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Open Source Jiu-Jitsu

4.8 ★★★★★ 65 Google reviews · Judo dojo in Asheville, North Carolina

Free trial Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons

Affiliated dojo — reviews and the dojo's own info point to a recognized judo governing body or lineage (think USA Judo, USJA, USJF, Kodokan or Tenri). If affiliation matters to you, ask which body the dojo belongs to and under whom the head sensei earned their black belt.

Plan your first class

  • Free trial or intro class most dojos welcome new members with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
  • Membership memberships run around $20/mo — many dojos also offer a discounted first month and family plans, so ask about new-member rates
  • Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
  • Kids & youth classes kids and youth judo classes (ages 4–15) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Women's classes dedicated women's judo classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
  • Private lessons private, one-on-one coaching available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
  • Open mat open-mat randori sessions for members to practice live — always optional and at your own pace
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule opensourcebjj.net — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (828) 782-3264

Hours

Monday 4:15–8 PM
Tuesday 4:15–8 PM
Wednesday 6–8:30 PM
Thursday 4:15–8 PM
Friday Closed
Saturday Closed
Sunday 11 AM–4 PM

Hours shift for holidays, seminars, and open-mat times — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

Judo classes on the schedule at Open Source Jiu-Jitsu, confirmed in members' own reviews and the dojo's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

💪 Women's Judo

“It's a great place for women to train whether you go to the dedicated women's class with Amanda or the coed classes or both.”

All dojos that run women's judo →

👤 Private Lessons 2 mentions

“I took a private lesson with Josh while visiting Asheville.”

All dojos that run private lessons →

🧒 Kids Judo

“My son and I traveled up for a seminar hosted by open source.”

All dojos that run kids judo →

Other martial arts here

Judo dojos are often multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at Open Source Jiu-Jitsu — mined from their reviews and the dojo's own info.

🥋 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu 18 mentions

“I dropped in at OpenSource JJ this past weekend while on a bachelor trip to train with the groom (his first day ever doing BJJ) and another one of our best friends.”

Other dojos that also teach brazilian jiu-jitsu →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the dojo's own info — they show what members have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want BJJ, wrestling, or sambo alongside your judo, confirm the current schedule with the dojo.

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 65 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 3 mentions

“Bobby and Amanda have built a friendly, chill, accepting environment with great coaching and all kinds of people on the mat.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 9 mentions

“I dropped in at OpenSource JJ this past weekend while on a bachelor trip to train with the groom (his first day ever doing BJJ) and another one of our best friends.”

🤝 respectful, no-ego dojo 19 mentions

“The facility is dialed in, the culture is welcoming, and the community they’ve cultivated is the kind that makes you want to come back every time you’re in town.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 5 mentions

“The instructor was considerate enough to spend time with us directly to help us learn the technique of the day, despite the fact we were just dropping in for the day.”

🏆 active competition team 2 mentions

“Bobby and Kyle are both very competent teachers and quite different in style which makes the curriculum even more well rounded.”

🧼 clean, well-kept mats 3 mentions

“:) They have a great, welcoming atmosphere, and the gym is really clean.”

From the reviews

I usually don't write reviews but I needed to leave a review because of how solid this place is. This is the ideal gym for anyone starting out in BJJ. The culture is very welcoming and open to all walks of life.

★★★★★ — Keenan, Apr 2019

I'm currently traveling and training long-term, I was visiting Asheville for several weeks, and trained here every day. One of the best gyms, if not the best gym I have been to! I have been to many gyms, and this has been my favorite one so far. :) They have a great, welcoming atmosphere, and the gym is really clean.

★★★★★ — Raffaela, Jul 2019

I've checked out a few gyms over the years and this one is the only one I've felt comfortable and welcome in. Bobby is a great teacher and is very encouraging. I appreciate that I've never been the only small bodied person at a class and have the ability to choose to roll with people who are also under 120lb or who…

★★★★★ — Ishka, Oct 2021

Sometimes it’s hard to have fun training at a different place as a visiting black belt; everyone wants to kill you! This was NOT the case at Open Source. Very friendly folks with technical training and no one was “going for gold.” Sprung floor was a nice upgrade from most gyms as well.

★★★★★ — Spencer, Sep 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 65 reviews →

New to judo? Start at Open Source Jiu-Jitsu

Open Source Jiu-Jitsu comes up as a beginner-friendly dojo — noted on their own site. If you've never stepped on a mat, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or flexible to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and sensei scale the intensity to you. Second, you'll start by learning to fall safely (ukemi) — reputable dojos build fundamentals (breakfalls, grips, a first throw and some groundwork) for weeks, live randori eases in gradually, and tapping early keeps everyone safe. Third, all levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out, and remember to bow in and show respect (rei). Most dojos are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.

See their beginner class info

Your first judo class at Open Source Jiu-Jitsu

Nervous about walking into a judo dojo for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good sensei expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, learning to fall safely (ukemi), then drilling a throw or two and some groundwork with a partner — not hard randori. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: athletic wear you can move in (or a judogi if you have one); you'll train barefoot on the mats. What to bring: water and a mouthguard if you have one — many dojos lend a loaner judogi for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own judogi. Live randori eases in gradually, once your fundamentals are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the sensei. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.

Judo is a contact sport. Ease in, tap early and often, listen to your sensei, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find Open Source Jiu-Jitsu

357 Gorman Bridge Rd, Asheville, NC28806

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this dojo? Claim your listing — it's free.