Business Details
14 Years
experience
Your Trusted Partner for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Training in Lakewood
At 1 Up Jiu Jitsu, we are dedicated to advancing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu through comprehensive instruction in Sport BJJ, Submission Grappling, and Self Defense. Established in 2012, our Lakewood, OH facility offers classes for all ages and skill levels, from beginner to advanced. Our team of experienced instructors, including 3rd Degree Black Belt Paul Bartholet and 1st Degree Black Belt Jon Bobel, brings decades of competitive and teaching expertise. We emphasize training with and without the gi to foster holistic development. Located inside Old School Iron Gym, we provide affordable pricing and a welcoming environment.Our first class is always free, allowing new students to experience our programs risk-free. With a legacy of producing champions and mentoring MMA fighters since 2007, we combine technical precision with practical application. Our flexible schedule accommodates busy lifestyles, including early morning and evening sessions. We serve Brookpark and Lakewood communities, offering both structured classes and open mat opportunities. Our mission remains focused on making high-quality martial arts education accessible to all.
Services
Adult BJJ (Gi)
Kids BJJ (Gi)
Adult No-Gi Training
Submission Grappling
Self Defense Instruction
Details
- Year established: 2012
Highlights and features
- We offer over 20 years of combined instructor experience in competitive BJJ
- Our curriculum includes both gi and no-gi training methodologies
- We provide affordable pricing with a free first class for new students
- Our instructors have trained with world-renowned teams in Brazil
- We maintain flexible scheduling with early morning and evening classes
Services
Adult BJJ (Gi)
Structured Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes focusing on traditional gi techniques. Develop grappling skills through positional drills and live sparring. Ideal for improving competition readiness and self-defense capabilities while building physical conditioning.
Kids BJJ (Gi)
Age-appropriate Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instruction emphasizing discipline, confidence, and fundamental techniques. Safe environment for children to learn self-defense while improving focus and physical fitness through structured gi training sessions.
Submission Grappling
Specialized no-gi grappling sessions focusing on takedowns, positional control, and submission techniques. Develop practical skills for mixed martial arts applications and modern competitive grappling through intensive drilling and sparring.
Self Defense Instruction
Real-world self-defense program combining Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu principles with practical street defense techniques. Learn to neutralize threats effectively while developing situational awareness and de-escalation skills in controlled training environments.
Open Mat Sessions
Unstructured training opportunities for practitioners to refine techniques and test skills. Supervised open mat sessions allow members to engage in personalized drilling and sparring while maintaining a collaborative learning environment.
People
Paul Bartholet
Founder & Head Instructor
3rd Degree Black Belt under Chris Chard with 20+ years of competitive experience. Founded 1 Up Jiu Jitsu in 2012 after training with Nova Unio in Brazil and competing internationally.
Jon Bobel
Co-Instructor
1st Degree Black Belt with 15+ years of teaching experience. Promoted by Chris Chard in 2018 after competing in multiple regional and national tournaments while maintaining active teaching roles.
Questions
What age groups do you accept for BJJ training?
We offer classes for children aged 6-12 and adults of all ages with separate programs for different skill levels.
Do I need prior martial arts experience to join?
No prior experience is required. Our curriculum accommodates complete beginners through advanced practitioners in both gi and no-gi formats.
What should I wear for my first class?
For your free introductory class, wear comfortable athletic clothing. We provide loaner gis if needed for your initial session.
Are there competitive training opportunities available?
Yes, we prepare students for local and regional competitions with specialized training programs for those interested in competitive BJJ.
What are your instructors' qualifications?
Our head instructor holds a 3rd Degree Black Belt with international competition experience. All instructors maintain active teaching certifications and competitive records.
Do you offer trial classes for new students?
We offer one free introductory class with no obligation, allowing prospective students to experience our training environment before committing.
