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Elevate Jiu Jitsu Academy
4.9 ★★★★★ 52 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Westwood, New Jersey
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
- No-gi no-gi grappling classes — training in a rashguard and shorts, with faster scrambles and a natural bridge to MMA
- 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 elevatejiujitsuacademy.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (201) 389-8625
Hours
| Monday | 10–11:30 AM, 6–8:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 10 AM–12 PM, 5–8:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 10–11:30 AM, 6–8:30 PM |
| Thursday | 10 AM–12 PM, 5–8:30 PM |
| Friday | 10–11:30 AM, 6–7:30 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM–1:45 PM |
| Sunday | 11 AM–12:30 PM |
The classes they run
“Coaches Joey, Nick, and Danny are awesome with the kids—super patient, encouraging, and they really know how to make it fun while teaching solid skills in jiu jitsu.”
“I’ve been to this gym a few times, and every visit has been a great experience especially as a woman in a male dominated sport.”
“I tried a No-Gi class and the coach Joey was very informative and took time to explain anything that I had questions with.”
“Since I’m visiting from out of town, I didn’t have my stuff but he was happy enough to lend one of his Gi’s for me for the 6pm Gi class.”
“I did an open mat session which was run by the other head coach Nick, and it was great time.”
“I tried Muay Thai for the first time with Nick, the coach, and it was an amazing experience his instruction made it approachable and really helpful for a beginner like me.”
Other martial arts here
“I tried Muay Thai for the first time with Nick, the coach, and it was an amazing experience his instruction made it approachable and really helpful for a beginner like me.”
“Elevate Jiu Jitsu academy is the perfect MMA gym for anyone from beginners to seasoned practitioners.”
What members say
“I tried Muay Thai for the first time with Nick, the coach, and it was an amazing experience his instruction made it approachable and really helpful for a beginner like me.”
“I tried Muay Thai for the first time with Nick, the coach, and it was an amazing experience his instruction made it approachable and really helpful for a beginner like me.”
“It is a welcoming and safe environment for anyone who wants to get in shape, learn how to defend themselves, or work on their grappling and striking.”
“They have a great way of explaining techniques so they actually stick, and their passion for teaching really shines through.”
“Their new facility is large, clean, friendly, and has a host of amenities for both adults and kids looking to learn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu or Muy Thai.”
“I’ve seen my confidence grow, my fitness improve, and my skills get better every week, which has been super rewarding.”
From the reviews
Joey is a fantastic instructor and incredibly welcoming. If you are looking for a good workout, making new friends and learning world class bjj techniques, look no further. Love the facility, teachers and community. Can’t ask for more.
This was my very first time ever trying both Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai, and I can honestly say I loved every second of it. From the moment I walked in, the energy was welcoming, motivating, and professional. I was nervous as a beginner, but that disappeared almost instantly.
High quality and awesome jiu jitsu academy. If you live in the area it would be a huge missed opportunity to not come here and train. Super comfortable, chill and friendly environment that provides a great place to learn and get better quick.
I've been to a lot of BJJ Gyms and NY/NJ has some of the best in the country. This place has some of the best practitioners. It's also has a wonderful community of very serious players. Jiu Jitsu is an evolving martial art and Joey and Nick are two of the brightest of the new generation.
New to BJJ? Start at Elevate Jiu Jitsu Academy
Elevate Jiu Jitsu 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 Elevate Jiu Jitsu 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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