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Gabrieles Martial Arts
4.7 ★★★★★ 79 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Waterford, Connecticut
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
- Private lessons private, one-on-one coaching available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule gabrielesmartialarts.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 860-439-0602
Hours
| Monday | 8 am–12 pm, 3–9 pm |
| Tuesday | 8:30–11:30 am, 3–9 pm |
| Wednesday | 8 am–12 pm, 3–9 pm |
| Thursday | 8–11:30 am, 3–9 pm |
| Friday | 9 am–12 pm, 3–7 pm |
| Saturday | 7:30 am–2:30 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“We have been working out here for almost half a year, my son loves the atmosphere here, the coaches are very patient and friendly, and he has met many new friends here”
“I trained Tae Kwon Do, and fought competitively, as a teenager and I knew exactly what I was looking for in the summer of 2012 when I found GMA.”
“It is not for the person who is looking to compete in the ring or an arena.”
“I’ve been attending classes and private sessions for 3 years and recently enrolled my son in the jujutsu juniors program.”
“Great place to train self defense Jiu-jitsu!”
Other martial arts here
“Gabrieles Martial Arts (GMA) is hands down the best Academy in the area for training Jujitsu, Karate and Kickboxing.”
“Our 11-year-old daughter absolutely loves her karate classes, and all her very knowledgeable and professional instructors!”
What members say
“The environment is very family focused, Renshi Jason & Sensei Sheryle are great instructors and take the time to help each student work on their form.”
“Everyone is kind and welcoming, and there’s always something new to learn.”
“We have been working out here for almost half a year, my son loves the atmosphere here, the coaches are very patient and friendly, and he has met many new friends here”
“We have been working out here for almost half a year, my son loves the atmosphere here, the coaches are very patient and friendly, and he has met many new friends here”
“It is not for the person who is looking to compete in the ring or an arena.”
“There is no other Academy in the area where you can learn from a Jujitsu Black Belt who was trained by the son of the very founder of Gracie Jujitsu, Grand Master Hélio Gracie.”
From the reviews
We have only been taking our children there for about a month now, and really think they do a great job educating and training. Our son has shown improvement in his daly life with respect and is excited for his two classes a week. We hope the same for our daughter, who will start next week.
Gabrieles Martial Arts (GMA) is hands down the best Academy in the area for training Jujitsu, Karate and Kickboxing. I trained Tae Kwon Do, and fought competitively, as a teenager and I knew exactly what I was looking for in the summer of 2012 when I found GMA.
Both my son attended this Dojo. The kids started martial arts at this facility. All employees and owner were kind and friendly. They were very direct and went over everything. My oldest wears hearing aides and is autistic and they were amazing with him.
Gabrieles Martial Arts studio has been a wonderful experience for our family. My 6 year old son started in September and has been having a lot of fun! He's showing me with excitement all the things he's learning.
New to BJJ? Start at Gabrieles Martial Arts
Gabrieles Martial Arts 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.
Your first BJJ class at Gabrieles Martial Arts
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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