Neutral Ground Grafton Martial Arts

Fantastic experience: Neutral Ground has been such a positive experience for my son and our family. He has adhd and was lacking in confidence due to a stutter, but after just a month he’s made great progress. Not only did he gain physical skills but a better attitude towards working hard and trying to obtain goals even when he didn’t feel like he would get there. He has also developed a better understanding of what he can physically accomplish and increased his coordination exponentially which has been a past issue. The coaches are the perfect blend of kind but firm and make everyone feel welcome. They do an excellent job of thoroughly explaining each move and why each movement is necessary. The environment they create on the mat is not only electric but also well structured and a place where life skills are learned and implemented. One of my favorite parts is that they not only check on how they are physically growing but also at home and school, which has dramatically impacted how my son looks at his attitude towards others and maintaining his responsibilities at home. We were initially hesitant to sign him up but all of us are so extremely happy that we did and recommend Neutral Ground to anyone who is interested.

Fantastic experience: Without a doubt the best Jiu Jitsu gym. The incredible instructors and the awesome people who come here make this a fantastic learning environment that can fit anyones needs. Whether you’re looking for a hardcore learning style to get good fast, or just a new fun way to get in shape, I guarantee you will be able to find something that works best for you. I come here 5 - 6 days a week and I STILL can’t get enough. I would recommend Neutral Ground to anyone!

Fantastic experience: Neutral Ground offers classes for children unlike anywhere else. The coaches make genuine connections with each child while instilling a strong sense of discipline. Each class is structured appropriately to hold the child’s attention and keep them having fun with every new lesson.

Fantastic experience: From first meeting Coach Vern to 5 weeks of jiu jitsu later, my 8th grader has felt more welcomed by his coach and teammates than ever before. New to this sport, his interest in martial arts quickly turned into a passion - mainly thanks to Coach Vern and his students who consistently demonstrate respect, maturity, and kindness at a level we never anticipated in a self-defense class for teens! We are so impressed and thankful to have found Coach Vern and his students at Neutral Ground in Grafton!

Fantastic experience: I started learning jiu jitsu at Neutral Ground two months ago. As a petite 47yr old women with no martial arts experience, it was quite intimidating & overwhelming at first, but everyone was very friendly and welcoming. The women's group is amazing and supportive both on & off the mat. The upper belts are respectful, knowledgeable, patient, and willing to help you learn at your own pace. The instructors make themselves available for questions and offer support & training thoughout class. NG offers a well balanced curriculum, additional resources, as well as seminars to help improve techniques and training. Over the last two months I have acquired great training partners, learned self defense techniques, stepped outside my comfort zone, challenged myself, and gained confidence. I feel fortunate to be part if the Neutral Ground family!

Fantastic experience: We started our 2 kids at Neutral Ground just over 1 month ago. It has been nothing short of amazing!! In such a short time they have learned so much! They enjoy being part of a team and are so excited each day when it is time to go! They have not only learned ju jitsu skills, they have made new friends. The social skills taught each class are incredible; patience, respect, focus, listening to name just a few! My son's teacher has already commented on noted changes at school (Even before she knew he was doing this!). And at home we are noticing differences too, the kids are more independent, doing tasks without being asked, not asking for help in things they know they can do, more motivation, and better morning routines are a few things that have been very obvious! Coaches Vern, Drew and Lexi are awesome with the kids! We are so happy we found Neutral Ground and are excited to see how the kids grow in the next few months and beyond!

Fantastic experience: We just started our 5 yo daughter in classes at the start of the year . She LOVES it. After the first visit, she asked if we could come back the next day. I appreciate the discussions that are had on how to be better in life - what can be done at home and school. It compliments the physical portion of the class well. The kids have fun, but the coaches keep them in line. It’s a great way to learn discipline and respect. I couldn’t ask for more. Very friendly and welcoming atmosphere.

Fantastic experience: My 5 year old has had an absolute BLAST joining Neutral ground. Coach Vern & Coach Drew are truly great with the kids, and are a good team. They instill discipline and have high expectations for the children- but they do it with fun, kindness, and are very approachable. Coach Drew always has a big smile and sets a great tone for class. Coach Vern empowers the kids to achieve greatness. We are very pleased.

Fantastic experience: After just a few weeks we can see our daughter making progress in the classes at Neutral Ground. She looks forward to the classes and really seems to enjoy the structured learning environment as well as the fun activities.

Fantastic experience: As it goes with trying anything new, there is a lot of anxiety and being unsure of yourself, but Neutral Ground has been so welcoming, encouraging, and suppportive of my journey into learning jiu jitsu, that I look forward to going to classes despite the anxiety. From the first day, I realized I wasn't just taking classes though, but instead I was joining a wholesome community, and I am so glad I did.

Fantastic experience: We have just started at Neutral Ground and already have had such a great experience. Our daughter loves the coaches, they are fun but also know when to be serious. Our daughter has learned so much and is excited to show us all the new things she learns each class

Fantastic experience: From the moment I stepped in the door at NG, I have felt welcomed! As someone who has never participated in any form of martial art, I was extremely nervous about getting out of my comfort zone. The staff is incredible - patient, knowledgeable, encouraging, and always ready to answer questions and demonstrate techniques. When it feels overwhelming on how much there is to learn, the focus on basic fundamentals broken down into manageable steps has been incredibly valuable! Its very apparent the culture that has been crafted at NG is one of inclusion, as I've been greeted by many members with friendly hellos and encouraging words in my first few classes. I've especially enjoyed the women's class with Matt. I'm extremely pleased with my experience at NG!

Fantastic experience: My 6 year old daughter loves Neutral Ground! It was recommended to us by a friend who has several kids in their program. Neutral ground is welcoming and organized. I like that classes are flexible, incorporate character development skills, are engaging and fun! My only regret is not finding Neutral Ground sooner!

Fantastic experience: What can I say? This place is absolutely a blessing!! When my son and I walked out of his first class, I was in tears, so thankful for a place like this. I knew this was the right fit for our son!! In the short time he has been there, I have been so impressed with their intentionality, their amazing communication, and how they care deeply about the character building of each of these kids. I am so amazed by every aspect of this program; we are excited to see our son progress in his martial arts skills, but also in his life skills!! Thank you, Neutral Ground Grafton Martial Arts!!

Fantastic experience: The coaches are patient, enthusiastic, encouraging and great roles models. Helping to build confidence in all of their students, while reinforcing the values that I have already given to my grandson that I am raising and I don't regret making the decision to enroll him at Neutral Ground . I would highly recommend this establishment and the staff!!

Fantastic experience: My kid love this place. Fantastic teachers and a great learning experience for kids. Affordable and lots of flexibility to work around kids busy schedules. Highly recommend!

Fantastic experience: Our family recently moved from Texas and my son left as a 2nd degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Wanting to try something new and challenging, we signed him up for BJJ. We have been coming to this facility for a little over a month now, and I can honestly say we are happy with our decision. This facility welcomed us with open arms and our BJJ instructor, Coach Vern, has really went above and beyond to make my son feel like a part of the BJJ family. All of our questions and/or concerns are addressed immediately. Not only are the classes nice and challenging, but as a mom, I really appreciate the extra pep talks embedded in the classes (i.e. learning about positive self-esteem, sportsmanship, intrinsic motivation just to name a few). I feel like even after a short amount of time, my son is learning lessons that will last long after he leaves the mat. I would highly recommend to any parents/students thinking about joining!

Fantastic experience: My experience at Neutral Ground has been almost entirely positive. The facility is very clean. All of the instructors and fellow students I've met have been helpful, especially to someone like me who is clearly out of their comfort zone. I would have no worry approaching anyone with a question or problem. The general pacing of the class I think is also good, but it seems as though there is some inconsistency with the way each class is taught or handled. Sometimes, it seems that there is a leading instructor guiding the course through a planned path. Other times, whether or not there is a leading instructor is unclear, and the course of the class is more loose. This is my experience only having gone to the noon classes as of right now. At the end of the day, I am happy to learn from anyone in any which way or form, especially since no matter who is there people are helpful and I feel like I grow a lot, but I thought this was worth mentioning. I've enjoyed my time at Neutral Ground learning Jiu-Jitsu and would recommend to anyone interested!

Fantastic experience: Honestly so happy we have had Neutral Ground in our lives. The coaches have made such an amazing impact on our family. They encourage not only our child but the whole family to continue to do better. Our daughter has been able to build confidence in herself and her abilities. The coaches truly help each kid in their individual growths and developments and motivate them to pursue their next desires.

Fantastic experience: Our 5 year old daughter just started taking lessons here and absolutely loves coming to class. As a mom, it's great to see her feeling more physically confident and empowered, and the classes are an excellent balance of learning discipline, focus, and self-control, as well as learning how to control an aggressive situation. The skills are taught in fun, safe, and respectful partner and whole class games.

Fantastic experience: In my short time here everyone has been nothing but welcoming and encouraging to me as I start my BJJ journey. I come with no experience and everyone is so willing to help me and share tips on how to improve. I have always felt safe and the vicinity is very clean.

Fantastic experience: I love that the children are being introduced to exercise and that the coaches are hands on with teaching the techniques! I appreciate the gentle redirection when kids lose focus. They are teaching basic principles of self defense and self control. All in all I love it!

Fantastic experience: Neutral Ground was highly recommended by some neighborhood friends and when I saw their try out promotion around Easter I HAD to give our 4 year old son a try. Now every day he wants to go to his "Ninja school". Coach Drew and Coach Vern are amazingly patient with these kids and focus on each and every one to help them feel involved. I can't wait to see the continued positive effect it has on my son as we continue on our journey with Neutral Ground.

Fantastic experience: Started my BJJ journey here about two months ago. Great experience so far on many levels - lost lots of weight already, increasing flexibility, mental awareness over body, etc. Got me out of my comfort zone in the first few weeks and really enjoying pushing myself in classes. Great community of people seeking to get better all the time and also help you improve whenever they can. Highly recommended!

Fantastic experience: I am not a spring chicken anymore, but was looking for a way to get some exercise and learn a new skill. My friend and neighbor suggested Neutral Grounds. I was a bit hesitant at first, but as soon as I walked in the door I was greeted by some wonderful people. The classes are fun and challenging. But most importantly, is the atmosphere of acceptance and cooperation. The higher belts are always (I mean always) willing to work with you and will stay after class to help you out. It is humbling, but in a good way. I leave there exhausted (a good thing), but look forward to each class. If you are looking for a different exercise experience or a class to help you defend yourself, this is it... You can train to compete, or not. Either way you will get a geeat workout and learn some valuable skills. All the coaches are amazing. I'm thankful I took the step to better myself and I know you will too.

Fantastic experience: Our son has been attending Neutral Ground for about a month and it has been wonderful! The coaches are very attentive and really individualize their training with each child. Our son is having a great time and learning at a fast pace- I would highly recommend this program!

Fantastic experience: We love Neutral Ground for our child! Since he started Jiu Jitsu here we have seen him grow mentally and physically. He has learned respect for himself and others and looks forward to each class and lesson. The instructors Coach Vern and Coach Drew are spectacular at what they do!

Fantastic experience: They have a bond that shows with each other and all the kids they work with. They have the Best approach when considering their trainer student coverage and class time content management. Better than other classes we’ve taken. I consider everyone there to be good people to expose my son to.

Fantastic experience: After trying many different activities for my daughter we have finally found something she truly enjoys doing. Coach Drew and Coach Vern are awesome with the kids! My daughter cannot wait to go to Brazilian jiu-jitsu during the week. Coach Drew and Coach Vern are very compassionate and truly want everyone they teach to succeed both on the mat and off the mat. Their subtle words of encouragement before, during, and after class speak wonders for their commitment to the kids. I cannot say enough good things about both those men or the experience we've had thus far at Neutral Ground in Grafton?

Fantastic experience: My 6 year old loves going to Coach Vern's classes at Neutral Ground! We love how coach Vern incorporates crucial conversations and discipline in to his classes with ease. I can see my 6 year old is much more confident. I appreciate all the great support I received from everyone at Neutral Ground towards our goals!

Fantastic experience: Everyone at Neutral Ground goes above and beyond to make both your kiddo and your entire family feel welcome. They are invested in your child, beyond just the class start and end time. They send us tips and at home activities all the time! We had tried to start our 4 year old over a year ago and he wasn’t ready, we returned a year later and they remembered everything about him and got him so excited to start and now he LOVES it. Coach Vern is amazing at making each kid feel special and letting them go at their own pace. I cannot say enough about how fantastic they do with the kids, really just wow.

Fantastic experience: We are so happy with the progress our son has made in a few short weeks. The coaches were eager to learn what aspects of martial arts we were hoping to see fostered while participating (self control, team work, sportsmanship) and how they may be able to help in that process. Coach Vern is very aware of each child’s personality, their strengths and weaknesses, and is able to use that to develop their skills both on and off the mat. Couldn’t ask for better!

Fantastic experience: My almost 13 year old son started Jujitsu classes in December. I had been struggling to find something that he was interested in, and when I asked him if he'd like to try these classes, he was nervous because he'd never taken martial arts classes before and was worried about not knowing what to do, but he wanted to try it so we did a 2 week trial. His first class went really well and he was hooked! Everyone was so awesome and kind and helpful. Any nervousness he had about being a beginner at an older age was completely gone. He looks forward to every class and loves practicing the new he learns at home. The main thing I've been hoping he'd get out of the classes is to boost his self-confidence and have the ability to stand up for himself if necessary. I recently had a meeting with a couple of his teachers, and his math teacher said, I don't know what's changed, but your son has been participating in class more, raising his hand more, and engaging with his peers more since we came back from the holiday break. I told him the only thing that's changed is he started Jujitsu classes, and he said, that's gotta be it! I am so glad we found Neutral Ground!

Fantastic experience: Instructors are great at managing our child’s age (9 y/o) group. Techniques are introduced so that they are easy to understand and can be practiced through quick repetition. Love that skills assessments focus on demonstrating competency while also emphasizing character development.

Fantastic experience: We joined Neutral Ground couple of month ago and our family could not have been happier with our experience so far. We have two children in two different classes (age 4 and 7) and they always look forward to each and every class. I can see a lot of progress with my youngest one. When he first started, he had a hard time paying attention and taking things seriously. His coach does a fantastic job on improving those skills and my son is definitely making good progress. Coach Vern and coach Drew always take the time to work with each student one on one. Attention to detail is an understatement. They tailor their instruction to fit the needs of each individual. It’s not a one size fits all kind of school and they take individualized approach with each student. They are truly deserving of a title coach.

Fantastic experience: My daughter has never been interested in too many sports but wanted to try this class. For the first time in a while I see her really finding herself, giving her all, and blossoming as she finally has something she has a passion for. She looks forward to each class and loves all the coaches. I also feel at home here when I come along and watch. There is nothing like going into a place and feeling like you “fit” and can just be yourself. Thank you for everything you do!

Fantastic experience: Neutral Ground has been a great experience for my 6 year old! He absolutely loves the jiu jitsu classes! The classes are grouped well by age and size, so my son is evenly matched. The kids are learning great technique and how to apply it. They also focus a lot on behavior and character development. There are class options for every day during the week, so this allows for a flexible and changing schedule. It is also nice that they have a competition oriented class which allows kids who have the additional motivation to push themselves to a competition level of capability. I highly recommend Neutral Ground Grafton for anyone wanting to learn martial arts to a high-level while ensuring the culture focuses on personal development first.

Fantastic experience: Neutral Ground has been awesome for our two boys (ages 7 and 9)! Neither of them had done any type of martial arts before so this was a brand new experience for them. They absolutely love it! Coach Vern and Coach Drew are great, very quickly zeroing in on our boys strengths and weaknesses. We love how they not only provide instruction on martial arts, but also focus on their mental well-being and character development as young boys.

Fantastic experience: Our kids have been enrolled at Neutral Ground for a short time. We are in both tiny and little ninjas. This is our first experience as a family being involved in an extra circular activity. We were looking to get them involved in something. We are glad we chose Neutral Ground. The kids really enjoy going to class and love what they are learning! The coaches are great at keeping kids engaged, having fun and learning.

Fantastic experience: I’m so thankful I was introduced to Brazilian Jujitsu through Neutral Ground Martial Arts in Grafton. The respectful and disciplined coaches show true concern and love for each individual. They are also funny with purpose. If the child needs redirection they are good at not singling them out in front of the group. They are gentle when needed and tough when needed. They are very positive roll models that teach your kids to believe in themselves. They want to see you / your child succeed no matter their growth speed, no matter their challenges or obstacles. They make you feel comfortable coming to them with any questions or issues. My children highly look forward to classes each week.

Fantastic experience: I began my journey with Neutral Ground- Grafton a few months back. As and adult jumping into the unknown and way outside of my comfort zone, I found the staff and participants of the class I enrolled in (Adult BJJ) to be very welcoming and incredibly helpful. The instructors take a lot of time and usually ask feedback from students to help the students understand concepts to help them succeed. I would recommend Neutral Ground to anyone who is interested in getting started with martial arts in a friendly atmosphere.

Fantastic experience: My 8 year old son has been talking about trying martial arts for the past couple of months. We decided to check out Neutral Ground based on some reviews from other friends and we can honestly say that, not only did those reviews not disappoint, the experience has been more amazing than we could have anticipated. The communication, support, and instruction are just some of the highlights! It really feels like our son has found a home here. Coach Drew and gang have helped to make Monday and Wednesday nights the best nights of the week!

Fantastic experience: My 8yo son started with Neutral Ground in January with a free 2 week trial. We quickly signed up for the full year. It's been the perfect combination of structure and discipline, but the kids are also being active and having fun. The coaches are so committed to these kids and Coach Vern especially just has a great energy as an instructor that makes the kids love him and respect him at the same time. The confidence my son has gained within the first few months has been absolutely amazing to watch. I am incredibly happy with the decision we made to enroll him in jiu jitsu.

Fantastic experience: Our experience at Neutral Ground has been really positive. The coaches have great classroom management skills, making the experience both meaningful and fun for the kids. Coach Drew always has a few kind, confidence-boosting words for my son (who adores him). We highly recommend their programs!

Fantastic experience: Very clean, well organized business. The coaches here are absolutely amazing and 100% committed to their students. They provide great instructional videos for students to practice throughout the week. The communication lines are always open between staff and parents. We have been in contact with Coach Drew since we found Neutral Ground, and he is always very kind, knowledgeable, and quick to get back with us on any issues/questions we may have. The kids have expressed to us numerous times how much they are learning and their confidence levels have already grown in the short time we've been here.

Fantastic experience: My daughter enjoys class and looks forward to it every day. Even on the days we aren’t scheduled to attend she asks “Mom, can we go?” It’s been great to see her grow and become more confident. She is learning more than just self defense but is also learning self-care and self-confidence. I love her excitement and her commitment to something that she enjoys. The staff is supportive and works to make sure that all the kids are included. They communicate well with the kids and with the parents to make sure the kids are doing well. I love this place and I am incredibly happy with everything.

Fantastic experience: My son joined about 3 months ago. He switched for another marital art organization and really enjoys attending Neutral Ground. He has been able to challenge himself and has become very motivated and responsible for having someone drive him to class. I am very impressed with his coaches who constantly challenge him to become the best he can be but more importantly to be a respectful young man. I would highly recommend Neutral Ground in Grafton.

Fantastic experience: I’ve only been training a little over a month but I’ve known about Neutral Ground forever growing up in Grafton. I was turned onto bjj recently from some coworkers and most people recommended training here. The place is really clean, the instructors are top notch, and the other members are great to train with. I have a demanding work schedule but there are multiple classes almost every calendar day so I’m able to train consistently. I certainly recommend training here specifically. I also plan on enrolling my kids here once they’re old enough.

Fantastic experience: I have thoroughly enjoyed my classes at Neutral Ground. Everyone is welcoming and the classes are a great workout; quick and hard-hitting. The instruction from Coach Rob is great! He is very good at letting you work at your own pace but then knowing exactly when to push you, to jump in and correct a move or show you how to build off of a move. There is a place for anybody new to kickboxing in the classes at Neutral Ground and plenty of opportunities to continually get better, refine your skills and try new classes.