HomeConnecticutBranford › Endure Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Academy Branford

Endure Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Academy Branford

5 ★★★★★ 19 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Branford, Connecticut

BJJ gym Free trial Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens No-gi 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
  • Women's classes dedicated women's BJJ classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
  • 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 endurejj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (203) 506-8883

Hours

Monday 7–8:30 PM
Tuesday 6–8:30 PM
Wednesday Closed
Thursday 6–8:30 PM
Friday 6–8:30 PM
Saturday Closed
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 Endure Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Academy Branford, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 3 mentions

“Kids and adults alike learn great skills, grow immensely and build great relationships.”

All gyms that run kids bjj →

🏆 Competition Team

“Jesse is kind, clear, and happy to help whether you're a seasoned competitor or brand new off the street.”

All gyms that run competition team →

🌱 Beginners 4 mentions

“Jesse (owner/instructor) and CJ (instructor) provide exceptional instruction to both beginner and advanced students.”

All gyms that run beginners →

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 19 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 4 mentions

“Coach Jesse is a great coach and an ever better person, takes time in teaching you and making sure you learn”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 3 mentions

“Jesse (owner/instructor) and CJ (instructor) provide exceptional instruction to both beginner and advanced students.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 5 mentions

“Everyone who trains here is friendly, humble, and eager to learn.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 3 mentions

“CJ brings innovative techniques and a warm, positive attitude to everything he does.”

🧼 clean, well-kept mats 4 mentions

“Endure Brazilian Jiujitsu, Branford offers a bright, clean, safe environment.”

🧠 builds confidence & discipline 4 mentions

“He’s learned a lot in such a short time and I’ve seen an increase in his confidence”

From the reviews

Endure Brazilian Jiujitsu, Branford offers a bright, clean, safe environment. Jesse (owner/instructor) and CJ (instructor) provide exceptional instruction to both beginner and advanced students. I love learning from Jesse because his instruction is detailed and straightforward.

★★★★★ — Christina, Oct 2025

When I think of a Jiu Jitsu Academy The people and the environment are the first things that come to mind. The owner and professor, Jesse, has created such a fun and comfortable environment for all, and with that the people here are amazing.

★★★★★ — Cj, Oct 2025

Endure is a great bjj school for adults and kids. Owner and Instructor Jesse has been my teacher for 8 years. His knowledge of jiu jitsu and coaching and 2nd to none. Endure Bjj is perfect for beginners and high level athletes. The new Branford location is a convenient location with plenty of parking.

★★★★★ — Stephen, Oct 2025

Best ju jitsu gym in CT! Coach Jesse is a great coach and an ever better person, takes time in teaching you and making sure you learn

★★★★★ — Saut, Oct 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 19 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Endure Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Academy Branford

Endure Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Academy Branford 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 Endure Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Academy Branford

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 Endure Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Academy Branford

249 W Main St, Branford, CT06405

Get directions

More BJJ gyms near Branford

Ronin BJJ

4.9 ★★★★★ 84 reviews

1175 State St #215, New Haven, CT

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

3.8 miles away

Carlson gracie Jiu-jitsu

4.4 ★★★★☆ 7 reviews

85 Willow St, New Haven, CT

BJJ gym Affiliated

4.1 miles away

Elite Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ)

5 ★★★★★ 25 reviews

221 Bull Hill Ln Unit C-1 Rear, West Haven, CT

BJJ gym Kids & teens Affiliated expert, high-level coachingno-ego, friendly academystrong technique & fundamentals

6.9 miles away

All BJJ gyms in Branford, CT →

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.