HomeNorth CarolinaWinterville › East Carolina Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

East Carolina Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

4.8 ★★★★★ 47 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Winterville, North Carolina

BJJ gym Beginners welcome Kids & teens 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
  • 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 eastcarolinabjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 252-493-6630

Hours

Monday Open 24 hours
Tuesday Open 24 hours
Wednesday Open 24 hours
Thursday Open 24 hours
Friday Open 24 hours
Saturday Open 24 hours
Sunday Open 24 hours

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 East Carolina Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 17 mentions

“I have also have taken Jiu Jitsu classes with Heath Chapman for years and he creates a positive learning environment for everyone, including women and children.”

All gyms that run kids bjj →

🔓 Open Mat

“There’s always something going on, from structured classes to open mat sessions, and the energy in the room is contagious.”

All gyms that run open mat →

🛡️ Self-Defense

“If you are interested in jiu jitsu, self-defense, or overall personal fitness, I humbly suggest you come here.”

All gyms that run self-defense →

🌱 Beginners 4 mentions

“The techniques are broken down to a rudimentary level and makes learning easy for all skill levels.”

All gyms that run beginners →

Other martial arts here

BJJ gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at East Carolina Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🏟️ MMA 3 mentions

“We have helped in the training of mma fighters before, but on an ad hoc basis.”

Other gyms that also teach mma →

🤼 Judo

“Aside from his BJJ blackbelt granted by Robson Moura, he also possesses blackbelts in Judo and Hakko Ryu Jiu-Jitsu.”

Other gyms that also teach judo →

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 47 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 10 mentions

“As for me, it's like having a second family, great instructor and training partners that are always willing to help each other become the best that each of us can become.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 4 mentions

“5 years ago, and I was terrified when I walked through the doors for the first time.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 23 mentions

“As for me, it's like having a second family, great instructor and training partners that are always willing to help each other become the best that each of us can become.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 5 mentions

“Pro: MUCH lower cost gym with new equipment, good atmosphere, large number of high level training partners, quality technique instruction.”

great workout & conditioning 4 mentions

“The equipment is in great shape, the gym is clean and quiet, and I can get a workout in 24/7.”

🧒 strong kids program 4 mentions

“My son loves it, he has met a lot of new friends and is learning valuable life lessons about hard work, respect, and being a good sport.”

From the reviews

My son began taking BJJ at ECBJJ in March 2022. He thoroughly enjoys it and since joining he has become a totally different person. He’s building confidence that he lacked previously and enjoys socializing with his peers. Everyone there encourages each other and is always willing to help.

★★★★★ — Jwr, Jun 2022

I know it sounds over the top, but ECBJJ changed my life. I joined the gym about 2.5 years ago, and I was terrified when I walked through the doors for the first time. In fact, I doubted that I could do it. But ECBJJ is such an exceptional environment, I've been able to practice and enjoy it ever since.

★★★★★ — Daniel, Jan 2016

My 6 year old son and I have been training here for about 2 years. My son loves it, he has met a lot of new friends and is learning valuable life lessons about hard work, respect, and being a good sport.

★★★★★ — Charles, Jan 2016

As a female, I enjoy working out in a nice, clean, safe facility with plenty of equipment options. I have also have taken Jiu Jitsu classes with Heath Chapman for years and he creates a positive learning environment for everyone, including women and children.

★★★★★ — Colleen, Jan 2016

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 47 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at East Carolina Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

East Carolina 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.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first BJJ class at East Carolina 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.

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 East Carolina Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

4776-A, Reedy Branch Rd, Winterville, NC28590

Get directions

More BJJ gyms near Winterville

Greenville Jiu Jitsu

5 ★★★★★ 29 reviews

208 E Arlington Blvd, Greenville, NC

🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site

BJJ gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons Affiliated expert, high-level coachingwelcoming to beginnersno-ego, friendly academy

4.4 miles away

AAMAA Greenville Academy Mixed Martial Arts TEAM GAMMA

4.8 ★★★★★ 37 reviews

427 Evans St, Greenville, NC

🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site

Ages 6–12

BJJ gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens No-gi Competition team Affiliated welcoming to beginnersno-ego, friendly academystrong technique & fundamentals

5.8 miles away

Kinston Brazilian jiu-jitsu

5 ★★★★★ 3 reviews

4150 W Vernon Ave, Kinston, NC

BJJ gym

23.0 miles away

All BJJ gyms in Winterville, NC →

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.