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Rivers Edge Jiu-Jitsu

5 ★★★★★ 64 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in Newaygo, Michigan

Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons Fitness classes

Plan your first class

  • Free trial or intro class most gyms welcome new members with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
  • 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 muay thai classes (ages 3–13) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Women's classes dedicated women's muay thai 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
  • Fitness & conditioning muay thai fitness and cardio classes — a serious workout you can do without ever having to spar
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule newaygomartialarts.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 231-245-5067

Hours

Monday 6–7 am, 5–8 pm
Tuesday 5–8 pm
Wednesday 10 am–12 pm, 5–8 pm
Thursday 5–8 pm
Friday 5:30–6:30 am, 6–8:30 pm
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed

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

The classes they run

Muay thai classes on the schedule at Rivers Edge Jiu-Jitsu, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🌱 Beginner Muay Thai 3 mentions

“5/5 — River’s Edge Jiu Jitsu & Striking River’s Edge Jiu Jitsu is an incredible place to train, whether you’re a complete beginner or experienced.”

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🧒 Kids Muay Thai 11 mentions

“Anthony and Josh are great coaches and my son has really found his place with Rivers Edge!”

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💪 Women's Muay Thai

“After a month of watching them in class, I decided to join the women's class, and it's been an awesome experience.”

All gyms that run women's muay thai →

👤 Private Lessons

“I have a background in CrossFit, military combatives, endurance racing & personal training so my list of expectations was kinda high.”

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🛡️ Self-Defense 2 mentions

“I couldn’t be more proud of the discipline, respect, self defense, and teamwork my kids have learned from training with him and his assistant coaches.”

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Other martial arts here

Muay thai gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at Rivers Edge Jiu-Jitsu — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🥋 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) 11 mentions

“I highly recommend this to anyone looking to learn grappling or striking, or if you just want to have a fun workout and meet some wonderful people.”

Other gyms that also teach brazilian jiu-jitsu (bjj) →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the gym's own info — they show what members have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want BJJ, boxing, or MMA alongside muay thai, confirm the current schedule with the gym.

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 64 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, authentic coaching 9 mentions

“The atmosphere is welcoming and positive, training partners are respectful and will push you to get better, and Coach Josh and his instructors are amazing with the kids.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 10 mentions

“The atmosphere is welcoming and positive, training partners are respectful and will push you to get better, and Coach Josh and his instructors are amazing with the kids.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly gym 16 mentions

“The atmosphere is welcoming and positive, training partners are respectful and will push you to get better, and Coach Josh and his instructors are amazing with the kids.”

📘 real technique & fundamentals 3 mentions

“I personally train in the striking classes, and Josh and Anthony are exceptional coaches — knowledgeable, patient, and great at breaking down technique for all levels.”

🧒 strong kids program 3 mentions

“My daughter fell in love after the first night; going nearly every night that she could.”

🧼 clean, well-equipped gym 7 mentions

“The gym is clean and the staff are always ready to make your class experience informative, fun, and challenging.”

From the reviews

My daughter and I both train here and we love it. The atmosphere is welcoming and positive, training partners are respectful and will push you to get better, and Coach Josh and his instructors are amazing with the kids. Highly recommend dropping in for a class, you will not regret it!

★★★★★ — Juan, Oct 2023

Great coaches and clean facility! Highly recommend for any age and skill level. Our 3 kids are thriving here under Coach Josh and his assistant coaches. They are not only learning self-defense the other life skills such as self-discipline, sportsman, teamwork, and so much more are invaluable! -Angie

★★★★★ — Angie, Dec 2023

I’ve been training at Rivers Edge and it’s been an awesome experience. The coaches are skilled, the atmosphere is welcoming, and everyone helps each other grow. Whether you’re new or experienced, this is a great place to train and get better every day.

★★★★★ — Dawson, May 2025

5/5 — River’s Edge Jiu Jitsu & Striking River’s Edge Jiu Jitsu is an incredible place to train, whether you’re a complete beginner or experienced. I personally train in the striking classes, and Josh and Anthony are exceptional coaches — knowledgeable, patient, and great at breaking down technique for all levels.

★★★★★ — Mike, Nov 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 64 reviews →

New to muay thai? Start at Rivers Edge Jiu-Jitsu

Rivers Edge Jiu-Jitsu comes up as a beginner-friendly gym — noted on their own site. If you've never thrown a punch or a kick, 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 to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and coaches scale the conditioning to you. Second, you won't be thrown into sparring — reputable gyms build fundamentals (stance, footwork, and the basic strikes of the "art of eight limbs") for weeks before any contact, and sparring stays optional. Third, all levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or fundamentals class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out. Most gyms are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.

See their beginner class info

Your first muay thai class at Rivers Edge Jiu-Jitsu

Nervous about walking into a muay thai gym for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good coaches expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling the basics on pads and bags — not fighting. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: shorts or athletic wear and a t-shirt; you'll train barefoot on the mats. What to bring: water and hand wraps if you have them — many gyms lend gloves for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gloves, wraps, a mouthguard, and shin guards. Sparring is optional and comes later, once your fundamentals are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the coach. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.

Muay thai is a contact sport. Ease in, listen to your coaches, 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 Rivers Edge Jiu-Jitsu

8843 S Mason Dr, Newaygo, MI49337

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