Find Your Place on the Mat
Whatever brought you here—fitness, fighting, confidence, or community—you’ll find it at Ironwood.
Jiu-Jitsu for Anyone
At Ironwood, we teach effective Jiu-Jitsu in a space that’s structured, supportive, and free of ego. Whether you're stepping on the mat for the first time or returning after years away, you'll be met with patient coaching, clear fundamentals, and training that meets you where you’re at.
We offer classes for:
Kids (ages 5+)
Teens and Adults
Woman’s only class led by Women (Coming Soon!)
Why Ironwood
Come As You Are. Leave Better.
There’s something powerful about consistent training. You don’t have to be fast, strong, or fearless. You just have to show up.
At Ironwood, we believe Jiu-Jitsu should be functional, thoughtful, and sustainable. That means:
You’ll learn to defend yourself with real-world effectiveness
You’ll gain confidence from doing hard things
You’ll train in a focused, ego-free environment
You’ll get better—on and off the mats
“Nate is an exceptional instructor. He is doing a great job with the kids’ class, our kids can’t wait to go every day. The adult classes are awesome as well, with a very welcoming community. Nate has created a strong gym culture already. I’m very excited to be part of Ironwood Jiu-Jitsu and I can’t recommend it enough.”
“Great place to train! Nates instructing is top notch and he’s been able to help me improve my jiu-jitsu immensely in a short amount of time. The other students are super friendly, easy going and helpful too. There’s a great sense of community at Ironwood”
Getting Started
You Don’t Need to Be Ready. You Just Need to Start.
Jiu-jitsu has finally come to Northwest Marana! Ironwood Brazilian Jiu-jitsu is the first academy serving Gladden Farms, Red Rock, and Continental Ranch, making it easier than ever to train without leaving your community.
Join us as we train, grow, and lay the foundation for an exciting future. Be part of the first-ever Jiu-jitsu community in Northwest Marana—your journey starts here!
Jiu-Jitsu classes
Jiu-Jitsu Kids ages 5-7
Our Kids’ Classes for ages 5-7 introduce the basics of Jiu-jitsu through fun, play-based learning that keeps young students engaged and active. Through games and age-appropriate exercises, kids develop foundational skills while learning core values like discipline, respect, and self-control. Our goal is to nurture confidence in an encouraging environment, helping kids build strong bodies and strong character.
Due to current class sizes 5-7 year olds are in a mixed class with the older students. As soon as we have enough younger students we will split the age groups.
Jiu-Jitsu Kids ages 8-12
Our Kids’ Classes for ages 8-12 build on foundational Jiu-jitsu skills with a focus on more technical instruction suited to this age group. Through structured drills and engaging activities, students continue to develop their Jiu-jitsu abilities while deepening their understanding of discipline, respect, and self-control. We encourage kids to set personal goals, fostering a sense of accomplishment as they progress. In a supportive and motivating environment, our classes aim to strengthen both their physical skills and character.
Monday-Friday 4:30-5:30pm
Saturday 10am
Adult Classes
Our Adult Jiu-jitsu program offers something for everyone, from complete beginners to seasoned practitioners. Our comprehensive "Foundations of Jiu-jitsu" class builds essential skills, helping newcomers gain confidence while refining techniques for advanced students. At Ironwood Jiu-Jitsu, adults of all levels can find a welcoming space to enhance their skills, fitness, and well-being.
Monday-Friday 5:45-7:00 PM
Saturday 11-12pm followed by Community Open Mat
Monday-Friday 7PM Lab time
We opted to refer to this time as lab time rather than open mat. This is time for students to take learning into their own hands. Continue working on the night’s curriculum, do specific training, ask a coach for help in a specific area, try out that cool technique you saw on Instagram, or just grab some partners and get some hard rounds in.
Who we are
Ironwood Jiu-jitsu is led by Head Instructor Nathen Danforth, a dedicated Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu with over 11 years of experience. Nathen earned his black belt under Professor Sal Flores, head instructor and owner of our sister school, Pallaton BJJ. Beginning his Jiu-jitsu journey with a goal of weight loss, Nathen found a transformative path that extended beyond fitness, discovering profound personal growth and resilience on the mats. For the past nine years, he has shared his passion by teaching others, driven by his love for Jiu-jitsu and his dedication to helping students reach their potential. Inspired by Chris Haueter's philosophy—Think Street, Train Sport, Practice Art—Nathen believes Jiu-jitsu has something unique to offer everyone. Alongside his wife, Amber, and daughters, Emma and Mackenzie, Nathen creates a warm, inclusive environment at Ironwood where students of all ages can experience the life-changing benefits of Jiu-jitsu.
Contact Us
Interested in training with us? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!