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Defensive Edge Martial Arts Academy
4.8 ★★★★★ 101 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Wakefield, Massachusetts
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
- 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
- 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
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule defensive-edge.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 781-245-0250
Hours
| Monday | 4–9 pm |
| Tuesday | 6–7 am, 12–1 pm, 4–8:15 pm |
| Wednesday | 9–10 am, 4–9 pm |
| Thursday | 12–1 pm, 4–8:15 pm |
| Friday | 6–7 am, 9–10 am, 4–9 pm |
| Saturday | 8:45 am–1 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“The coaches are incredibly professional,highly skilled,and they truly care about your progress weather your a competitor or someone just starting out, even kids all ages!”
“The coaches are incredibly professional,highly skilled,and they truly care about your progress weather your a competitor or someone just starting out, even kids all ages!”
“Connor Barry is one of the best jiu jitsu coaches in the area, highly recommend hitting his classes or taking a private lesson with him.”
“They offer a variety of classes, so there’s something for everyone, whether you’re interested in Brazilian jiu jitsu, Muay Thai (kickboxing), self-defense, or fitness training.”
“Walking into a martial arts gym can be intimidating for someone who has never trained before, but the people here will make you forget all about that almost immediately.”
Other martial arts here
“They offer a variety of classes, so there’s something for everyone, whether you’re interested in Brazilian jiu jitsu, Muay Thai (kickboxing), self-defense, or fitness training.”
“When I searched I found MMA with defensive edge instead and I knew from the start this was the only place that I wanted us to go to.”
“Whether is boxing, mma, Muay Thai, self defense, fitness or bjj they offer a variety of classes that cater to both youth and adult!”
“They offer a variety of classes, so there’s something for everyone, whether you’re interested in Brazilian jiu jitsu, Muay Thai (kickboxing), self-defense, or fitness training.”
“I’m a single mother and my 6 year old daughter asked for “karate” lessons in sept last year 2019.”
What members say
“The instructors are knowledgeable and approachable, always creating a welcoming atmosphere that makes everyone feel comfortable, no matter their level.”
“The instructors are knowledgeable and approachable, always creating a welcoming atmosphere that makes everyone feel comfortable, no matter their level.”
“It's a fantastic place for people of all ages to learn valuable self-defense techniques with a welcoming environment.”
“Their kids program is fantastic, they win competitions constantly, and the classes are always packed with kids and the smiling faces of parents.”
“The coaches are incredibly professional,highly skilled,and they truly care about your progress weather your a competitor or someone just starting out, even kids all ages!”
“They are worth every single penny you spend on training as an adult or for your children/family.”
From the reviews
Defensive Edge is an amazing martial arts school. Josh and his team of coaches are some of the most genuine and knowledgeable people I have had the pleasure to train with. The school is always clean and the classes are always fun and challenging.
I walked into Defensive edge around 7 years ago and haven't looked back. DE is very well kept, well equipped, and offers a variety of training options. The coaches are incredibly professional,highly skilled,and they truly care about your progress weather your a competitor or someone just starting out, even kids all…
I can't say enough great things about Defensive Edge! My kids started training here first and had an amazing experience. The instructors were incredible with them—patient, encouraging, and made every class fun. Watching how much they were growing in confidence and skills inspired me to give it a try myself.
I started training at Defensive Edge 7 years ago, as a father of two in my 40s, after taking my daughter to a birthday party hosted there. I saw how the instructors made the challenge of learning martial arts fun and accessible while taking skill development and fitness seriously.
New to BJJ? Start at Defensive Edge Martial Arts Academy
Defensive Edge Martial Arts Academy 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 Defensive Edge Martial Arts Academy
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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