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Crucible Jiu Jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 67 Google reviews · BJJ gym in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania
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
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Website & schedule cruciblejiujitsu.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 570-671-1212
The classes they run
“We have been so very blessed our whole family with this wonderful way for my children and I to learn self defense, discipline, also some great friendships that were introduced.”
“If you're looking to get in shape or even want to compete or just self-defense, then this is the place to be.”
“It almost feels like every class is a private lesson.”
“We have been so very blessed our whole family with this wonderful way for my children and I to learn self defense, discipline, also some great friendships that were introduced.”
“I only met Jesse a month ago and this was the first time seeing him since meeting him and him inviting me to visit his new academy.”
Other martial arts here
What members say
“The last and most important is the instructor. Jesse Cruz is a very knowledgeable instructor, well beyond a typical black belt.”
“I only met Jesse a month ago and this was the first time seeing him since meeting him and him inviting me to visit his new academy.”
“We have been so very blessed our whole family with this wonderful way for my children and I to learn self defense, discipline, also some great friendships that were introduced.”
“A Kids friendly, beginner friendly environment with an emphasis on the fundamentals of BJJ and its teachings.”
“We have been so very blessed our whole family with this wonderful way for my children and I to learn self defense, discipline, also some great friendships that were introduced.”
“If you're looking to get in shape or even want to compete or just self-defense, then this is the place to be.”
From the reviews
I visited this academy on 8/31/2022 and had a great experience. The first thing good thing to say is, I was greeted at the door by the owner. A lot of times it can be awkward showing up to a martial arts academy to train, but in this experience I felt very welcome by all.
Crucible Jiu Jitsu is the perfect place to train. The atmosphere is super friendly, and Jesse and Justine are incredible owners/trainers who really know how to teach and push you. The classes are a great mix of learning solid techniques and getting an awesome workout.
Great , experienced coaches/ professor's. A Kids friendly, beginner friendly environment with an emphasis on the fundamentals of BJJ and its teachings. Veteran owned too! Would highly recommend Crucible Jiu-jitsu to anyone interested! 5/5 stars.
Had my first class yesterday. It was my first experience in any form of martial arts. Great teacher, was easy to follow along and had multiple opportunities to put everything into practice. I'm a bit of a couch potato and not in very good shape, and was still able to pull it off.
New to BJJ? Start at Crucible Jiu Jitsu
Crucible Jiu Jitsu 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 Crucible 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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