So you moved to Bastrop. Welcome to the greatest city on Earth.

We’re not just saying that. Bastrop is genuinely one of the most exciting places to be in Texas right now. The Lost Pines. The Colorado River. Downtown. Buc-ee’s, obviously. And a community that somehow still feels like a small town even as the rest of the world discovers it.

Which, by the way, they are. Bastrop County grew nearly 14% between 2020 and 2023, making it one of the 13th fastest-growing counties in the entire state of Texas. The city itself is projected to grow from roughly 14,000 people today to 20,000 by 2029. People are moving here from Austin, Houston, Dallas, even other states like California, everywhere. You’re in good company.

But here’s the thing nobody tells you when you move somewhere new: finding your people is hard. Especially as an adult. The gym you worked out at is gone. The friends you grabbed coffee with on Saturdays are now hours away. You’re starting over in a place where everyone seems to already know each other.

We have a solution for that. And it involves learning how to choke people. Hold on, let us cook…

Why Jiu Jitsu Is the Best Thing You Can Do When You Move Somewhere New

We’ve seen it happen dozens of times at 10th Planet Airlock. Someone moves to Bastrop, doesn’t know a soul, walks through our door, and immediately they’re welcomed with open arms to the group chat and the family.

Jiu jitsu builds friendships faster than almost anything else because it’s inherently vulnerable. You’re on the ground. Someone has your back. Someone is trying to submit you and you’re trying to submit them back. There’s a strange trust that develops on the mat that you just don’t get at a lifting gym, a rock climbing gym, or a bar downtown (though we have several great ones).

It also gives you somewhere to be. Three, four, ten times a week if you want it. A schedule. A team. A reason to show up. When you’re new to a city, that structure matters more than people realize.

What You’ll Find at 10th Planet Airlock

We opened on July 4, 2023, which felt appropriately Texan, and in our second year of operation we were voted the #1 Best Martial Arts Gym in Bastrop County. No, really. We’re proud of that. But what we’re more proud of is the community that earned it.

We’re a 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu affiliated school, which means we train No-Gi only, no uniform required, just shorts and a rash guard. No gear to buy before your first class. No intimidating hierarchy or politics to navigate. No cult. You walk in, you get on the mat, and we take it from there.

Our head instructor is Rei Villa, a retired U.S. Army veteran with 20 years of service, a 10th Planet Black Belt, and an IBJJF First Degree Black Belt. He retired from the Army in 2024 specifically to focus on building this gym and this community. Teaching isn’t his side project. It’s his whole thing.

We also have:

Adult No-Gi Jiu Jitsu. All levels, all ages, six days a week with morning and evening options
Adult Muay Thai & Kickboxing. Stand-up striking for people who want to be complete martial artists
Kids Jiu Jitsu. Two age-specific programs for kids 5 and up (Tiny Astronauts and Lil’ Astronauts)
Women’s BJJ every Thursday, completely FREE, by the way. Led by Coach Andrea, no membership required

Nervous? Yea, that happens. But hear us out.

You’re Not Starting from Zero. You’re Starting with Us.

One of the things we hear most from new students who just moved to Bastrop is some version of: “I’ve always wanted to try jiu jitsu but I didn’t know anyone who did it.” Moving to a new city is actually the perfect time to start. You don’t have an existing social calendar pulling you in other directions. You’re open to new things. And you need a reason to leave the house.

We have a free trial class for exactly this reason. No commitment. No membership pitch at the door. Just come in, see if you like it, meet some people, and roll around on the mat for an hour. The worst case scenario is you go home and never come back. The best case scenario, and honestly the most common one, is that you find your Bastrop people faster than you thought possible.

We’re Right in the Heart of Bastrop. And the Building Is Half the Point.

We’re located inside Bastrop Fitness Project at 303 Martin Luther King Dr, just a few minutes from downtown, right around the corner from Hwy 71 and the Buc-ee’s that you now live next to (good job, you).

Bastrop Fitness Project is genuinely one of the coolest setups in Central Texas. It’s a full wellness ecosystem under one roof, and everything you need as a new resident is right here:

Strive S&C — strength and conditioning coaching for people who are serious about their fitness
SHO Sauna & Cold Plunge — recovery done right, right after your jiu jitsu class
Wild Child Bastrop — a supervised indoor playground for kids ages 2–10. Drop-in play, birthday parties, and a Parents Night Out program. Meaning you can train while your kids play in the same building. This is not a small thing.
Bastrop Cafe — coffee, smoothies, teas, milkshakes, and snacks made with locally roasted Texas Coffee Works beans. Open before and after class.
24/7 gym access — because sometimes 5am is the only time that works

If you’re a new Bastrop resident trying to build a life here, a fitness routine, a social circle, a place to bring your kids, this building has more of what you need than anywhere else in town. And jiu jitsu is how you get in the door.

A Few Other Things Worth Knowing About Bastrop

Since you’re new here, a few places worth knowing about near us on Martin Luther King Dr and around town:

Downtown Bastrop — about 5 minutes from the gym. Great restaurants, and a farmers market on weekends.
Bastrop State Park — the Lost Pines forest. Hiking, camping, one of the most unique ecosystems in Texas. Go before it gets hot.
The Colorado River — runs right through town. Kayaking, fishing, or just walking along the water.
Lake Bastrop — about 10 minutes out. Swimming, boating, fishing. Good place to spend a Saturday.
Hwy 71 corridor — everything you actually need is out here. HEB, shopping, recreation, restaurants, and yes, Buc-ee’s.

Point being: you landed somewhere good. Now you just need to find your people.

Come Say Hi

We mean that literally. If you just moved to Bastrop and you’re looking for community, fitness, or just something to do, come by. Try a class. Meet the team. We’ve welcomed a lot of new Bastrop residents through our doors and we’d love to welcome you too.

First class is free. No experience needed. No gear required.

Book your free trial class at 10th Planet Airlock →

Or call us: (512) 271-5260
Or email: airlockbjj@gmail.com

10th Planet Airlock | 303 Martin Luther King Dr, Bastrop, TX 78602 | Voted #1 Best Martial Arts School in Bastrop County