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Core Academy BJJ
5 ★★★★★ 35 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Ridgefield, Connecticut
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 6–12) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule coreacademybjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 203-529-1425
Hours
| Monday | 11 am–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 11 am–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 11 am–8 pm |
| Thursday | 11 am–8 pm |
| Friday | 11 am–8 pm |
| Saturday | 9 am–12 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“Professor Brandon and the other coaches emphasize to the kids the importance of leadership, consistency, tradition, mental fortitude, and personal growth on and off the mats.”
“I joined Core Academy with no martial arts background, wanting to train with my son, be a positive example, and help him build healthy habits and self-defense skills.”
“While coach Brandon is a skilled technician and teacher, his true gift is the culture he’s built and his investment in every student, from the highest level to beginner kids.”
What members say
“Professor Brandon has fostered one of the best training environments you could ask for at Core Academy, implementing an extremely effective and enjoyable style of coaching.”
“While coach Brandon is a skilled technician and teacher, his true gift is the culture he’s built and his investment in every student, from the highest level to beginner kids.”
“From the newest students all the way up to the brown and black belts, everyone here is humble, works hard and is invested in and actively contributes toward your success.”
“He even took the time to explain several details of techniques to me personally that will definitely improve my jiu jitsu.”
“He provides a clean, safe, and fun school to learn and train no matter where you are in your BJJ journey.”
From the reviews
Professor Brandon has been an influential teacher and positive influence to my teenage son (now 14) over the past 6 years or so, and he finally convinced me to start BJJ at Core Academy last month.
I began training at Core this past fall and will be hitting my 100th class this week. I began my jiu jitsu journey after watching my son participate in the youth program for 6 months. My only regret is not starting sooner. Professor Brandon has been a wonderful leader and instructor.
After nine months in the adult class at Core Academy Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under the guidance of Professor Brandon, I can confidently say it's my favorite thing to do. Learning Jiu Jitsu is hard work, but it is also so much fun.
If you’re looking for a safe and inviting place to learn BJJ with a great instructor and group of people, come experience Professor Durham’s Core Academy. Whether your objective is to learn practical self defense skills, improve your mental and physical fitness, or bring your BJJ game to the next level, you’ll likely…
New to BJJ? Start at Core Academy BJJ
Core Academy BJJ comes up as a beginner-friendly gym, going by their listing and members’ reviews. 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 Core Academy 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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