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Legion Martial Arts

5 ★★★★★ 45 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Little River, South Carolina

BJJ gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons Competition team

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 — 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
  • 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 jiujitsunation.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (843) 267-2728

Hours

Monday 11 AM–1 PM, 5:30–8:30 PM
Tuesday 3:30–9 PM
Wednesday 4:30–8:30 PM
Thursday 5–9 PM
Friday Closed
Saturday 10 AM–1:30 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 Legion Martial Arts, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 11 mentions

“The kids' classes are perfectly aligned and organized, focusing not just on martial arts skills but also on instilling values like respect, confidence, and discipline.”

All gyms that run kids bjj →

🏆 Competition Team 4 mentions

“Overall, we were thrilled to find such a first-class place during our vacation so she could keep up with her training for an upcoming tournament.”

All gyms that run competition team →

🔓 Open Mat

“Dropped in while on vacation for class/open mat.”

All gyms that run open mat →

🛡️ Self-Defense

All gyms that run self-defense →

🌱 Beginners 6 mentions

“Amazing BJJ gym, incredibly beginner friendly (and I'm talking like, brand new to the sport.”

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 Legion Martial Arts — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🏟️ MMA 2 mentions

“After scouting out schools in town, what appealed to me is that they have a great focus on Jiu-Jitsu and not "MMA".”

Other gyms that also teach mma →

🤸 Wrestling

“I am 54 years old with no wrestling or experience at all, and in just a few short lessons, I felt very comfortable and learned a ton!”

Other gyms that also teach wrestling →

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 45 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 6 mentions

“Shane was an excellent instructor who went around and ensured every student understood the techniques, even myself who was only visiting.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 13 mentions

“They were super welcoming and provided an awesome training environment with great instructors and training partners.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 25 mentions

“Every single one of the students we train with are supportive and encouraging - no matter what their experience level is!”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 2 mentions

“Shane was an excellent instructor who went around and ensured every student understood the techniques, even myself who was only visiting.”

🧒 strong kids program 3 mentions

“As a parent, seeing my daughter thrive in such a positive and nurturing environment is heartwarming.”

active competition team 5 mentions

“Overall, we were thrilled to find such a first-class place during our vacation so she could keep up with her training for an upcoming tournament.”

From the reviews

Our daughter (who does Brazilian Jiu Jitsu) recently went to this martial arts school for two consecutive days as a drop-in during our Spring Break in the area. She LOVED it! Shane was welcoming, supportive and very encouraging. All the gym members embraced our daughter and were friendly and complimentary.

★★★★★ — Christine, Mar 2017

I spent a week in North Myrtle for vacation and trained at Legion almost every day. They were super welcoming and provided an awesome training environment with great instructors and training partners. I will definitely be stopping by again.

★★★★★ — Joey, Apr 2022

I've been attending this BJJ gym for the past four weeks, and it's been an incredible journey. As someone new to the sport, the beginner-friendly atmosphere here is just phenomenal. Shane and his team of instructors are not only knowledgeable but also exceptionally welcoming and supportive.

★★★★★ — Cameron, Jan 2024

Dropped in while on vacation for class/open mat. Great gym with clean facility and plenty of mat space! Shane was an excellent instructor who went around and ensured every student understood the techniques, even myself who was only visiting.

★★★★★ — Matthew, Jun 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 45 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Legion Martial Arts

Legion Martial Arts 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.

See their beginner class info

Your first BJJ class at Legion Martial Arts

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 Legion Martial Arts

4350 Big Barn Dr, Little River, SC29566

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.