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Padilla Bjj

4.9 ★★★★★ 58 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Allentown, Pennsylvania

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 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 padillabjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 267-772-4471

Hours

Monday 6–8:30 pm
Tuesday 6–8:30 pm
Wednesday 7–8:30 pm
Thursday 6–8:30 pm
Friday Closed
Saturday 9–11:30 am
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 Padilla Bjj, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 16 mentions

“The instructors are passionate about ensuring their students are physically fit and character-building, all of which are awesome traits any father could ask for in their kids.”

All gyms that run kids bjj →

💪 Women's BJJ

“As a woman that is important to me and I feel very safe and confident in the skills I am learning.”

All gyms that run women's bjj →

🏆 Competition Team 3 mentions

“To me is a priviledge to learn from one of the best grapplers in USA, a high level competitor with years of experience in a judgement free environment.”

All gyms that run competition team →

🛡️ Self-Defense

All gyms that run self-defense →

Other martial arts here

BJJ gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at Padilla Bjj — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🤸 Wrestling 3 mentions

“This is my children's first year in wrestling, and during the off-season, we decided to try Coach Mike's classes to learn some fundamentals.”

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 58 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 5 mentions

“Great instruction and great environment and Mike cares about your growth and development.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 6 mentions

“Mike and the rest of the coaching team are incredibly knowledgeable, supportive, and passionate about what they do.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 3 mentions

“His attention to detail in what he teaches will have you leaving the mats with a better understanding of the sport no matter your experience or skill level.”

🧒 strong kids program 3 mentions

“There is never an issue with our kids wanting to attend. Their confidence and positive attitude has improved since joining Padilla Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.”

active competition team 3 mentions

“To me is a priviledge to learn from one of the best grapplers in USA, a high level competitor with years of experience in a judgement free environment.”

💗 welcoming to women 2 mentions

“As a woman that is important to me and I feel very safe and confident in the skills I am learning.”

From the reviews

Great place to train! I have been training here for a little over 6 years now. Everyone helps each other to improve and better themselves in a familial environment, would always recommend to anyone looking to first start BJJ or looking for a great place to train in general!

★★★★★ — Matt, Jul 2025

Unequivocally, my two girls are training under the best BJJ instructors. A more fitting term than instructor is mentorship because of the conspicuous positive influence on demeanor. The difference from day one to now is genuinely ineffable.

★★★★★ — L, Sep 2022

The best place in the Lehigh Valley to learn Jiu Jitsu. Mike is a great teacher, very hands on, and cares about whatever goals you have with Jiu jitsu. Whether you are looking to compete or just learn a new skill while getting in shape, Padilla BJJ is the place to go in the ABE.

★★★★★ — Tony, Apr 2025

Coach Mike provides an excellent kids class that incorporates a great workout with a lot of FUN! There is never an issue with our kids wanting to attend. Their confidence and positive attitude has improved since joining Padilla Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

★★★★★ — Kylie, Apr 2021

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 58 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Padilla Bjj

Padilla 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.

See their beginner class info

Your first BJJ class at Padilla 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 Padilla Bjj

2125 28th St SW #150th, Allentown, PA18103

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.