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Parabellum Jiu Jitsu MMA Academy
5 ★★★★★ 124 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Asheville, 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 — 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 parabellumbjjavl.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 828-412-5065
Hours
| Monday | 12–1 pm, 4–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 12–1 pm, 4–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 12–1 pm, 4–8 pm |
| Thursday | 12–1 pm, 4–8 pm |
| Friday | 12–1 pm, 4–8 pm |
| Saturday | 11 am–1 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“Parabellum Jiu-Jitsu & MMA Academy in Asheville, North Carolina is hands down one of the best martial arts gyms in Western North Carolina for both kids and adults!”
“The coaching staff is knowledgeable, patient, and highly experienced, making Parabellum an excellent choice for beginners, competitors, and advanced athletes alike.”
“My family and I were visiting the area from South Florida and took a private class with Coach Shaun.”
“Classes are structured, safe, and challenging, with a strong focus on technique, discipline, and real-world self-defense.”
“The coaching staff is knowledgeable, patient, and highly experienced, making Parabellum an excellent choice for beginners, competitors, and advanced athletes alike.”
Other martial arts here
“Parabellum Jiu-Jitsu & MMA Academy in Asheville, North Carolina is hands down one of the best martial arts gyms in Western North Carolina for both kids and adults!”
“Whether you’re training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, MMA, wrestling, boxing, or kickboxing, this academy delivers elite-level instruction in a welcoming, professional environment.”
“Whether you’re training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, MMA, wrestling, boxing, or kickboxing, this academy delivers elite-level instruction in a welcoming, professional environment.”
“Whether you’re training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, MMA, wrestling, boxing, or kickboxing, this academy delivers elite-level instruction in a welcoming, professional environment.”
What members say
“Nicole is an excellent instructor who is passionate about the sport and very patient and methodical in her teaching, while also challenging you to get outside of your comfort zone.”
“Whether you’re training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, MMA, wrestling, boxing, or kickboxing, this academy delivers elite-level instruction in a welcoming, professional environment.”
“Whether you’re training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, MMA, wrestling, boxing, or kickboxing, this academy delivers elite-level instruction in a welcoming, professional environment.”
“Classes are structured, safe, and challenging, with a strong focus on technique, discipline, and real-world self-defense.”
“Parabellum is by far the greatest choice I could have made to help my child with structure and discipline.”
“The coaching staff is knowledgeable, patient, and highly experienced, making Parabellum an excellent choice for beginners, competitors, and advanced athletes alike.”
From the reviews
Excellent place to train. At Parabellum Jiu Jitsu MMA Academy, the atmosphere is very professional yet welcoming. The instructors are patient, attentive, and truly focused on helping you improve your technique in every class. My husband trains here and has made incredible progress in both Jiu-Jitsu and boxing.
Shaun and CJ at Parabellum Gym are absolutely outstanding. This is a top-notch wrestling, jiu-jitsu, and boxing gym with a truly professional atmosphere. The coaching level is elite — they train champions — but what really sets them apart is the patience and care they show to the youngest beginners.
Parabellum Jiu Jitsu MMA Academy is absolutely amazing! The owner, Shaun, has done an incredible job building such a positive and professional environment. Coaches Braden and Mannix are fantastic with my 6-year-old son, they’re patient, knowledgeable, and truly passionate about teaching BJJ.
We've been taking our sons here for almost a month. Our sons were immediately welcomed in and started engaging immediately. They have learned so much and practice daily at home. I've talked with the owner and coaches while there and every one of them are relatable and easy to talk with.
New to BJJ? Start at Parabellum Jiu Jitsu MMA Academy
Parabellum Jiu Jitsu MMA Academy 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 Parabellum Jiu Jitsu MMA Academy
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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