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Athens Jiu Jitsu

5 ★★★★★ 27 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Athens, Alabama

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 ajjathens.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 256-701-0713

Hours

Monday 6–7:30 am, 5–8 pm
Tuesday 5–8 pm
Wednesday 6–7:30 am, 5–8 pm
Thursday 5–8 pm
Friday 6–7:30 am, 5–8 pm
Saturday 7–9 am
Sunday 2:30 pm–4 am

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 Athens Jiu Jitsu, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 14 mentions

“My two kids are also members, and they’re having a blast learning self-defense and having fun with their classmates.”

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🔓 Open Mat

“I dropped in for an open mat, Zeke and Matt were very welcoming and made me feel right at home.”

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🛡️ Self-Defense

“My two kids are also members, and they’re having a blast learning self-defense and having fun with their classmates.”

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🌱 Beginners 3 mentions

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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 Athens Jiu Jitsu — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🥊 Muay Thai 2 mentions

“On top of Jiu Jitsu they also offer Muay Thai classes that I'd love to try sometime.”

Other gyms that also teach muay thai →

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 27 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 4 mentions

“A variety of different techniques from great coaches who are always willing to go over in detail to make sure you're getting it.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 4 mentions

“The coaches are incredibly knowledgeable and skilled, and they create a welcoming environment for everyone, no matter where they are in their jiu jitsu journey.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 9 mentions

“The coaches are incredibly knowledgeable and skilled, and they create a welcoming environment for everyone, no matter where they are in their jiu jitsu journey.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 4 mentions

“A variety of different techniques from great coaches who are always willing to go over in detail to make sure you're getting it.”

great workout & conditioning 2 mentions

“Since starting here, I’ve lost 30 lbs and am excited to keep working toward my competition goals with their support.”

🧠 builds confidence & discipline 4 mentions

“It has made it a family thing that we all do together and my kids have really grown in their skills but more importantly their confidence.”

From the reviews

The Best. The people teaching do an amazing job and are kid friendly . I am new to the sport and have fallen in love with it . Extremely knowledgeable and professional staff . Great learning atmosphere and real life application (not to mention amazing exercise and stress relief ) .

★★★★★ — Hayden, Dec 2024

After moving from our home state we needed to find a new gym and we happened to look in to this one, we immediately enjoyed it and all the coaches are really helpful. The classes are a great workout and learn a super useful skill. 10/10 would recommend this place every day, the people are great the place amazing!

★★★★★ — Rpm, Oct 2025

The best coaching around by far, no matter if your day 1 or seasoned vet; I look forward to each and every class!!

★★★★★ — John, Nov 2024

The coaches, owners and members of this gym have made it very easy for me to take my whole family to train. The schedule allows for me to not have to worry about how many sessions I get per week or month.

★★★★★ — John, Sep 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 27 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Athens Jiu Jitsu

Athens 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.

See their beginner class info

Your first BJJ class at Athens 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.

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 Athens Jiu Jitsu

1659 S Jefferson St Ste 5 Suite G, Athens, AL35613

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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.