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Clayton Phillips Jiu Jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 73 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Norfolk, 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 — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- Women's classes dedicated women's BJJ classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
- 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 norfolkjiujitsu.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 757-651-3004
Hours
| Monday | 6–7:30 am, 4–8:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 4–8:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 6–7:30 am, 4–8:30 pm |
| Thursday | 6–7:30 am, 4–8:30 pm |
| Friday | 6–7:30 am, 6:30–8 pm |
| Saturday | 10 am–1 pm, 6:30–8 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“He takes his time teaching my son the skill and art of jiu jujitsu.”
“They also have a womens only class on Saturdays which makes it nice for new ladies.”
“A great mixture of both GI and NO GI styles of training.”
“Clayton really takes the time to be one on one with his students which makes a big difference.”
“Professor Clay is dedicated to imparting practical skills that truly work, ensuring that no time is wasted on impractical methods.”
“The environment fosters excellence for all levels of the art and imbues a love of learning.”
Other martial arts here
What members say
“Best black belt speeches I've ever heard🔥🔥 Great gym culture, great environment, great lessons.”
“From the first day I walked in it has been nothing but quality instruction from Clay and sparring from him and his students.”
“If you are brand new to grappling you will find a more than welcoming environment which simply wants you to learn and grow.”
“If you are an experienced practitioner you will find a combination of tested and innovate technique which is constantly improved upon.”
“Best black belt speeches I've ever heard🔥🔥 Great gym culture, great environment, great lessons.”
“They also have a womens only class on Saturdays which makes it nice for new ladies.”
From the reviews
It's been awhile since I felt this much joy on day one! I've been on many mats and of all of them there are few that on day one you just know this is a good space all around. Before I hit the mats the head coach was quick to call me back and answer all of my questions.
The personal and emotional investment that Professor Phillips invested in myself has elevated me to perform at a new level in all areas of my life. I am a more successful person after training at this gym. I have learned that people tend to either rise or fall to level of their peer group.
I live in VB, and I drive to class in Norfolk for Professor Clay's tutelage. Professor Clay fosters a team-first gym and the atmosphere is welcoming to all. There is no one system fits all approach, and Professor Clay will adjust his coaching to your individual skill sets.
I trained with Professor Clayton for a few months while in Norfolk VA. He is an amazing coach to both adults and kids. He truly cares for his students and the art of Jiu-jitsu. He is always looking for ways to motivate kids on the mat and with schoolwork.
New to BJJ? Start at Clayton Phillips Jiu Jitsu
Clayton Phillips Jiu Jitsu 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 Clayton Phillips Jiu Jitsu
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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