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Berwyn Heights BJJ
5 ★★★★★ 51 Google reviews · BJJ gym in College Park, Maryland
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 (ages 5–13) — 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
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule berwynheightsbjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (301) 458-0434
Hours
| Monday | 5–9:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 5–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 6–9:30 PM |
| Thursday | 5–9 PM |
| Friday | 6–7 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM–1 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“Being able to train alongside my son is something I truly value, and the flexible schedule makes it easy to balance training with work and family life.”
“Instructor Joe is really good at what he doss and have a plethora of knowledge in BJJ and other martial arts which also translate well for self defense.”
“Whether you're a complete beginner or an advanced practitioner, Joe has a unique ability to communicate techniques in a way that makes them accessible and meaningful.”
What members say
“Joe is a fantastic instructor for our kids. He has a great demeanor for teaching elementary-age boys and girls.”
“Whether you're a complete beginner or an advanced practitioner, Joe has a unique ability to communicate techniques in a way that makes them accessible and meaningful.”
“The instructors and support staff are incredibly knowledgeable and welcoming, which made us feel comfortable right away.”
“His teaching style is characterized by crystal-clear instruction, breaking down complex techniques into manageable, understandable components.”
“We love the sport, and my kid's confidences have grown exponentially.”
“The Gracie program is great but when it's paired to a top notch instructor like Joseph Lilly, you know you've stumbled on something amazing.”
From the reviews
We are now hooked on Brazilian Jiu-jitsu! I was looking for a martial arts program for my two young kids, and found Berwyn Heights BJJ. Now all three of us have been taking classes for over a year. We love the sport, and my kid's confidences have grown exponentially.
The Bully Proofer program at Berwyn Heights Jiu Jitsu has been a wonderful experience for my son. It’s helped him build confidence while also teaching important values like respect, manners, and citizenship.
The Gracie program is great but when it's paired to a top notch instructor like Joseph Lilly, you know you've stumbled on something amazing. The structure of the program, the relaxed and cooperative atmosphere, the quality of the instruction, coupled to Joe's relentlessly friendly and positive attitude and his…
My son has been attending classes for about 2 years with Joe and he loves it. Joe is a great instructor who makes class fun while the kids learn functional techniques. I have been a student in the Women Empowered program for a year and love the confidence it has given me.
New to BJJ? Start at Berwyn Heights BJJ
Berwyn Heights 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.
Your first BJJ class at Berwyn Heights 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.
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