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Back Bay Jiu-Jitsu

5 ★★★★★ 11 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Virginia Beach, Virginia

BJJ gym Beginners welcome Kids & teens

Plan your first class

  • 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
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule backbayjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 757-201-4141

Hours

Monday 4:30–8 pm
Tuesday 4:30–8 pm
Wednesday 4:30–8 pm
Thursday 4:30–8 pm
Friday 4:30–8 pm
Saturday 11 am–1 pm
Sunday 11 am–1 pm

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

🧒 Kids BJJ 4 mentions

“My kids love their time at Back Bay Jiu-Jitsu, they have learned a lot and have a lot of fun!”

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🔓 Open Mat

“Thank you for hosting open mats today—truly a 10/10 experience.”

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🌱 Beginners 4 mentions

“His teaching style is clear, approachable, and focused on helping students truly improve, whether they’re brand new or experienced.”

All gyms that run beginners →

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 11 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 4 mentions

“This instructor brings a high level of knowledge, passion, and professionalism to jiu-jitsu.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 8 mentions

“Coach Jake provides an atmosphere that is welcoming and positive, and it’s obvious he cares about building both skill and confidence in his students.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 12 mentions

“Coach Jake provides an atmosphere that is welcoming and positive, and it’s obvious he cares about building both skill and confidence in his students.”

🧼 clean, well-kept mats 5 mentions

“Jake was extremely welcoming, and the environment was both comfortable and spacious.”

🧠 builds confidence & discipline 4 mentions

“Not only is she gaining skill and coordination, but I know that she's building confidence and self-discipline, which is exactly what we were hoping for.”

From the reviews

This instructor brings a high level of knowledge, passion, and professionalism to jiu-jitsu. His teaching style is clear, approachable, and focused on helping students truly improve, whether they’re brand new or experienced.

★★★★★ — Noah, Dec 2025

Beautiful facility in a great location. Jake was extremely welcoming, and the environment was both comfortable and spacious. The mats were in excellent condition, and the entire space was clean and well-maintained. Thank you for hosting open mats today—truly a 10/10 experience.

★★★★★ — Taitai, Dec 2025

Great gym! Clean, welcoming and fun. Jake is a great coach! Himself and Coach Neil are very knowledgeable and make learning easy and enjoyable. They work very well with both kids and adults!

★★★★★ — Alexis, Jan 2026

Great jiu-jitsu gym in a great location. Jake is a very experienced and personable instructor for all levels.

★★★★★ — Tristan, Dec 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 11 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Back Bay Jiu-Jitsu

Back Bay Jiu-Jitsu comes up as a beginner-friendly gym, going by their listing and members’ reviews. 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 Back Bay 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 Back Bay Jiu-Jitsu

1964 Fisher Arch, Virginia Beach, VA23456

Get directions

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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.