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Brabo Jiu Jitsu Academy
4.9 ★★★★★ 89 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Virginia Beach, Virginia
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 3–16) — 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 brabobjjacademy.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 757-777-8240
Hours
| Monday | 10 am–9 pm |
| Tuesday | 10 am–9 pm |
| Wednesday | 10 am–9 pm |
| Thursday | 10 am–9 pm |
| Friday | 10 am–9 pm |
| Saturday | 9 am–2 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“My 7yo daughter wasn't familiar with this type of sport before, but now, she's super loved it and she's enjoying everytime she comes to kids' class.”
“Our kids have earned multiple medals in local tournaments, IBJJF events, ADCC, and No-Gi Pan Kids — all thanks to the knowledge, patience, and guidance of this amazing team.”
“The instructors are incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely care about helping each student improve, whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced competitor.”
“I’ve gained confidence, improved my fitness, and learned valuable self-defense skills while making great friends along the way.”
“The instructors are incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely care about helping each student improve, whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced competitor.”
Other martial arts here
What members say
“Professor Alex is a great teacher & really explains the technique and the coaches & the teammates /training partners are very friendly , supportive & welcoming .”
“I recently joined as a member after visiting while traveling to the area, and now that I’ve moved here, it’s been amazing to find such a welcoming and professional community.”
“I recently joined as a member after visiting while traveling to the area, and now that I’ve moved here, it’s been amazing to find such a welcoming and professional community.”
“The coaches break down techniques in a way that’s easy to understand, and the training partners create a positive environment where everyone helps each other grow.”
“The instructors are incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely care about helping each student improve, whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced competitor.”
“The environment is clean, safe, and family‑friendly, and in just a short time we have already seen his confidence, focus, and coordination improve.”
From the reviews
You gotta meet this guy, Professor Alex! He is blackbelt(1 stripe). He's a very good teacher for all ages! He knows what he's doing. My 7yo daughter wasn't familiar with this type of sport before, but now, she's super loved it and she's enjoying everytime she comes to kids' class. 🤙🤙🤙
Brabo Academy has been an amazing place for my 6‑year‑old son to start his Jiu Jitsu journey, and it absolutely deserves 5 stars. The coaches are patient, encouraging, and great with young kids, balancing discipline with fun so he is excited to come to every class.
Brabo BJJ has been an incredible place for our kids to grow — not just in skill, but in confidence and discipline. The professors and staff truly care and it shows in everything they do. The teaching is top-quality and focused on real development, not just drilling moves.
Great vibe at Brabo. Mats are grippy (which I appreciate), everything’s clean, and the crew on the mat is friendly but tough. Went to Alex’s seminar couple years ago, very knowledgeable instructor. I knew him back when I was just starting out as white belt (good old “us grappling” times).
New to BJJ? Start at Brabo Jiu Jitsu Academy
Brabo Jiu Jitsu Academy 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 Brabo 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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