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Dandelion Brazilian Jiu-jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 81 Google reviews · BJJ gym in West Haven, 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 — 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
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule dandelionbjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (203) 701-9810
Hours
| Monday | 6 AM–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 6 AM–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 6 AM–8 PM |
| Thursday | 6 AM–8 PM |
| Friday | 6 AM–8 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM–12:30 PM |
| Sunday | 6 AM–8 PM |
The classes they run
“Coach Pete does an AWESOME job with the kids program, I’ve never been so comfortable with a program like this!”
“I was able to drop in for their early morning Gi Jiu Jitsu class that was ran by James.”
“Whether you are a hobbyist or someone who wants to compete regularly, Dandelion is the place to be.”
“I’ve been doing personal training with Nick and kickboxing with MJ, and both have been fantastic.”
“They’re able to breakdown everything they’re teaching into easy concepts for any and all levels to understand and you can tell that they actually care about their students.”
Other martial arts here
“I highly recommend MJ to anyone looking to get into kickboxing or take their training to the next level!”
“Dandelion Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Wrestling is an amazing gym in West Haven, CT!”
What members say
“My jiu-jitsu has gotten exponentially better since training with James and Gabe, which is a testament to their years of experience and world-class instruction.”
“They’re able to breakdown everything they’re teaching into easy concepts for any and all levels to understand and you can tell that they actually care about their students.”
“Every one is so respectful and the owner said hi to all the parents, which makes this place more like a family center place.”
“They’re able to breakdown everything they’re teaching into easy concepts for any and all levels to understand and you can tell that they actually care about their students.”
“If you are looking for your child to gain strength and build confidence in a fun and inviting atmosphere Dandelion Jiu Jitsu is the place!”
“Whether you are a hobbyist or someone who wants to compete regularly, Dandelion is the place to be.”
From the reviews
My son just started at Dandelion Jiu-Jitsu and his very first class was absolutely amazing. He was so excited to learn and couldn’t stop talking about it after. The coach is incredibly hands-on, patient, and truly involved with the kids.
I’ve been training at Dandelion and have had a really great experience so far. I’ve been doing personal training with Nick and kickboxing with MJ, and both have been fantastic. Nick is an excellent personal trainer.
Starting BJJ and nearing 40 could be pretty intimidating, but the coaches (as well as my training partners) at Dandelion are not only patient with us newer people, but are truly invested in our growth.
Dandelion Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Wrestling is an amazing gym in West Haven, CT!! James and Gabe are patient, kind teachers who individualize instruction and make each student feel special and capable. I took a chance signing up my son with Down Syndrome.
New to BJJ? Start at Dandelion Brazilian Jiu-jitsu
Dandelion Brazilian 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 Dandelion 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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