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Excellence School of Jiu Jitsu

4.9 ★★★★★ 91 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Prescott, Arizona

BJJ gym Free trial Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens No-gi

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
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule esjjprescott.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (310) 977-0889

Hours

Monday 11:30 AM–7:30 PM
Tuesday 7 AM–7:30 PM
Wednesday 9 AM–7:30 PM
Thursday 7 AM–7:30 PM
Friday 3–6:30 PM
Saturday 9–11 AM
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 Excellence School of Jiu Jitsu, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 14 mentions

“Discover the incredible world of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at this exceptional facility that caters to people of all ages and genders, including kids, adults, women, and men.”

All gyms that run kids bjj →

💪 Women's BJJ

“I love women’s class and the especial attention for kids class!”

All gyms that run women's bjj →

🌱 Beginners 6 mentions

“The instructors, Celo and Kelly, are highly knowledgeable and patient, creating a welcoming environment 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 Excellence School of Jiu Jitsu — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

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 91 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 6 mentions

“Great academy, with great instructors had a really good experience there, even with a full class the professors gave attention to everybody.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 10 mentions

“The atmosphere is nothing short of extraordinary, providing a welcoming and nurturing space for everyone to embark on their martial arts journey.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 5 mentions

“The atmosphere is nothing short of extraordinary, providing a welcoming and nurturing space for everyone to embark on their martial arts journey.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 4 mentions

“Kelly makes the kids class so fun and Celo really drives home the details of each move.”

💗 welcoming to women 2 mentions

“Discover the incredible world of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at this exceptional facility that caters to people of all ages and genders, including kids, adults, women, and men.”

🧠 builds confidence & discipline 3 mentions

“Instructor Celo’s method of instruction is great for building confidence in kids so they get comfortable, and start learning.”

From the reviews

Professor Celo teaches the true art of jiu jitsu to all levels, from beginners to Black belts. He breaks down the techniques so it’s easy to replicate and understand. His classes are always fun and hard for those who like to be challenged. Josh B- Gracie Humaita Black Belt

★★★★★ — Joshua, Aug 2023

ESJJ Prescott is a great place to train with a welcoming environment and great training partners. I am a new adult white belt and have always felt welcome in class. Coach Celo is a great teacher with decades of BJJ experience. Coach Kelly is also great with the kids classes.

★★★★★ — Matthew, Sep 2023

The instructors, Celo and Kelly, are highly knowledgeable and patient, creating a welcoming environment for all skill levels. The classes are well-structured, focusing on both fundamentals and advanced techniques. The academy also places a strong emphasis on safety and respect, making it a great place to train.

★★★★★ — Ed, Oct 2023

This is a great school to learn Jiu Jitsu. Both of my kids are currently attending. Instructor Celo’s method of instruction is great for building confidence in kids so they get comfortable, and start learning. I highly recommend anyone reading this to come in and give it a shot. You will love it!!!!

★★★★★ — D, Aug 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 91 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Excellence School of Jiu Jitsu

Excellence School of 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 Excellence School of 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 Excellence School of Jiu Jitsu

3400 Gateway Blvd, Prescott, AZ86303

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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.