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2nd Gear Jiu Jitsu
4.9 ★★★★★ 67 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Laurel, Maryland
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 BJJ classes (ages 5–13) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- Women's classes dedicated women's BJJ 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
- No-gi no-gi grappling classes — training in a rashguard and shorts, with faster scrambles and a natural bridge to MMA
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule 2ndgearbjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (240) 786-5553
Hours
| Monday | 4–10 PM |
| Tuesday | 11:30 AM–1 PM, 4–10 PM |
| Wednesday | 4–10 PM |
| Thursday | 11:30 AM–1 PM, 4–10 PM |
| Friday | 6:30–10 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM–1 PM |
| Sunday | 12–2 PM |
The classes they run
“The academy is fun, diverse, inclusive, with patient and caring coaches for the kids and teens, and highly skilled specialized instruction for adults.”
“The academy is fun, diverse, inclusive, with patient and caring coaches for the kids and teens, and highly skilled specialized instruction for adults.”
“Overall, a wonderful experience and special group that had me coming back every day for gi and no-gi sessions.”
“Overall, a wonderful experience and special group that had me coming back every day for gi and no-gi sessions.”
“Cannot recommend highly enough, wether you’re just starting out, or a black belt ready to compete nationally”
“The curriculum is well thought out and beginners aren't thrown in to sink or swim like many schools are known to do.”
Other martial arts here
“The muay thai program is a different breed fit for anyone willing to compete or simply exercise”
What members say
“I highly recommend to come over to try out a class, just for the opportunity to experience coach Ken’s instruction and great training environment.”
“I felt like I belonged right from the beginning (the professor knew I was visiting and greeted me upon arrival) and all the members made me feel welcome.”
“The instructors and students were extremely welcoming, I had a fantastic training session and met some awesome people!”
“Thankfully other parents were happy to fill in the gaps, and coaches provided details when asked.”
“Cannot recommend highly enough, wether you’re just starting out, or a black belt ready to compete nationally”
“What brought us first, was the kind of training provided by the coach at the time and the discipline he brought to the mat.”
From the reviews
An excellent place to learn Brazilian Jiujitsu. The curriculum is well thought out and beginners aren't thrown in to sink or swim like many schools are known to do. An emphasis is put on ensuring new students truly understand the fundamentals.
My boys started Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at 2nd Gear in March 2022. Completely new to the sport. The support and training offered here has positively contributed to their physical, emotional and mental health. We have since relocated, but the mentorship and friendships developed will last them a lifetime.
I am so blessed for my boys to be part of this community! We have been doing Jiujitsu for ten years, three of them were with 2nd gear! So basically this review came little bit late 😊.
Professor Kenneth Brown is one of the legends of jiu jitsu, but most importantly an amazing person to get to know and be around with. Coach Ken is the reason I spend most evenings at 2nd Gear Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, where everyone is welcome.
New to BJJ? Start at 2nd Gear Jiu Jitsu
2nd Gear Jiu Jitsu comes up as a beginner-friendly gym — noted on their own site. If you've never rolled or set foot on a mat, 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 or flexible to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and coaches scale the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard rolling — reputable gyms build fundamentals (positions, escapes, and basic submissions) for weeks, live rolling eases in gradually, and tapping early keeps every roll safe. 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, and leave your ego at the door. Most gyms are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.
Your first BJJ class at 2nd Gear Jiu Jitsu
Nervous about walking into a BJJ 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 basic positions and escapes with a partner — not hard sparring. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: athletic wear you can move in (or a gi if you have one); you'll train barefoot on the mats. What to bring: water and a mouthguard if you have one — many gyms lend a loaner gi for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gi (or a rashguard and shorts for no-gi) and a mouthguard. Live rolling eases in gradually, 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.
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