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Jiu Jitsu Performance Academy
4.9 ★★★★★ 137 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Apex, North Carolina
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 1–2) — 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
- Open mat open-mat rolling sessions for members to practice live — always optional and at your own pace
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule apexbjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 919-753-6536
Hours
| Monday | 5:30–7 am, 5–9 pm |
| Tuesday | 6–7 am, 5–9 pm |
| Wednesday | 5:30–7 am, 5–9 pm |
| Thursday | 6–7 am, 5–9 pm |
| Friday | 5:30–7 am, 5–8 pm |
| Saturday | 10 am–12:30 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“My son, who also recently started, is equally thrilled with his experience and has become borderline obsessed with it even at his young age.”
“Coach Spangler has been there for the children and adult for support, advice and coaching in tournaments.”
“I dropped in on the right day, they had an open gym black light night, on Saturday night, that they invited me to and it was a great experience.”
“They have a great instruction balance between sport Jiu Jitsu and self-defense for children and adults.”
“As a beginner, I was initially overwhelmed, but the welcoming environment and the instructors' genuine passion quickly eased my nerves.”
Other martial arts here
What members say
“Sean and every other instructor there are amazing teachers and they also set the tone for what is an awesome community and environment.”
“As a beginner, I was initially overwhelmed, but the welcoming environment and the instructors' genuine passion quickly eased my nerves.”
“When I come to class I know that I can expect to learn good BJJ, train in a clean and safe environment, and see smiling, friendly faces.”
“I learned several good details, both from the instructional portion and later while sparring with more experienced partners.”
“When I come to class I know that I can expect to learn good BJJ, train in a clean and safe environment, and see smiling, friendly faces.”
“This is more than just a martial arts gym; it is a supportive community that helps girls grow into strong, confident young women.”
From the reviews
We are very impressed with Spangler BJJ. Our 8 year old daughter has been attending weekly for a few months. She’s very small for her age and was avoiding physically challenging activities. We weren’t sure she’d go for this, but she LOVES it. I think we attended two trial classes before joining.
All the coaches have been great for myself and my two children. They have been able to grow physically, mentally and emotionally. Coach Spangler has been there for the children and adult for support, advice and coaching in tournaments.
Sean Spangler is an amazing coach. He's passionate, patient and knowledgeable. The thing I like about his style of teaching is that hes very detail oriented from the start. If you don't get the details right, none of the techniques will work. I also like this gym because it's really welcoming and friendly.
Spangler's is one of the best BJJ gyms I've visited, and it's a fantastic modern example of a healthy BJJ culture. I'm not even a member, but I like to visit because an old gym mate trains here and invites me over. Sean Spangler always makes me feel welcome and part of the team.
New to BJJ? Start at Jiu Jitsu Performance Academy
Jiu Jitsu Performance Academy 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 Jiu Jitsu Performance Academy
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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