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Empower Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy

5 ★★★★★ 20 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Dorchester Center, Massachusetts

BJJ gym Free trial Kids & teens No-gi

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
  • Kids & youth classes kids and youth BJJ classes (ages 4–7) — 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
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule empowerbjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule

Hours

Monday 4:15–9 PM
Tuesday 4:15–9 PM
Wednesday 4:15–9 PM
Thursday 4:15–9 PM
Friday 4:15–7:30 PM
Saturday 9:15 AM–12 PM
Sunday Closed

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

🧒 Kids BJJ 2 mentions

“Great for children, mine have been going for years and can't tell you how much they've retained from fantastic instruction.”

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Teens BJJ

“I was looking for a place to continue training after I finished high school and college wrestling.”

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🩳 No-Gi

“We also train gi and no-gi.”

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🥋 Gi

“We also train gi and no-gi.”

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🔓 Open Mat 2 mentions

“Dropped in to attend an Open Mat at Empower BJJ.”

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🛡️ Self-Defense

“He's extremely generous with his knowledge and can just as easily share the nuances on self defense vs.”

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Other martial arts here

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

🤸 Wrestling

“I was looking for a place to continue training after I finished high school and college wrestling.”

Other gyms that also teach wrestling →

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 20 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 4 mentions

“Amazing instructions for adults and kids.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 5 mentions

“Very welcoming studio with incredibly knowledgeable and respectful instructor.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 6 mentions

“Very welcoming studio with incredibly knowledgeable and respectful instructor.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 5 mentions

“Coach is very thoughtful and intentional with the details he teaches during demonstrations.”

From the reviews

Dropped in to attend an Open Mat at Empower BJJ...Michael and Alissa were very welcoming. The gym is clean and simple - no frills, just solid BJJ. There was the option of drilling, and a little instruction before we finished the open mat session with rolls. Solid rolls here, everyone is very respectful.

★★★★★ — Diane, Aug 2019

I've been training at Empower since the beginning and I love learning the art of jiu jitsu here. Coach is very thoughtful and intentional with the details he teaches during demonstrations. Also love the all white look ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

★★★★★ — Andrew, Apr 2021

I love training here. Michael, the teacher, is top notch. He's extremely generous with his knowledge and can just as easily share the nuances on self defense vs. competition. The students are welcoming, patient, and very easy to get along with.

★★★★★ — Mike, Dec 2023

I’ve trained with Michael for couple years. To be honest you will be impressed by his superb techniques and knowledge. Different as many other bjj instructors who neglect standing techniques, Michael also has excellent takedown skills.

★★★★★ — Kevin, May 2020

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 20 reviews →

Your first BJJ class at Empower Brazilian 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. 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 Empower Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy

374 Washington St, Dorchester Center, MA02124

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.