HomeFloridaPalmetto › North River Jiu Jitsu

North River Jiu Jitsu

4.9 ★★★★★ 61 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Palmetto, Florida

BJJ gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens 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 (ages 5–7) — 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 northriverbjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 941-842-2252

Hours

Monday 11 am–9 pm
Tuesday 11 am–9 pm
Wednesday 11 am–9 pm
Thursday 11 am–9 pm
Friday 11 am–9 pm
Saturday 11 am–12:30 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 North River Jiu Jitsu, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 19 mentions

“Now we are about 4 months in and I can say my daughter didnt just join an aftercare program, she found a home away from home.”

All gyms that run kids bjj →

Teens BJJ

“The teen, Coach Sully is great!”

All gyms that run teens bjj →

🏆 Competition Team

“From beginners to competitors they offer a wide range of classes for kids and adults.”

All gyms that run competition team →

🛡️ Self-Defense 2 mentions

“My daughter takes private self defense classes with Josh.”

All gyms that run self-defense →

🌱 Beginners 3 mentions

“The coaches deliver consistent classes to help people of all levels, whether you're a jiu jitsu hobbyist, looking for a new way to workout, or are an athlete.”

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 North River Jiu Jitsu — 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 61 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 3 mentions

“A beautiful, clean, welcoming facility with amazing coaches and teammates.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 10 mentions

“The coaches deliver consistent classes to help people of all levels, whether you're a jiu jitsu hobbyist, looking for a new way to workout, or are an athlete.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 9 mentions

“I had just come to visit family here in florida so i asked if i could go an practice and they accepted.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 3 mentions

“Great coaching, solid techniques, and a welcoming atmosphere.”

🧼 clean, well-kept mats 5 mentions

“Members have access to some gym equipment, can stretch/do yoga, and warm up, there's plenty of space and the gym is kept clean.”

🧠 builds confidence & discipline 4 mentions

“All of the coaches bring a great energy to the mat and focus on jiu jitsu and not what's going on in their personal lives.”

From the reviews

Great place! Fantastic coaches, comfortable atmosphere. Women, don’t hesitate to try this out if you’re a bit nervous! You’ll learn so much and feel much more confident with some dedication and training.

★★★★★ — Amanda, Mar 2019

My daughter takes private self defense classes with Josh. He is knowledgeable, patient, and thorough. He is tough and pushes her to be her best without crossing the line into being a bully or expecting more than she's capable of doing. The studio is clean and comfortable for parents and siblings to wait.

★★★★★ — Lisa, Mar 2019

Awesome place to train and learn Jiu Jitsu. Has a great welcoming environment along with eager and friendly coaching staff. I would highly recommend for anyone looking to start, or currently training in the art.

★★★★★ — Cara, Mar 2019

The coaches deliver consistent classes to help people of all levels, whether you're a jiu jitsu hobbyist, looking for a new way to workout, or are an athlete. Coach Josh is always watching and breaking down matches and other athletes, and immediately applies that to his teaching; Josh evolves with the ever-evolving…

★★★★★ — Jenna, Mar 2019

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 61 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at North River Jiu Jitsu

North River Jiu Jitsu 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.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first BJJ class at North River 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.

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 North River Jiu Jitsu

1035 Hasko Rd #102, Palmetto, FL34221

Get directions

More BJJ gyms near Palmetto

No Limits Jiu Jitsu

5 ★★★★★ 86 reviews

517 8th Ave W, Palmetto, FL

BJJ gym Kids & teens No-gi Competition team Affiliated expert, high-level coachingwelcoming to beginnersno-ego, friendly academy

1.0 miles away

BQuick Jiu Jitsu

5 ★★★★★ 11 reviews

5304 US-41, Palmetto, FL

🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site

BJJ gym Free trial Kids & teens expert, high-level coachingno-ego, friendly academystrong technique & fundamentals

2.7 miles away

Gracie Bradenton

4.9 ★★★★★ 111 reviews

5268 FL-64, Bradenton, FL

🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site

Ages 4–15

BJJ gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens No-gi Competition team Affiliated expert, high-level coachingwelcoming to beginnersno-ego, friendly academy

4.3 miles away

All BJJ gyms in Palmetto, FL →

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.