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JABJJACADEMY - Joao Abreu Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
4.9 ★★★★★ 41 Google reviews · BJJ gym in South River, New Jersey
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 (ages 4–8) — 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
- 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 jabjjacademy.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 732-799-1186
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–12 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“The coach is a great guy and is so patient with the students both children and adults.”
“João is highly skilled and passionate about teaching in the GI and no GI game.”
“João is highly skilled and passionate about teaching in the GI and no GI game.”
“Now he has been competing more heavily and WANTS to compete in tougher tournaments.”
“From day one, the environment was welcoming, respectful, and focused on growth—whether you’re a complete beginner or a veteran.”
Other martial arts here
“We started at JAB in June of 2025 (my 7 year old transitioned from another mixed martial arts/ bjj academy) and OMG the changes are amazing.”
What members say
“Joao the instructor comes from a great lineage and is exceptional at teaching and also competing.”
“From day one, the environment was welcoming, respectful, and focused on growth—whether you’re a complete beginner or a veteran.”
“He breaks down techniques in a way that’s easy to understand, The curriculum is well-structured, and there’s a great balance between drilling, live rolling, and learning strategy.”
“excellent professional my son loves the teacher.”
“Now he has been competing more heavily and WANTS to compete in tougher tournaments.”
“Joao the instructor comes from a great lineage and is exceptional at teaching and also competing.”
From the reviews
We started at JAB in June of 2025 (my 7 year old transitioned from another mixed martial arts/ bjj academy) and OMG the changes are amazing. This places is 100% great with novices as well as seasoned fighters, but transitioning from an academy (and learned/engrained habits), into another academy can be difficult.
This is by far the best school for your kid, professor Joao comes from a great Lineage, is a great teacher, great with Kids and also knows how to teach adults, my son has been studying with him since day one! Cant thank him enough, and I can see how much confidence jiu jitsu has built in my son
I’ve been training at jabjj academy for two years and I couldn’t be more impressed. From day one, the environment was welcoming, respectful, and focused on growth—whether you’re a complete beginner or a veteran. João is highly skilled and passionate about teaching in the GI and no GI game.
This is such a great place to train. Jiu-Jitsu The team is full of great energy and positive environment. Joao the instructor comes from a great lineage and is exceptional at teaching and also competing. I'm so glad I got to stop in here and make some new friends and enjoy a great environment!
New to BJJ? Start at JABJJACADEMY - Joao Abreu Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
JABJJACADEMY - Joao Abreu Brazilian 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.
Your first BJJ class at JABJJACADEMY - Joao Abreu Brazilian 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.
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