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Bear Hug BJJ

5 ★★★★★ 20 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Corning, New York

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
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule bear-bjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 607-542-9966

Hours

Monday 7:30 am–10 pm
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday 7:30 am–10 pm
Thursday Closed
Friday 7:30 am–10 pm
Saturday Closed
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 Bear Hug BJJ, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 20 Google reviews — in their own words.

🌱 welcoming to beginners 3 mentions

“The instructor and students are all very welcoming and provide solid training.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 3 mentions

“The instructor and students are all very welcoming and provide solid training.”

From the reviews

This place is great. The instructor, Aron Rocha, is eager to make everyone better while inspiring a fun and easy to learn atmosphere. There is a great group of people there all eager to teach you and help. Give it a shot

★★★★★ — Anthony, May 2017

I dropped in for training while visiting the area and had a great time. The instructor and students are all very welcoming and provide solid training. They are a great example of the martial arts community. I recommend them and will be dropping in anytime I'm in town.

★★★★★ — Casey, Dec 2021

Was in town for work and stopped in for a couple drop in classes. Good atmosphere, loose and relaxed. Beginner friendly.

★★★★★ — Black, Mar 2021

Clean and welcoming!! The instructor was great and I had fun rounds with technical players. Definitely stop by if you're in town!

★★★★★ — Elena, Jun 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 20 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Bear Hug BJJ

Bear Hug BJJ 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 Bear Hug BJJ

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 Bear Hug BJJ

110-122 Chemung St, Corning, NY14830

Get directions Instagram · Facebook

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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.