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Bernardo Faria Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy
4.9 ★★★★★ 111 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Bedford, Massachusetts
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
- Membership memberships run around $40/mo — many academies also offer a discounted first month and family plans, so ask about new-member rates
- 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
- No-gi no-gi grappling classes — training in a rashguard and shorts, with faster scrambles and a natural bridge to MMA
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule bernardofariaacademy.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 781-428-1364
Hours
| Monday | 6 am–9 pm |
| Tuesday | 11:30 am–9 pm |
| Wednesday | 6 am–9 pm |
| Thursday | 11:30 am–9 pm |
| Friday | 6 am–7 pm |
| Saturday | 9 am–1 pm |
| Sunday | 9 am–12:30 pm |
The classes they run
“They do a fantastic job teaching fundamentals, but even more importantly for kids ages 4–6, they emphasize respect, manners, and how to listen and follow directions.”
“My daughter had spend a month at the Bernardo Faria Academy a year ago and was raving about the level of instruction and the progress she made under Marcos Tinoco’s tutelage.”
“The instructors, in addition to being world class competitors, are able to link specific techniques to larger sequences seamlessly.”
“Jared and Joe are both phenomenal instructors, and manage to keep classes engaging and challenging while making sure beginners get a hang of the ropes.”
What members say
“Professor Marcos is extremely high-level, and I am so grateful that he rolled with me for five rounds.”
“Jared and Joe are both phenomenal instructors, and manage to keep classes engaging and challenging while making sure beginners get a hang of the ropes.”
“The facility is super clean and everyone I practiced with was friendly and respectful.”
“They do a fantastic job teaching fundamentals, but even more importantly for kids ages 4–6, they emphasize respect, manners, and how to listen and follow directions.”
“The instructors, in addition to being world class competitors, are able to link specific techniques to larger sequences seamlessly.”
“Very high level teaching (taught by world champions), a positive culture, and high standards for safety and cleanliness.”
From the reviews
I am visiting from Hawaii and wanted to train with Bernardo. I had a great time and got to roll with him and some of his top students! The people at his academy are very welcoming and friendly. Bernardo is a great professor! Highly recommended!
All I can say is that this place is AMAZING!!! I dropped in today from another gym, an hour and a half away, and it was truly worth it. Professor Marcos is extremely high-level, and I am so grateful that he rolled with me for five rounds.
Was traveling to the area on short notice and happened to realize how close this was to me. Reaching them was easy and they were super friendly and welcoming on the phone. Realize this was a short notice unexpected destination trip for me, so not having my gear drove the price up.
I’ve trained at a lot of gyms across the country, some with massive classes and famous instructors others small and personalized. This is the best instruction in BJJ I’ve ever received. The instructors, in addition to being world class competitors, are able to link specific techniques to larger sequences seamlessly.
New to BJJ? Start at Bernardo Faria Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy
Bernardo Faria Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy 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.
Your first BJJ class at Bernardo Faria Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy
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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🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site