HomeConnecticutStratford › Cruvinel Brothers Brazilian Jiujitsu / GFTeam

Cruvinel Brothers Brazilian Jiujitsu / GFTeam

5 ★★★★★ 14 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Stratford, Connecticut

BJJ gym Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons Competition team

Plan your first class

  • 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
  • Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule cruvinelbrothers.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (203) 258-7063

Hours

Monday 6 AM–9 PM
Tuesday 6 AM–9 PM
Wednesday 6 AM–9 PM
Thursday 6 AM–6 PM
Friday 6 AM–9 PM
Saturday 6 AM–9 PM
Sunday 6 AM–9 PM

Hours shift for holidays, seminars, and open-gym times — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

BJJ classes on the schedule at Cruvinel Brothers Brazilian Jiujitsu / GFTeam, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 3 mentions

“The kids program is great and the school is very welcoming to new comers!”

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🏆 Competition Team 2 mentions

“Good for someone looking to compete in sport Jiu jitsu, learn self defense or just to get in great shape!”

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🛡️ Self-Defense

“Good for someone looking to compete in sport Jiu jitsu, learn self defense or just to get in great shape!”

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Other martial arts here

BJJ gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at Cruvinel Brothers Brazilian Jiujitsu / GFTeam — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the gym's own info — they show what members have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want MMA, muay thai, or wrestling alongside your BJJ, confirm the current schedule with the gym.

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 14 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 3 mentions

“John and Thiago are excellent professors!”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 4 mentions

“The kids program is great and the school is very welcoming to new comers!”

great workout & conditioning 2 mentions

“Good for someone looking to compete in sport Jiu jitsu, learn self defense or just to get in great shape!”

active competition team 2 mentions

“Good for someone looking to compete in sport Jiu jitsu, learn self defense or just to get in great shape!”

From the reviews

Just moved here and tried it out for the kids. They absolutely love it! The instructors are patient and know their stuff! The other students and parents have helped this feel like home. I recommend this place for anyone I interested in bjj in and around Stratford.

★★★★★ — Guy, Jul 2017

If your looking for a high level Jiu Jitsu school this is it .... The kids program is great and the school is very welcoming to new comers!!! My kids have attended for 2yrs and going strong, I highly recommend you check it out for yourself !!!

★★★★★ — E, Jul 2017

John and Thiago are excellent professors! I fell in love my first visit and haven't left! Good for someone looking to compete in sport Jiu jitsu, learn self defense or just to get in great shape!

★★★★★ — Michael, Jul 2017

Amazing energy at Cruvinel Brothers - GF Team! High-level jiu jitsu instruction and a super positive vibe. You’ll grow on and off the mats!

★★★★★ — Ricky, Aug 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 14 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Cruvinel Brothers Brazilian Jiujitsu / GFTeam

Cruvinel Brothers Brazilian Jiujitsu / GFTeam 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.

See their beginner class info

Your first BJJ class at Cruvinel Brothers Brazilian Jiujitsu / GFTeam

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.

BJJ is a contact sport. Ease in, tap early and often, listen to your coaches, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find Cruvinel Brothers Brazilian Jiujitsu / GFTeam

Merchants Walk Shopping Center 60 Access Road, Stratford, CT06614

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this gym? Claim your listing — it's free.