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Baltimore Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

5 ★★★★★ 66 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Essex, Maryland

BJJ gym Beginners welcome Kids & teens No-gi Competition team

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
  • 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 baltimorebjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule

Hours

Monday 5 am–12 pm, 5:45–9 pm
Tuesday 5 am–12 pm, 5:45–9 pm
Wednesday 9:45 am–12 pm, 5:45–9 pm
Thursday 9:45 am–12 pm, 5:45–9 pm
Friday 5–6 pm
Saturday 9 am–1 pm
Sunday 9:45 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 Baltimore Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 8 mentions

“My son had showed an interest in returning to martial arts more specifically Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.”

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Teens BJJ

“He’s more confident, he has less anxiety, he has gotten into better shape and is even trying out for High School Sports this year!”

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🩳 No-Gi

“I was in Baltimore on a road trip and decided to drop in for a gi and nogi class.”

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🥋 Gi

“I was in Baltimore on a road trip and decided to drop in for a gi and nogi class.”

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🏆 Competition Team 2 mentions

“Everyone genuinely cares about your progress and safety and students range from hobbyists to tough competitors.”

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🛡️ Self-Defense 2 mentions

“No nonsense instructors that have expertise and real world experience in grappling (wrestling and jiujitsu) and MMA.”

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🌱 Beginners 5 mentions

“The coaches are amazing, they really know how to break things down so all levels can understand, whether you’re new or have been training for years.”

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

🏟️ MMA

“No nonsense instructors that have expertise and real world experience in grappling (wrestling and jiujitsu) and MMA.”

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🥊 Boxing

“Also offers weight training, kick boxing and wrestling.”

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🦵 Kickboxing 2 mentions

“Jiu Jitsu, wrestling, kickboxing, circuit training, and a full gym.”

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🤸 Wrestling 4 mentions

“No nonsense instructors that have expertise and real world experience in grappling (wrestling and jiujitsu) and MMA.”

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 66 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 5 mentions

“The atmosphere is unmatched — positive energy, great coaching, and a real sense of family.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 11 mentions

“I have always had great experiences with everyone I have met and rolled with there, the team is very respectful and welcoming which in my opinion is a sign of a great gym culture.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 20 mentions

“Wonderful instructors, low key atmosphere, friendly members, and nice facilities (clean, large mat space, multiple bathrooms, showers).”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 3 mentions

“The coaches do an amazing job teaching not just technique, but discipline, confidence, and respect.”

great workout & conditioning 4 mentions

“On top of that, the gym has a huge lifting and cardio area, which is perfect for strength and conditioning before or after class.”

🧒 strong kids program 2 mentions

“Ok, I'm editing this review to say that BBJJ has done wonders for my daughters confidence.”

From the reviews

This place is the absolute best!! The owner to the instructors to the students! All as friendly as can be! They took my son in and got started right away!! The kids help each other in every way possible to make them stronger and prepared!! I have nothing but great things to say about this place!!

★★★★★ — Mandi, Aug 2023

Great gym! Wonderful instructors, low key atmosphere, friendly members, and nice facilities (clean, large mat space, multiple bathrooms, showers). Good schedule of classes too.

★★★★★ — Timothy, Mar 2016

Great environment, great instruction, and great people. Everyone genuinely cares about your progress and safety and students range from hobbyists to tough competitors. There is a place for everyone at Baltimore BJJ.

★★★★★ — Cody, Jul 2022

This is my home away from home! All of the instructors are some of the best people I've ever had the privilege to meet. The most welcoming environment I've ever stepped into and all of the students are friendly and welcoming. Highly recommend anybody interested in BJJ to come and check it out!

★★★★★ — Shawn, Dec 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 66 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Baltimore Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Baltimore Brazilian 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 Baltimore 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. 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 Baltimore Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

501 Eastern Blvd, Essex, MD21221

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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.