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Brazilian Martial Arts Center

4.8 ★★★★★ 124 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Somerville, Massachusetts

BJJ gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons No-gi

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) — 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
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule bmacboston.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 617-628-3800

Hours

Monday 6 am–9 pm
Tuesday 6 am–9 pm
Wednesday 6 am–9 pm
Thursday 6 am–9 pm
Friday 6 am–9 pm
Saturday 6 am–9 pm
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 Brazilian Martial Arts Center, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

📘 Fundamentals 2 mentions

“BMAC under Professor Marcelo, built my foundation and fundamentals of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.”

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🧒 Kids BJJ 5 mentions

“Professor Marcelo runs a great curriculum not only for adults but also kids / teens of all ages.”

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Teens BJJ

“Professor Marcelo runs a great curriculum not only for adults but also kids / teens of all ages.”

All gyms that run teens bjj →

🩳 No-Gi 2 mentions

“BMAC in Somerville has a very nice facility and they don't just offer BJJ, but they can train you in muay thai, karate, nogi submission grappling.”

All gyms that run no-gi →

👤 Private Lessons

“I had the opportunity to take a private lesson with Professor Marcelo Siqueira today, and it was an outstanding experience.”

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🌱 Beginners 4 mentions

“The instructors are highly skilled, patient, and truly invested in your progress—whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced practitioner.”

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Other martial arts here

BJJ gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at Brazilian Martial Arts Center — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🥊 Muay Thai 5 mentions

“BMAC in Somerville has a very nice facility and they don't just offer BJJ, but they can train you in muay thai, karate, nogi submission grappling.”

Other gyms that also teach muay thai →

🎽 Karate

“BMAC in Somerville has a very nice facility and they don't just offer BJJ, but they can train you in muay thai, karate, nogi submission grappling.”

Other gyms that also teach karate →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the gym's own info — they show what members have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want MMA, muay thai, or wrestling alongside your BJJ, confirm the current schedule with the gym.

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 124 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 2 mentions

“Professor Marcelo runs a great curriculum not only for adults but also kids / teens of all ages.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 10 mentions

“The instructors are highly skilled, patient, and truly invested in your progress—whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced practitioner.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 14 mentions

“Technical clarity and friendly students are not only what make BMAC a school worth my time and money its the essence and elements of true grit.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 5 mentions

“BMAC under Professor Marcelo, built my foundation and fundamentals of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.”

🧼 clean, well-kept mats 3 mentions

“BMAC in Somerville has a very nice facility and they don't just offer BJJ, but they can train you in muay thai, karate, nogi submission grappling.”

💗 welcoming to women 2 mentions

“I know it can be intimidating, especially for females in a male dominated sport, but you will find nothing but love and hard work at this place.”

From the reviews

Love this place. I’ve been doing Muay Thai here for the last 6months and am hooked. I was going to another dojo not far from here and also loved it, but it came to the point where I felt like I wasn’t growing anymore in the sport there. I made the choice to switch gyms, and I am glad I did!

★★★★★ — Sarah, Mar 2023

I love this school. The instructors are very knowledgeable and very welcoming. With all the technical knowledge and seriousness of this school, the instructors are trying their best to form a community. We hang out for UFC matches and it’s always great to find company to watch these.

★★★★★ — Rutayan, Mar 2023

I LOVED VISITING BMAC WHILE IN BOSTON! I had the best tome handing out with Professor Marcelo and his team! They made me feel right at home and gave me the privilege to teach a class while visiting to promote American Grappling Federation! Thank you guys!

★★★★★ — Brian, Feb 2022

For the girls- I’m a small girl, but I grew up with older brothers who wrestled me any chance they got and that is why the idea of BJJ stood out to me. Despite that, I am petite and weak, no athletic background at all. I was terrified of joining.

★★★★★ — A, Nov 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 124 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Brazilian Martial Arts Center

Brazilian Martial Arts Center 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 Brazilian Martial Arts Center

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 Brazilian Martial Arts Center

700 Mystic Ave, Somerville, MA02145

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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.