Home › New Jersey › East Rutherford › Kokoro Jiu Jitsu
Kokoro Jiu Jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 36 Google reviews · BJJ gym in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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
- 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 kokorojiujitsu.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (201) 213-3567
Hours
| Monday | 5:30–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 5:30–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 5:30–8 PM |
| Thursday | 5:30–8 PM |
| Friday | 6:30–8 PM |
| Saturday | 11 AM–3 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“That unique combination makes this gym a standout choice for families—his ability to connect with and motivate kids and teens is unmatched.”
“That unique combination makes this gym a standout choice for families—his ability to connect with and motivate kids and teens is unmatched.”
“If you're looking to compete, learn a new sport, or just get fit, kokoro jiu jitsu is the spot to be”
“If you’re also looking for more aside from self-defense this place will definitely help you reach the level of competition you’re looking for!”
“Whether you are a beginner or someone with experience Coach Michael Yim find a way to make everybody feel welcome and learn together as a team.”
What members say
“Coach yim is very knowledgeable and will coach you in a way that the student will understand, not forcing you to learn from his way.”
“The environment at Kokoro JiuJitsu feels welcoming and community oriented, and the pricing is also very reasonable compared to other jiu jitsu gyms.”
“The environment at Kokoro JiuJitsu feels welcoming and community oriented, and the pricing is also very reasonable compared to other jiu jitsu gyms.”
“His attention to detail and patience with his students is very much a breathe of fresh air.”
“Put your trust in him and you or your kid will learn so much about self discipline and self defense”
“If you’re also looking for more aside from self-defense this place will definitely help you reach the level of competition you’re looking for!”
From the reviews
I cannot emphasize enough how AMAZING Coach Mike is!! We met Coach Mike 4 years ago when he was teaching kids’ Brazilian jiujitsu at another gym, and he’s been amazing with my son from day one. My son refuses to train with anyone else, that’s how much he admires Coach Mike.
Coach Mike is a great jiu-jitsu coach. He is very kind, patient, and makes every class fun. I learned a lot from him and got much better because of his teaching. He always encourages me to do my best and helps me improve every day. I really enjoy training with him and highly recommend him!
Kokoro Jiu Jitsu has such a welcoming environment, especially for women. The gym is clean, the culture is respectful, and Coach Mike creates a space where everyone feels comfortable and supported. Great atmosphere, great instruction, and an amazing community overall.
Coach Michael has always been extremely knowledgeable, professional, and friendly on the mats. Whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned black belt, I know you’ll have an amazing training here. Highly recommend!
New to BJJ? Start at Kokoro Jiu Jitsu
Kokoro 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.
Your first BJJ class at Kokoro 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.
More BJJ gyms near East Rutherford
TheDOJO
4.9 ★★★★★ 36 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
Savarese Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy
4.9 ★★★★★ 100 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
Subforce Kids Jiujitsu
5 ★★★★★ 8 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site