Home › Utah › American Fork › Paul Tom's Academy of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Paul Tom's Academy of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
4.9 ★★★★★ 49 Google reviews · BJJ gym in American Fork, Utah
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
- Women's classes dedicated women's BJJ classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
- 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
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule bjjutah.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 801-362-0391
Hours
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 11 am–1 pm, 5–9 pm |
| Wednesday | 6–8 pm |
| Thursday | 11 am–1 pm, 5–9 pm |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 11 am–1 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“My kids are nearing the end of their 3rd year training here and I'm just finishing up my first.”
“He is really passionate about true self-defense and follows the teachings of Master Flavio Behring.”
“I had never trained here before and I was pleasantly surprised by the kind and welcoming atmosphere.”
Other martial arts here
What members say
“Great instruction, friendly atmosphere, and awesome people.”
“I had never trained here before and I was pleasantly surprised by the kind and welcoming atmosphere.”
“As a recovering loner I loved going to jiu jitsu here because everyone is so welcome and Paul Tom himself is warm and inviting and friendly.”
“Paul's passion for BJJ is infectious, and his ability to break down techniques into manageable pieces has helped me improve my skills.”
“My children have flourished under his guidance, gaining confidence, discipline, and a sense of community that extends far beyond the mat.”
From the reviews
I've trained at many different studios over my 5 years of BJJ, and Paul Tom's is top notch. When I first arrived as a blue belt I knew it was a legit school when many of the white belts were kicking my butt.
You’ll never feel forced or coerced into joining. You are welcome to come and watch unlike some schools that don’t allow spectators unless you sign up. I was able to take a free week of class without feeling pressure to sign up. The instructors were kind and not only courteous, but they knew their stuff.
Amazing coaches, Paul Tom is very patient. Kids classes are great. I love the environment. Great place to start learning!
I've had the privilege of training at Paul Tom's Academy of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for over a year now, and I can honestly say it's been a life-changing experience! From the moment I stepped onto the mat, I felt welcome and supported by Paul and the team.
New to BJJ? Start at Paul Tom's Academy of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Paul Tom's Academy of Brazilian 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.
Your first BJJ class at Paul Tom's Academy of Brazilian 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.
More BJJ gyms near American Fork
Booth's ATA Martial Arts
4.5 ★★★★★ 24 reviews
Premier Martial Arts
5 ★★★★★ 54 reviews
Fat Snake Jiu Jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 13 reviews