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NOLA BJJ

4.9 ★★★★★ 99 Google reviews · BJJ gym in New Orleans, Louisiana

BJJ gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons No-gi 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
  • 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 nolabjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 504-285-4366

Hours

Monday 10 am–8 pm
Tuesday 7 am–9 pm
Wednesday 10 am–8 pm
Thursday 7 am–9 pm
Friday 10 am–8 pm
Saturday 10 am–1 pm
Sunday 10 am–1:30 pm

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 NOLA BJJ, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🩳 No-Gi 2 mentions

“While in town for vacation dropped by the Friday No Gi class at noon taught by Steven.”

All gyms that run no-gi →

🥋 Gi

“While in town for vacation dropped by the Friday No Gi class at noon taught by Steven.”

All gyms that run gi →

🏆 Competition Team 2 mentions

“There's a good group of people that come, and it is a tournament/competition minded group.”

All gyms that run competition team →

🌱 Beginners 3 mentions

“Spanning all levels, everyone was welcoming, friendly and fun to roll with.”

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 NOLA BJJ — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

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 99 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 3 mentions

“The instructor is highly knowledgeable, kind, and friendly.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 13 mentions

“Professors Matthias, Caroline, and Marshall ran exceptional classes and extremely welcoming during my visit.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 25 mentions

“The gym had that friendly NOLA vibe, everyone was super nice, had no problem getting rolls in with a variety of people and had some good conversations.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 5 mentions

“It was such a great opportunity to roll with new people, learn new techniques, and experience such a positive training environment.”

active competition team 3 mentions

“There's a good group of people that come, and it is a tournament/competition minded group.”

🧼 clean, well-kept mats 4 mentions

“The gym is clean and I witnessed a mats being tended to.”

From the reviews

I had a great time escaping conference life and doing a drop-in at NOLA BJJ. Their main facility off Magazine St is located in an old fire station with awesome brick walls and lots of character. Professors Matthias, Caroline, and Marshall ran exceptional classes and extremely welcoming during my visit.

★★★★★ — Ryan, Jun 2024

Wonderful establishment. The gym culture is great, and very welcoming to beginners. Matthias was a great teacher and patient with my friend and I who are very new to BJJ. I'll be certain to stop by again next time I'm in town. Would certainly choose this place as my regular gym if I lived in the city.

★★★★★ — Brenden, Jul 2021

Trained here tonight while I was in town for a conference. Attended Marshall's fundamental and adv class and it was a great two classes back to back. Everyone was friendly and people take care of their partners while drilling and rolling. Definitely would recommend dropping in!

★★★★★ — Matt, Mar 2024

We were visiting New Orleans from Panama City for my boyfriend’s birthday, and training at New Orleans Brazilian Jiu Jitsu was easily his favorite part of the whole trip. Everyone was incredibly warm, welcoming, and friendly, and the instruction was outstanding.

★★★★★ — Chays, Apr 2026

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 99 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at NOLA BJJ

NOLA BJJ 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.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first BJJ class at NOLA BJJ

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 NOLA BJJ

4521 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA70115

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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.