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Bayou Jiu Jitsu & Self Defense
4.9 ★★★★★ 112 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Affiliated academy — reviews and the gym's own info point to a recognized BJJ lineage or affiliation (think Gracie Barra, 10th Planet, Renzo Gracie, Alliance, Atos or Checkmat). If lineage matters to you, ask which affiliation the academy belongs to and under whom the head instructor earned their black belt.
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
- 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
- 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 bayoujiujitsu.us — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 225-505-8500
Hours
| Monday | 4:30–7:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 4:30–7:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 4:30–7:30 pm |
| Thursday | 4:30–7:30 pm |
| Friday | 4:30–7:30 pm |
| Saturday | 9–10:30 am, 4–6 pm |
| Sunday | 12–3 pm |
The classes they run
“As a mother, I appreciate that the coaches are not only skilled in jiu-jitsu, but they’re also amazing with kids—patient, respectful, and genuinely invested in each child’s growth.”
“As a woman, I feel super respected and also pushed to do my best.”
“Out of town visitor, they were kind, accommodating, and a great group for an open mat; would be great to catch some classes - it's clear they know their stuff.”
“Teacher are great with students and passion kids will learn alot if tou want kids to learn self defense give bayou jiu jitsu a shot”
“Being a beginner can be challenging (I started at age 48) but if you stick with it the rewards are worth it.”
Other martial arts here
What members say
“Best gym in Baton Rouge hands down, Professor Kevin has built a great gym culture where anyone can be comfortable and feel safe training.”
“Being a beginner can be challenging (I started at age 48) but if you stick with it the rewards are worth it.”
“Owner Kevin Bellard was trained by the Gracie family so what you're taught is only one degree away from the expert training of Ralph Gracie.”
“If you’re looking for more than just technique, if you’re searching for growth, healing, and a tribe that holds you down even years later, this is it.”
“My kids have gained confidence, see failures as an opportunity to learn, and join a community of adults and kids who have that same mindset.”
“Owner Kevin Bellard was trained by the Gracie family so what you're taught is only one degree away from the expert training of Ralph Gracie.”
From the reviews
Best gym in Baton Rouge hands down, Professor Kevin has built a great gym culture where anyone can be comfortable and feel safe training. Kevin’s BJJ knowledge is world class and all of the assistant instructors at Bayou are top notch and bring a variety of different styles and skill sets to their teaching.
I was in Baton Rouge for a Conference and messaged Professor Bellard about doing a drop-in. He replied right away and gave me all the information to attend. I attended the afternoon class and was so impressed and comfortable, I attended the morning class the next day.
My son has been training at Bayou Jiu Jitsu for a year and a half, and it has been an incredible experience. The professors are awesome — patient, skilled, and great at teaching the kids proper technique while keeping it fun. We couldn’t ask for a better place for him to learn and grow
I can’t express how grateful I am to have found Bayou JJ. From the moment I stepped through the doors, I was welcomed into a warm and supportive community that feels like family. I have a hectic life and this is the place I look forward to to get out of my head and just have fun! The instructors are amazing.
New to BJJ? Start at Bayou Jiu Jitsu & Self Defense
Bayou Jiu Jitsu & Self Defense 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 Bayou Jiu Jitsu & Self Defense
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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