HomeNew JerseyMaplewood › American Jiu Jitsu of Maplewood

American Jiu Jitsu of Maplewood

4.9 ★★★★★ 8 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Maplewood, New Jersey

BJJ gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens

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 — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Women's classes dedicated women's BJJ classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule ajjmaplewood.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 973-671-8383

Hours

Monday Closed
Tuesday 5:30–8:15 pm
Wednesday Closed
Thursday 5:30–8:15 pm
Friday Closed
Saturday 8:45–11:30 am
Sunday Closed

Hours shift for holidays, seminars, and open-gym times — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

BJJ classes on the schedule at American Jiu Jitsu of Maplewood, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 9 mentions

“My son has been taking jiu jitsu at AJJ for several years.”

All gyms that run kids bjj →

🛡️ Self-Defense 3 mentions

“This is the absolute best place to train for excellent real life scenario based self defense mixed with teaching of humility and kindness.”

All gyms that run self-defense →

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 8 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧒 strong kids program 3 mentions

“I wholeheartedly recommend the AJJ kids program.”

🧠 builds confidence & discipline 2 mentions

“I've seen my daughter develop much more confidence in diffusing potential conflicts and she always looks forward to class.”

From the reviews

I love the American Jiu Jitsu in Maplewood I get to throw people and do rolls. I learn fast there. The other instructors that come make it fun too. American Jiu Jitsu is great here.

★★★★★ — Fried, Nov 2017

I wholeheartedly recommend the AJJ kids program. My daughter started training here when she was 5 and it's done her a world of good. Of the many options around town, I chose AJJ for two main reasons: because Sensei Tony is terrific with kids and because the training is age-appropriate.

★★★★★ — Dan, Nov 2017

AJJ of Maplewood is a great school. I regularly attend the adult classes and have for a couple years now. My kids attend the child classes as well. Sensi Tony is patient, understanding, relaxed, knowledgeable and great at sharing that knowledge. The assistant instructors each bring their own charm to the room.

★★★★★ — John, Nov 2017

My son has been taking jiu jitsu at AJJ for several years. He has learned so much from the teacher and become a part of a great group of students. This studio is top notch, and the instruction is serious yet the students have fun learning. It has been an excellent experience all around.

★★★★★ — Erin, Nov 2017

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 8 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at American Jiu Jitsu of Maplewood

American Jiu Jitsu of Maplewood 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.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first BJJ class at American Jiu Jitsu of Maplewood

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.

BJJ is a contact sport. Ease in, tap early and often, listen to your coaches, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find American Jiu Jitsu of Maplewood

530 Valley St, Maplewood, NJ07040

Get directions Instagram · Facebook

More BJJ gyms near Maplewood

Bodega Jiu Jitsu

5 ★★★★★ 120 reviews

6 W Parker Ave, Maplewood, NJ

BJJ gym Beginners welcome Kids & teens No-gi expert, high-level coachingwelcoming to beginnersno-ego, friendly academy

under a mile away

Sheridan Brazillian Jiu Jitsu

5 ★★★★★ 153 reviews

863 Valley St, Vauxhall, NJ

🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site

Ages 5–18

BJJ gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons No-gi Competition team Affiliated expert, high-level coachingwelcoming to beginnersno-ego, friendly academy

1.3 miles away

Elijah Brazilian Jiu Jitsu: BJJ, MMA, Martial arts Union, NJ MMA

5 ★★★★★ 29 reviews

1330 Stuyvesant Ave., Union, NJ

BJJ gym Beginners welcome Kids & teens Competition team Affiliated welcoming to beginnersno-ego, friendly academystrong technique & fundamentals

2.1 miles away

All BJJ gyms in Maplewood, NJ →

Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this gym? Claim your listing — it's free.