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Knuckle up Jacksonville Jean Jacques Machado Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Fitness

4.6 ★★★★★ 32 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Jacksonville, Florida

BJJ gym Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens

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

  • 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
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule martialartsjacksonvillefl.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (904) 300-1607

Hours

Monday 10 AM–9 PM
Tuesday 10 AM–9 PM
Wednesday 10 AM–9 PM
Thursday 10 AM–9 PM
Friday Closed
Saturday 10 AM–1 PM
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 Knuckle up Jacksonville Jean Jacques Machado Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Fitness, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 7 mentions

“My husband is training in BJJ, my 4 year old has taken both Karate and kids BJJ, and I go for the Kickboxing classes.”

All gyms that run kids bjj →

🌱 Beginners

“From beginner to advanced, this is the place to train.”

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 Knuckle up Jacksonville Jean Jacques Machado Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Fitness — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🦵 Kickboxing 3 mentions

“My husband is training in BJJ, my 4 year old has taken both Karate and kids BJJ, and I go for the Kickboxing classes.”

Other gyms that also teach kickboxing →

🎽 Karate

“My husband is training in BJJ, my 4 year old has taken both Karate and kids BJJ, and I go for the Kickboxing classes.”

Other gyms that also teach karate →

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 32 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 3 mentions

“Excellent instructor who’s able to keep my 5 yr old engaged and makes learning exciting and simple for the littles.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 4 mentions

“From the very first day I walked in the door I felt welcomed, everyone is always very friendly and willing to help me whenever I need.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 11 mentions

“From the very first day I walked in the door I felt welcomed, everyone is always very friendly and willing to help me whenever I need.”

🧒 strong kids program 2 mentions

“My Kids Love It and Will Continue To Learn One of The Best Martial Arts Around.”

💗 welcoming to women 2 mentions

“I toned & firmed up those female problem areas, while enjoying what I was doing!”

From the reviews

I have lost 37lbs since the New Year. 19lbs since joining Knuckle Up for Jiu Jitsu in late April. I weighed 213lbs this morning which means I am literally the smallest I've been in 15 years. I am not sure I would have been able to do it without my new friends at the gym. The instructors are awesome and patient.

★★★★★ — Stephen, Nov 2016

First thing, I love this place! And I would recommend it anyone looking to make a positive change in their life. I have been with the school for about 3.5 years now, and it has become a second home for me. The instructor, David, is awesome.

★★★★★ — Kristna, Nov 2016

I'm new to BJJ, but I've had an awesome experience here so far. Professor David does a great job breaking down the basics in a way that I wont get overwhelmed. The atmosphere of the gym is amazing too. Everyone is always ready to train and are great at building eachother up.

★★★★★ — Robert, Dec 2016

What a Great Place To Learn Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Jacksonville, Florida!!! My Kids Love It and Will Continue To Learn One of The Best Martial Arts Around. Trained By Professor David Werner (Black Belt) By Way of Jean Jacques Machado Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu!!!

★★★★★ — Nate, Oct 2019

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 32 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Knuckle up Jacksonville Jean Jacques Machado Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Fitness

Knuckle up Jacksonville Jean Jacques Machado Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Fitness 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.

See their beginner class info

Your first BJJ class at Knuckle up Jacksonville Jean Jacques Machado Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Fitness

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 Knuckle up Jacksonville Jean Jacques Machado Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Fitness

9620 Applecross Rd, Jacksonville, FL32222

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.