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Ares Arizona Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
4.9 ★★★★★ 110 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Mesa, Arizona
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
- 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
- Open mat open-mat rolling sessions for members to practice live — always optional and at your own pace
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule aresazbjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (480) 491-5440
Hours
| Monday | 6 AM–12 PM, 4–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 6 AM–12 PM, 5–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 6 AM–12 PM, 4–9 PM |
| Thursday | 6 AM–12 PM, 5–9 PM |
| Friday | 6 AM–12 PM, 5–8 PM |
| Saturday | 6 AM–1 PM |
| Sunday | 11 AM–1 PM |
The classes they run
“Our kids have been training for a few years now, and the positive impact has been huge—not just in skills, but in confidence and friendships that go beyond the gym.”
“Everyone was so friendly and the women's class was amazing.”
“The environment is friendly, welcoming, and perfect for all ages and skill levels — from beginners to competitors.”
“It was open mat, and even though the main coach was not there that day, I was able to get a few good rounds in with some solid training partners.”
“Plenty of young gals in the kids classes too, awesome self defense art for all!”
“The kids class is perfect for beginners and intermediate kiddos, It has been inspiring to watch the kids gain skills and grow.”
Other martial arts here
What members say
“Small class sizes and great instructor to student ratio.”
“The kids class is perfect for beginners and intermediate kiddos, It has been inspiring to watch the kids gain skills and grow.”
“Reasonable cost/value, experienced and kid friendly instructors, calm atmosphere, high expectations without being military esque, passionate folks who really care.”
“You can tell they put real effort into the details — from the layout of the changing rooms to the separate space for kids’ classes.”
“My daughter has truly thrived here thanks to the leadership and guidance from her instructors.”
“The environment is friendly, welcoming, and perfect for all ages and skill levels — from beginners to competitors.”
From the reviews
My family joined, but my three sons mainly go ages 14, 13, and 7 years old. I find the academy to be a great place for people of all ages. The coaches are patient, understanding and will knowledgeable of the Brazilian jiu-jitsu art, and a very youth friendly environment. "It's a Great Academy" ~The Espinoza Family~
Paul and Leslie Nava and all his coaches have created an amazing atmosphere of learning. I love being part of this family and community! BJJ will change your life, and if you ever want to take that step ... Ares BJJ is the place to start the journey!
I am a new member of Ares but my husband and daughter have been attending for about a year and love it! I never thought I would have any interest in Jiu Jitsu but after watching my daughter in her kids' classes, I fell in love with the sense of family and community that comes with this Academy.
I visited Ares Arizona BJJ in Mesa on a Saturday and had a great experience. The people were very welcoming from the moment I walked in. It was open mat, and even though the main coach was not there that day, I was able to get a few good rounds in with some solid training partners.
New to BJJ? Start at Ares Arizona Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Ares Arizona Brazilian 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 Ares Arizona Brazilian 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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