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Open Guard BJJ
4.9 ★★★★★ 29 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Apex, North Carolina
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
- 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 6) — 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
- 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 openguardbjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 919-230-9583
Hours
| Monday | 5:45–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 5:30–8:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 5:45–8 pm |
| Thursday | 5:30–8:30 pm |
| Friday | 5:45–7:30 pm |
| Saturday | 8:45–11:30 am |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“On my first day there one of the higher skilled guys pulled me aside and taught me the basics and fundamentals .”
“None of us (parents, two kids) had any experience with martial arts so we didn't know what to expect.”
Other martial arts here
“Both of my kids learned BJJ and kickboxing here, and I trained in the wrestling and BJJ classes.”
“Both of my kids learned BJJ and kickboxing here, and I trained in the wrestling and BJJ classes.”
What members say
“Great instruction, coaches are great at teaching kids and keeping them engaged.”
“On my first day there one of the higher skilled guys pulled me aside and taught me the basics and fundamentals .”
“Everyone is so welcoming, the instructors are super personable, they have diiferent class levels.”
“On my first day there one of the higher skilled guys pulled me aside and taught me the basics and fundamentals .”
“Mats are clean and instruction is good with lots of friendly coaches.”
“Instruction for adult classes was excellent and focused.”
From the reviews
Starting going to classes as a family two months ago. A few things to note. None of us (parents, two kids) had any experience with martial arts so we didn't know what to expect. I was surprised to find myself on the mat ten minutes after walking in the door working on moves and submissions. My wife and I both loved it.
Fantastic place to take BJJ lessons. Everyone is so welcoming, the instructors are super personable, they have diiferent class levels. Even though it is a friendly enviornment it does still have the nature of a martial arts studio.
Great instructors with many years of experience. Best BJJ and kickboxing school I've been to.
Great facility. Very welcoming and awesome techniques. Even tougher rolls... Ossss!
New to BJJ? Start at Open Guard BJJ
Open Guard BJJ 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.
Your first BJJ class at Open Guard 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.
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