HomeNew JerseyLittle Egg Harbor Township › Pinelands Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Pinelands Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

4.9 ★★★★★ 28 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Little Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey

BJJ gym Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens

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

  • 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
  • Open mat open-mat rolling sessions for members to practice live — always optional and at your own pace
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule pinelandsbjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 732-575-3674

Hours

Monday 5:30–9:30 pm
Tuesday 5:30–9:30 pm
Wednesday 5:30–9:30 pm
Thursday 5:30–9:30 pm
Friday Closed
Saturday 10 am–12:30 pm
Sunday 11:45 am–12:30 pm

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 Pinelands Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 10 mentions

“From my first class I was impressed by the owner and lead instructor’s, Garrett Lavaggi, ability to teach to all skill levels, including adults and children.”

All gyms that run kids bjj →

Teens BJJ

“I would recommend this school to anyone, kids, teens, adults.”

All gyms that run teens bjj →

🔓 Open Mat

“Stopped in here for an open matt.”

All gyms that run open mat →

🌱 Beginners 5 mentions

“From my first class I was impressed by the owner and lead instructor’s, Garrett Lavaggi, ability to teach to all skill levels, including adults and children.”

All gyms that run beginners →

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 28 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 2 mentions

“Absolutely amazing instructor and owner.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 9 mentions

“From my first class I was impressed by the owner and lead instructor’s, Garrett Lavaggi, ability to teach to all skill levels, including adults and children.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 12 mentions

“Both boys were hesitant to start but with the patience and warm welcoming from the instructors they look forward to class every day.”

🧒 strong kids program 2 mentions

“This school has given/taught my son confidence, focus, respect for his peers/coaches/parents and endless friendships.”

🧠 builds confidence & discipline 4 mentions

“This school has given/taught my son confidence, focus, respect for his peers/coaches/parents and endless friendships.”

From the reviews

This gym is run by one of, If not the most dominate jiu jitsu athlete I know. Garrett Lavaggi is not only a technical master of the art but as effective a teacher as they come, anyone lucky enough to live within distance of this gym who is interested in Brazilian jiu jitsu has landed upon a gold mine.

★★★★★ — Joe, Jan 2021

Couple weeks ago a student (Jacob M) of your school visited my academy in Austin TX. Rudy Rexx Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. I wanted to personally come on here and share that he was a super cool cat, very respectful and had a special skill set.

★★★★★ — Rudy, Apr 2021

This is hands down a five star BJJ school. I had my son join the 4-7 year old class last year after being extremely bullied at school. This school has given/taught my son confidence, focus, respect for his peers/coaches/parents and endless friendships.

★★★★★ — Lauren, Feb 2023

Words can’t even express what this place has done for my life. When I first stepped into this academy I was scared an going through a very rough patch In my life with my overall fitness and life. I will never forget the professor walked straight to me an shook my hand, and made me feel like I was home.

★★★★★ — Dustin, Jul 2021

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 28 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Pinelands Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Pinelands Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu comes up as a beginner-friendly gym, going by their listing and members’ reviews. 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 Pinelands 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.

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 Pinelands Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

240 Mathistown Rd, Little Egg Harbor Township, NJ08087

Get directions

More BJJ gyms near Little Egg Harbor Township

Stafford Mixed Martial Arts

5 ★★★★★ 106 reviews

511 NJ-72, Stafford Township, NJ

🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site

BJJ gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens expert, high-level coachingwelcoming to beginnersno-ego, friendly academy

9.6 miles away

Tap House Jiu Jitsu

5 ★★★★★ 121 reviews

323 S Pitney Rd, Galloway, NJ

🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site

Ages 5–12

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

10.5 miles away

Harbor Jiu-Jitsu

5 ★★★★★ 115 reviews

3003 English Creek Ave Ste D8, Egg Harbor Township, NJ

Ages 4–6

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

16.6 miles away

All BJJ gyms in Little Egg Harbor Township, NJ →

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.