This is a world-class academy run by elite-level black belts under Grandmaster Relson Gracie whose father created Gracie Jiu Jitsu. Super thoughtful instruction, clean and well-organized training environment, and family and beginner-friendly. I highly recommend this academy.
If you're in the Finksburg area and looking to learn the best martial art. You need to train in Gracie Jiu-jitsu and you need to learn it from Mike and his staff. I highly recommend this academy.
Gracie Maryland is real jiujitsu! I only want the best self defense training for my family and this is why we choose Gracie Maryland Finksburg and Columbia.
The Best Gracie Jiu-Jitsu school and instructors! Highly recommend.
Owner/instructor is always looking for quality students. Very professional!
Highly recommend for kids of all ages (and adults) These guys are the best and believe 100% in what they teach. Worth the 45 minute drive, i drive my kids twice a week.
Mike Stewart is a great coach! Highly recommend private lessons with mike as well! This is something everyone should know!
I’ve been training here for 7 months and I can’t say enough good things about this place. They have high level, well informed instructors that want every student to succeed. Nothing is watered down and everyone earns knowledge on a level playing field. There is no better place to get in shape and learn the best self defense system in the world. Check them out!
A skill everyone should know. The owners really care not only about the art, and building confident kids and adults, but they also care about the community.
Whether doing a group class, or a private lesson, you're in good hands. The academy is clean, and has a great location just off of the 140 and 91 in Finksburg.
We enrolled our son here over 2 years ago because he lacked confidence. He let kids walk all over him. We did not enroll him here to learn how to fight. He has learned a confidence in himself that makes him hold his head high and not afraid to speak up for himself. This academy not only teaches jiu jitsu they teach the kids that respect is a must. Not only on their mats but outside too which is something young kids are severely lacking today. The instructors work with us that stripes are not just earned by showing up. Your behavior outside is just as important and that stripe will be earned based on home behavior as well. I cannot say enough about this place and how happy we are!!!! Mike gave our son a book a few months ago that pertains to our family and it shows a lot about how much he cares about the kids there.
Training, for both my son and myself, at Gracie Jiu Jitsu Maryland has been such a positive experience. My son came into the program at a very young age and was very shy and timid. Just six months in he has blossomed into a more confident and outgoing kid. All of their instructors are first rate and (in my opinion) have the patience of a saint. As far as my experience in the adult class, I could not be happier. The environment is warm, friendly, and welcoming. Students of all walks of life, from stay at home parents who are looking for a hobby to competitors alike share the mat for a wonderful learning experience. It is safe to say that my family and I need not to look any further for our martial arts needs than Gracie Maryland.
Absolutely love Gracie Jui-Jitsu Maryland. We’ve been taking our two daughters there for over a year now. And it’s amazing to see how much self- esteem, discipline and awareness they have right now. I would recommend Mike & his staff + either of establishments to anyone. The passion, dedication and overall pride he has in his business is very impressive.
An excellent training facility and group. I always make it a point to get in there when in town. If you live in the area do yourself & your family a favor & check it out.
Top notch instruction and ownership. Great environment for kids, and adults, to learn the premier tried-and-true self-defense system in Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. This program, and this group of individuals that really come together more like a family, has done a world of good for myself and my boys. Do yourself a favor and come train! You won't regret it.
I walked into the academy some 10 months ago and have never had anything but amazing experiences there. The mats are always clean. The instructors are amazing at their art and are always so helpful. The owners Mike and Jordan are very friendly and approachable at all times. This place his truly become home. I can’t thank them enough for all they’ve done for me.
Great place to train. Great students and awesome instructors.
Have always had great experiences with students and instructors here. Everyone is friendly, open and most of all fun to hang out with. Once you come here enough, some of these folks start becoming your second family.
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