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Elizabethtown Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

5 ★★★★★ 11 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania

BJJ gym Free trial Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens Competition team

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
  • 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 elizabethtownjiujitsu.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 717-350-8554

Hours

Monday 10–11 am, 7:30–8:30 pm
Tuesday 6–7 pm
Wednesday 7:30–8:30 pm
Thursday 7:30–8:30 pm
Friday Closed
Saturday 3–4 pm
Sunday 9–10 am

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

🧒 Kids BJJ 6 mentions

“My son and I both joined in February and cannot get enough.”

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🏆 Competition Team

“Whether you’re looking to improve your fitness, learn self-defense, or compete, Elizabethtown Jiu Jitsu provides the perfect setting to achieve your goals.”

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🛡️ Self-Defense

“Whether you’re looking to improve your fitness, learn self-defense, or compete, Elizabethtown Jiu Jitsu provides the perfect setting to achieve your goals.”

All gyms that run self-defense →

🌱 Beginners

“The environment is both welcoming and challenging, ideal for beginners and seasoned practitioners alike.”

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What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 11 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 3 mentions

“Nate is an excellent instructor, he’s down to earth, knowledgeable, keeps classes fun and well structured.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 6 mentions

“The classes provide a welcoming atmosphere and structure for both new students and experienced athletes.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 9 mentions

“Nate is an excellent instructor, he’s down to earth, knowledgeable, keeps classes fun and well structured.”

💵 good value / fair pricing 2 mentions

“Totally worth every bit of the very affordable cost, plus there are no contracts”

💗 welcoming to women 2 mentions

“Ladies- the men are respectful, helpful, and very sweet (and patient)…don’t wait to sign up because you will kick yourself for not doing so sooner once you see how fun it is.”

From the reviews

As a recent member of Elizabethtown Jiu Jitsu, and being 53 years old, I cannot recommend this gym highly enough. Under the guidance of Coach Nate, my skills and fitness have soared, proving it's never too late to start something new.

★★★★★ — Eric, Apr 2024

I got my blue belt through this school. Coach Merkel trained under some of the old school BJJ legends. Hes very knowledgeable and explains things in an easy to understand manner. There is a wide skill set there and everyone is cool and accepting. Don't feel intimidated to start training.

★★★★★ — Tony, Apr 2024

E-Town BJJ is a welcoming environment for new or experienced practitioners. My 18 YO son has been training under Coach Nate for 3 years. The lessons he has learned with this group has served him in life on and off the mat. The people, the training, and the environment will elevate your life.

★★★★★ — Jared, May 2024

This gym is the perfect place to start your jiu jitsu journey- my daughter does the kids class as well as the kid/adult combo fundamentals class on Tuesdays and it is (by far) her favorite activity- Coach Nate should be nominated for sainthood…the kids learn valuable skills while having a ton of fun and everyone is…

★★★★★ — Gretchen, Apr 2026

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 11 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Elizabethtown Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Elizabethtown Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 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.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first BJJ class at Elizabethtown 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 Elizabethtown Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

101 Cherry St, Elizabethtown, PA17022

Get directions

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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.