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Crest Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
4.9 ★★★★★ 72 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Hampstead, North Carolina
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
- 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
- Open mat open-mat rolling sessions for members to practice live — always optional and at your own pace
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule bjjhampstead.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 910-218-1251
Hours
| Monday | 5:45–8 am, 4–9 pm |
| Tuesday | 4–9 pm |
| Wednesday | 5:45–8 am, 4:45–9 pm |
| Thursday | 4–9 pm |
| Friday | 5:45–8 am |
| Saturday | 8–10:30 am |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“Safety is the number one concern, whether it be for yourself or your kids, and you can trust that the instructors are very mindful of that every class.”
“No-Gi and Gi classes offered, evening Gi class was about 30 students with plenty of room for rolls and everyone was having a great time.”
“No-Gi and Gi classes offered, evening Gi class was about 30 students with plenty of room for rolls and everyone was having a great time.”
“Whether you’re a beginner trying to figure out what the heck “De La Riva” and “Berimbolo” is, to the advanced competitor, there is something for everyone.”
“There is a lot of one on one interaction, even in a group setting.”
“I do highly recommend the open mat time, and I do plan to be back the next time I'm in town.”
“Whether you want to improve your physical shape, learn self defense or train to compete, Crest is the place to be.”
“Whether you’re a beginner trying to figure out what the heck “De La Riva” and “Berimbolo” is, to the advanced competitor, there is something for everyone.”
What members say
“They will not waste your time here and truly are welcoming to everyone no matter the any demographic, stage of life, or experience level.”
“Crest has become a home away from home for my family, the atmosphere is comfortable and inviting, the coaches are fantastic and professional.”
“The coaches are welcoming and knowledgeable and are able to teach their techniques to people of all skill levels.”
“Since June I have lost 40lbs!”
“As a parent, it is great to see my child’s confidence, physics fitness, and self-discipline improve by bounds in the four months she has been training.”
From the reviews
Very family friendly atmosphere! All of the intructors are great, they have classes for all age groups and everyone is made to feel welcomed and comfortable no matter the skill level. My four kids and I have been training there since June and we all feel like the staff and members at Crest have become like family.
Crest has a great atmosphere and a family friendly environment. The coaches are knowledgeable and patient. Lessons are taught to the groups as a whole, and then tailored to each person to perfect their technique. There is a lot of one on one interaction, even in a group setting.
I’ve been training at Crest BJJ since they first opened and I couldn’t ask for a better gym to be associated with. Whether you want to improve your physical shape, learn self defense or train to compete, Crest is the place to be. Top notch instructors, great training partners and a welcoming family atmosphere.
I've trained for ten years a can honestly say that Crest is a great place to train for everybody, with a big emphasis on community/family. The morning classes are great for everyone who has to rush off to work with M-F starting at 5:45am and no pressure to stay through the whole thing becuase the coaches are very…
New to BJJ? Start at Crest Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Crest Brazilian 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 Crest Brazilian 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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