Oakland County's premier submission grappling academy
If you live in Commerce Township, MI and you are looking for serious jiu jitsu training, there is one academy in the region that consistently stands above the rest -- and it is worth every minute of the 30-minute drive. Longhouse Submission Grappling in Grand Blanc is a veteran-owned Brazilian Jiu Jitsu academy staffed by three black belt instructors with over 50 years of combined experience. For families and individuals across western Oakland County, including Commerce Township, Walled Lake, and the surrounding communities, Longhouse has become the destination for anyone who refuses to settle for less than the best instruction available.
Commerce Township is an active, family-oriented community nestled in western Oakland County between Walled Lake, Wolverine Lake, and the Huron River corridor. Residents here are no strangers to driving for quality -- whether it is youth sports, specialty dining, or weekend recreation. The drive to Longhouse is no different. At about 30 minutes via M-5 and I-75, it is a straightforward highway commute that connects you to a training environment, coaching staff, and martial arts community that simply does not exist closer to home.
Western Oakland County has options when it comes to fitness and martial arts, but dedicated Brazilian Jiu Jitsu academies with the depth and pedigree of Longhouse are exceptionally rare. Here is what makes the drive from Commerce Township worth it:
Parents in Commerce Township and the Walled Lake area invest heavily in their children's development -- from strong school systems to travel sports leagues. Kids jiu jitsu at Longhouse adds a dimension that team sports alone cannot provide: individualized physical problem-solving, emotional regulation under pressure, and the confidence that comes from knowing you can protect yourself.
Our youth curriculum is built around practical grappling techniques taught in an age-appropriate, encouraging environment. Children learn takedowns, pins, escapes, and submissions through progressive drilling and supervised sparring. But the real transformation happens off the mat. Parents from Commerce Township consistently report that their children become more focused at school, more respectful at home, and more resilient when facing challenges. The anti-bullying benefits are particularly valued -- children learn to de-escalate confrontation and defend themselves without throwing a punch.
Every kids class is taught by a black belt instructor who knows each student individually and tailors feedback to their development stage. Whether your child is five or fifteen, shy or outgoing, athletic or just starting to explore physical activity, they will find their place at Longhouse.
For adults driving in from Commerce Township, Longhouse offers a no-gi submission grappling program that is equal parts physical challenge, mental stimulation, and practical self-defense training. No-gi grappling focuses on body control, wrestling-based takedowns, and submission techniques executed without the traditional gi jacket. If you are new to the discipline, learn what jiu jitsu is and why it is so effective. It is fast-paced, technique-heavy, and one of the most effective full-body workouts you will ever experience.
Classes follow a proven structure: warm-up, technique instruction from a black belt, partner drilling, and live rolling. The intensity scales to your experience -- new students work at a controlled pace while experienced grapplers push the competitive edge. Many of our Commerce Township members started as complete beginners who had never trained any martial art, and they describe their first few months at Longhouse as transformative. Weight loss, improved cardiovascular health, better sleep, reduced stress, and a deep sense of accomplishment are common outcomes.
If competition interests you, our coaching staff provides personalized preparation for events like NAGA, IBJJF, and regional grappling tournaments. If your goals are more personal -- fitness, self-defense readiness, or simply a challenging hobby -- we meet you where you are and help you grow at your own pace.
Union Lake area — Families near Union Lake in eastern Commerce Township take M-5 to I-96 to I-75 for quality jiu jitsu training.
Briarcliff Village — Residents of the Briarcliff Village community and surrounding neighborhoods have found Longhouse worth the drive.
Walled Lake area — Members from the Walled Lake portion of Commerce Township appreciate our premier facility and expert instruction.
At 30 minutes, the drive from Commerce Township to Longhouse is the longest of any of our city pages -- and we want to be upfront about that. But here is what our Commerce Township members will tell you: once you experience the quality of instruction, the facility, and the community at Longhouse, the drive stops being a consideration and starts being part of your routine.
Total drive time: approximately 30 minutes from Commerce Township. The route is primarily highway and travels through scenic stretches of northern Oakland and southern Genesee counties. Many members use the drive to mentally prepare for training on the way there and to decompress on the way home.
We believe that the best way to evaluate a jiu jitsu academy is to experience it firsthand. That is why your first class at Longhouse is completely free -- no contract, no commitment, no sales pitch. Just show up in athletic clothing (shorts or leggings and a t-shirt or rash guard), bring a water bottle, and arrive about 10 minutes early. We will give you a tour, introduce you to the coaching staff, and pair you with an experienced training partner who will make sure your first session is safe, engaging, and informative.
After class, we are happy to answer any questions about our programs, schedule, and pricing. There is never any pressure to sign up on the spot. Contact us to make the decision that is right for your family -- we are confident that once you train at Longhouse, the choice will be clear.
Many Commerce Township families say yes without hesitation. The 30-minute drive to Longhouse Submission Grappling in Grand Blanc gives you access to three black belt instructors, over 2,000 square feet of dedicated mat space, and premium amenities like a sauna and showers. The depth and quality of instruction at Longhouse is unmatched by anything closer to Commerce Township. Members who make the drive consistently say that once they experienced the coaching and community at Longhouse, they could not imagine training anywhere else.
The most common route is to take M-5 (Haggerty Road) north, connect to I-96 West, then merge onto US-23 North and I-75 North toward Flint. Take Exit 108 for Holly Road and head east on S Saginaw Street to 12793. Depending on traffic and your exact starting point in Commerce Township, the drive takes approximately 30 minutes and is almost entirely highway.
Yes. Longhouse Submission Grappling offers weekend classes that are particularly popular with families who travel from Commerce Township, Walled Lake, and other western Oakland County communities. Weekend sessions make it easier to fit high-quality training into busy family schedules without competing with weekday obligations. Check our full schedule online or call (910) 705-9910 for the latest class times.
"I compared every BJJ gym within driving distance of Commerce Township. Longhouse blew them all away — the instruction, the facility, the culture. My only regret is not starting sooner."
Commerce Township families are making the drive and discovering why Longhouse Submission Grappling is the top-rated jiu jitsu academy in the region. Your first class is completely free, and there is no commitment required. Despite the distance, the quality of instruction makes it worth every mile.
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