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Camal and Cruz Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy
5 ★★★★★ 82 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Totowa, New Jersey
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 — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- 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 camalandcruz.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 973-256-0110
Hours
| Monday | 11:30 am–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 5–9 pm |
| Wednesday | 11:30 am–8 pm |
| Thursday | 5–9 pm |
| Friday | 1–7 pm |
| Saturday | 10 am–1 pm |
| Sunday | 11 am–1 pm |
The classes they run
“All three of my kids and husband have been learning so much here and Sensai Anthony Camal is a real likeable guy atop being a great instructor.”
“Sensei Camal is a no nonsense instructor, old school, and instills toughness, grit, and discipline in all his students to eventually compete in Judo.”
“Perfect place to learn for self defense and even compete.”
“The coaches are highly skilled, approachable, and truly invested in each student’s progress, making it an ideal place for practitioners of all levels.”
Other martial arts here
“I find Camal Judo to be an energizing dojo from walking in with a warm friendly greeting at the office to a great compassionate coach with Sensei Camal.”
What members say
“under the guidance of Jamie Cruz who is a great professor and owner of the academy - I give this place a 10/10 and highly recommended for training”
“The coaches are highly skilled, approachable, and truly invested in each student’s progress, making it an ideal place for practitioners of all levels.”
“I find Camal Judo to be an energizing dojo from walking in with a warm friendly greeting at the office to a great compassionate coach with Sensei Camal.”
“Professor Cruz has an incredible knowledge of the fine details of Jiu Jitsu and expects the most out of his students technique wise.”
“Sensei Camal is a no nonsense instructor, old school, and instills toughness, grit, and discipline in all his students to eventually compete in Judo.”
“Wow what an experience learning from a long time Renzo Gracie black belt Jaime Cruz.”
From the reviews
We brought our daughter to camal judo when she was 4 years old and she has learned so much from Sensi Camal in these past 3 years, she just started jiu jitsu a Few weeks ago with Sensi Cruz and it has helped her improve a lot both Sensis have so much love and patience to teach the kids and experience.
Great judo instruction and learning philosophy that focuses on individual student learning. All three of my kids and husband have been learning so much here and Sensai Anthony Camal is a real likeable guy atop being a great instructor.
I lost track of time… It must have been at least 8+ years that I’ve been training with the late Sensie Anthony Camal (Principal Judo teacher), Jamie Cruz (head BJJ coach), and the many talented instructors and helpful students that makes this place so amazing. This facility is an integral part of my family’s lifestyle.
Training at Camal and Cruz changed my life and pushed me to a limit I never knew existed. Sensei Camal is a no nonsense instructor, old school, and instills toughness, grit, and discipline in all his students to eventually compete in Judo.
New to BJJ? Start at Camal and Cruz Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy
Camal and Cruz Judo and Brazilian 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 Camal and Cruz Judo and 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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