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Ground Work Jiu-Jitsu

5 ★★★★★ 50 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Stamford, Connecticut

BJJ gym Beginners welcome Kids & teens

Plan your first class

  • 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
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule groundworkjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (844) 998-3962

Hours

Monday 8 AM–9 PM
Tuesday 8 AM–9 PM
Wednesday 8 AM–9 PM
Thursday 8 AM–9 PM
Friday 8 AM–9 PM
Saturday 9 AM–5 PM
Sunday 10 AM–12 PM

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

🧒 Kids BJJ 18 mentions

“Coach Evan used to coach my son years ago, and when I signed him back up after all these years he welcomed my son with open arms.”

All gyms that run kids bjj →

🌱 Beginners 6 mentions

“It’s a great environment, (even for a beginner) where everyone wants to work hard, have fun, and become the best version of themselves.”

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 Ground Work 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 50 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 4 mentions

“Evan, the owner and head professor is extremely passionate, knowledgeable, and runs a fantastic class.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 15 mentions

“It’s a great environment, (even for a beginner) where everyone wants to work hard, have fun, and become the best version of themselves.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 17 mentions

“Evan is a friendly instructor that runs his classes with a laid back atmosphere balanced with the structure you’d expect from a bjj class.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 3 mentions

“The other Coaches along with Coach Evan make sure they instill the fundamentals, confidence, discipline, and skill set in everyone that steps on the mats.”

active competition team 2 mentions

“Evan is determined, pushes the kids in a positive way and we are looking forward to continuing training and hopefully joining competitions soon!”

🧼 clean, well-kept mats 4 mentions

“The mats are clean, there’s a great sense of community, and Coach Evan will teach you some serious Jiu Jitsu.”

From the reviews

I am a female who'd been looking to get into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu but didn’t have the courage to actually get started. A friend of mine recommended Ground Work Jiu-Jitsu, located in Stamford. After the first class I already felt at home! Coach Evan is a delight!!

★★★★★ — Mari, Mar 2024

As a mom of two active boys (ages 3 and 4), I couldn’t be happier with our experience at Groundwork Jiu-Jitsu in Stamford. We’ve been coming for six months now, and the growth I’ve seen in both of my kids has been amazing—not just physically, but in their confidence, focus, and ability to follow structure.

★★★★★ — Catherine, May 2025

I had the chance to visit Groundwork jiu-jitsu and they are an amazing community filled with people who are eager to learn! Coach Evan and the rest of the team were more than welcoming and they even embraced me as if I were one of their own. This is the true spirit of jiu-jitsu!

★★★★★ — G, Oct 2025

I have started my Jiu Jitsu journey here at Groundwork and it has been the best decision of the year by far. It’s a great environment, (even for a beginner) where everyone wants to work hard, have fun, and become the best version of themselves.

★★★★★ — Ethan, Jul 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 50 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Ground Work Jiu-Jitsu

Ground Work Jiu-Jitsu 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 Ground Work 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 Ground Work Jiu-Jitsu

7 Hyde St, Stamford, CT06907

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.