BJJ Olympia Review | Olympia, Washington
While staying in Silver Creek, we were willing to drive a little farther if it meant finding quality training for our girls. After researching the area, we decided to make the hour-long drive to BJJ Olympia each day, and we’re so glad we did.
Our daughters trained four days in the gi and one no-gi class during our week there. Most classes lasted an hour, while Tuesday and Wednesday included an additional 30-minute competition class that they were invited to join.
One thing we really appreciated was how the schedule worked for families. During the kids classes, the academy offered adult open mat time, which made it incredibly convenient. Instead of waiting around for a separate adult class later in the evening, my husband was able to train at the same time as the girls. He took advantage of this twice, getting in both gi and no-gi open mat sessions. Having adult training available alongside the kids classes made a huge difference for us and is something we wish more gyms offered.
First Impressions
From our very first phone call, we felt welcomed.
Most of our communication before arriving was with Shane, who handled the front office. He answered all of our questions, made the registration process easy, and immediately made our family feel comfortable.
That welcoming attitude continued throughout the entire week.
The Culture
BJJ Olympia has a strong family atmosphere.
There was obvious pride in the academy and its students. It was clear this wasn’t just a gym—it was a community.
Parents knew one another, kids supported each other, and everyone made us feel like part of the team despite only visiting for a week.
The Training
Professor Robert Owens ran organized, competitive classes that kept everyone moving.
The kids were divided into smaller groups based on experience, allowing everyone to drill with partners at a similar level before live rounds.
Our girls had several challenging rolls throughout the week against kids with comparable experience and belt levels. Those hard rounds are exactly what we hope to find whenever we visit a new academy.
The competition classes added even more quality mat time and were a great opportunity for our girls to continue developing.
Cleanliness
The academy was clean and well cared for.
Students washed their feet before stepping onto the mats, something we always appreciate seeing. Small details like this show pride in maintaining a healthy training environment.
A Memorable Week
This visit became especially meaningful because both girls reached important milestones.
Sullivan earned her Yellow/White belt, while Charlie received another stripe on her Solid Gray belt.
Celebrating those promotions with a gym that welcomed us so warmly made the experience even more memorable.
Final Thoughts
BJJ Olympia gave us exactly what we look for when training on the road: challenging instruction, welcoming people, competitive rounds, and a family-oriented atmosphere.
The hour-long drive from Silver Creek was absolutely worth it, and we’d gladly make the trip again if we’re ever back in the area.
