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Ares BJJ Sanford

4.9 ★★★★★ 57 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Sanford, North Carolina

BJJ gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Competition team

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
  • 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 aresbjjsanford.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 919-292-6040

Hours

Monday 7–8 am, 11 am–1 pm, 5–9 pm
Tuesday 5–9 pm
Wednesday 7–8 am, 11 am–1 pm, 5–9 pm
Thursday 5–9 pm
Friday 7–8 am, 11 am–1 pm, 5–9 pm
Saturday 10 am–2 pm
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 Ares BJJ Sanford, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 28 mentions

“Absolutely love that we made the decision to bring our kids 6&7 at the time they were both having issues with behavior in school and they were always so full of energy.”

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🏆 Competition Team

“If you’re looking to compete, Professor Taniel’s approach will get you ready.”

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🔓 Open Mat 2 mentions

“This gym provides great value for the price, offering evening classes five nights a week and open mat on Saturday.”

All gyms that run open mat →

🌱 Beginners

“Highly recommend for beginners and experienced alike.”

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Other martial arts here

BJJ gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at Ares BJJ Sanford — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🤼 Judo

“It’s a great community with outstanding instructors in judo, BJJ, and wrestling.”

Other gyms that also teach judo →

🤸 Wrestling

“It’s a great community with outstanding instructors in judo, BJJ, and wrestling.”

Other gyms that also teach wrestling →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the gym's own info — they show what members have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want MMA, muay thai, or wrestling alongside your BJJ, confirm the current schedule with the gym.

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 57 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 6 mentions

“Completely humbled to be apart of this amazing family #teamAbu Coach Brad, coach Billy, and Professor Taniel are the best of the best!”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 4 mentions

“Every class the kids and I are learning something new and it's a very professional/comfortable/welcoming environment.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 20 mentions

“Now they been here for 6 months and we have seen a complete turnaround in school and at home and they have made so great friends and a whole other family here at Ares BJJ.”

🧒 strong kids program 3 mentions

“They work with the kids on their moves and technique also teach anti bullying so I say win win for bringing your kids here!”

active competition team 2 mentions

“This is from far the best gym in NC, Taniel is an Amazing professor, very professional and has a huge back ground in competition.”

🧼 clean, well-kept mats 3 mentions

“Such a great gym — solid family environment and the people are fantastic.”

From the reviews

We love Ares BJJ Sanford! My son started about 6 months ago and we have seen an amazing improvement in school and home life since he began. My daughter just started this month and we can see a change in her confidence level and her attitude already! Best gym around in my opinion!

★★★★★ — Kate, Mar 2022

Absolutely love that we made the decision to bring our kids 6&7 at the time they were both having issues with behavior in school and they were always so full of energy.

★★★★★ — Beach, Feb 2022

My daughter first started Bjj at Ares Bjj Sanford. This gym has the most amazing professor and owners. The discipline that is instilled in all the children, while also learning teamwork and respect is phenomenal. We have since moved and my daughter continually talks about how she misses this gym.

★★★★★ — Cherie, Feb 2021

We absolutely love ares BJJ! It is truly an amazing family to be a part of! Not only do you learn discipline and the art of jujitsu... it is so much more, it is life lessons that you take from this Academy!

★★★★★ — Alicia, Feb 2021

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 57 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Ares BJJ Sanford

Ares BJJ Sanford 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 Ares BJJ Sanford

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 Ares BJJ Sanford

2540 Lee Ave, Sanford, NC27332

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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.