Kids & teens
Ages 3 to 16
Classes grouped by age. A twelve week curriculum you can read before you enroll, behavior rules that still count at home, and a morning class for homeschool families.
See the kids and teens programKids, teens and adults
Training that transforms
much more than your body.
Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai for kids, teens, and adults in Vero Beach. Your first class is free.
Book your first class
No cost, and nothing to sign to take part.
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- Led by Master Renato Tavares 6th degree black belt under Carlson Gracie Sr.
- Two locations in Vero Beach, ten minutes apart
- From age 3 kids, teens and adults, grouped by age
- First class free nothing to sign to take part
Choose by age
Who is the class for?
Adults
Start from scratch, or come back
For people who have never trained, or want to come back after years away. Beginner classes in Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai, at any age and any level of conditioning, and a women-only class every other week.
See the adult classes 1 / 2 Program 1 of 2
Where to train
Two locations, the same program
Master Renato Tavares
Who leads RT Martial Arts
Master Renato Tavares has been training Jiu Jitsu for 52 years, 31 of them as a black belt, and he is a 6th degree black belt under Carlson Gracie Sr., one of the names that shaped Jiu Jitsu into what is taught today.
He leads both locations, and the same program runs at each one. That lineage is where RT’s way of teaching comes from: the detail somebody corrects in your first week comes out of five decades of doing this.
And he still competes, and still wins: IBJJF World Master champion in 2026, with Pan American and European titles along the way.
- Black belt 6th degree under Carlson Gracie Sr.
- World Master champion IBJJF, multiple times, the latest in 2026
- Pan American champion IBJJF Pans, the latest in 2026
- European champion IBJJF European Championship
The instructors
Who teaches at RT Martial Arts
-
Both locations
Leandro Paes
5th degree black belt · Black prajied
Over time, the person learns things that go far beyond the mat, such as discipline, resilience, humility, self-control, trust, respect and responsibility.
- Jiu Jitsu
- No-Gi
- Muay Thai
-
RT Headquarters
Melissa Bentley
3rd degree black belt
Jiu Jitsu has taught me so much about myself and has given me life long tools that I can hopefully pass on to future generations.
- Jiu Jitsu
-
RT Beachside
Julio Cesar Pereira
Black belt · Black prajied
In my students, especially the children, I see confidence replacing fear, respect replacing insecurity, and a stronger sense of responsibility developing every day.
- Jiu Jitsu
- Muay Thai
-
RT Headquarters
Professor Jake Hess
Black belt
I watch the quiet student find their voice, the person who lacked confidence begin to believe in themselves, and the student who once wanted to quit learn that they are capable of pushing through difficult moments.
- Jiu Jitsu
-
Both locations
Danny Tat
Brown belt
The biggest impact to me is the confidence it instills in every student. The ones who were once quiet and shy are now suddenly the ones leading the group.
- No-Gi
-
RT Headquarters
Ben Pelton
Brown belt
If you're thinking about giving it a try, just do it! That's how I started, and I'm so glad I did. See you on the mats!
- Jiu Jitsu
-
Both locations
Matt Ross
It teaches you to hold yourself accountable and to keep showing up even on the days you don't feel like it.
- Muay Thai
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Before you come in
Frequently asked questions
Still have a question? Someone from our team will answer it on the call.
What programs does RT offer?
Jiu Jitsu, in the Gi and No-Gi, and Muay Thai, at both locations, for kids, teens and adults. Muay Thai and kickboxing are not the same thing, and what you train here is Muay Thai.
How old does my child have to be to start?
Three at RT Headquarters and five at RT Beachside. Kids classes are grouped by age, and the teens class starts at 13 at both locations.
How much is the first class?
Nothing. The first class is free and there is nothing to sign to take part. You come in, you train, and the decision comes after.
Do I need a Gi or any experience to start?
No. For the first class, a t-shirt and shorts are enough, and nobody gets dropped into the advanced class: beginners train fundamentals, with an instructor on the mats the whole time.
Does RT accept the Step Up For Students scholarship?
Yes. RT is a registered provider with the program, and the scholarship covers Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai classes at both locations. More than 30 kids already train here on it. When you come in for the first class, the front desk walks you through how to direct it to the classes.
Are there morning classes for homeschool families?
Yes, at 9 and 10 AM: Monday and Wednesday at RT Headquarters, Tuesday and Thursday at RT Beachside. The same families train together every week, and the afternoon stays yours.
Is there a women-only class?
Yes. Adult classes are mixed, with women training in the same program and with the same instructors, and every other week there is a class for women only.
Which location should I choose?
The one closest to you, or the one with the schedule that fits your week. The program and Master Renato are the same at both; each location's schedule is on the program page.
How does booking work?
You fill out the form on the program page and someone from RT calls to set the day and time. Get there ten minutes early, in comfortable clothes.
Your first class
Book your first class
Fill out the form and someone from our team will call to set the day and time. The first class costs nothing, and there is nothing to sign to take part.