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Playground Jiu Jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 35 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Riverside, Rhode Island
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 4–17) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- Women's classes dedicated women's BJJ classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
- 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
- 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 playgroundjiujitsu.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (401) 400-0245
Hours
| Monday | 11:30 AM–1:30 PM, 7–8:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 12–1:30 PM, 4–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 11 AM–1:30 PM, 6:30–8 PM |
| Thursday | 12–1:30 PM, 4–8 PM |
| Friday | 11 AM–1:30 PM |
| Saturday | 9:30 AM–1 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“If you are looking for a school for your children this is the place, but if you are looking for high level competition you will also find it here.”
“Hobbyist, competitor, or beginner, you will find yourself in a down to earth environment where you will find success and talented training partners.”
“Class schedule is phenomenal with mid day and evening classes as well holiday open mats and Saturday open mats .”
“Hobbyist, competitor, or beginner, you will find yourself in a down to earth environment where you will find success and talented training partners.”
What members say
“Unfortunately, I don’t train here anymore because I had to relocate to another state but I’ve known Paulo and Vinny for many years and they are the best coaches Ive ever met.”
“Hobbyist, competitor, or beginner, you will find yourself in a down to earth environment where you will find success and talented training partners.”
“Hobbyist, competitor, or beginner, you will find yourself in a down to earth environment where you will find success and talented training partners.”
“Beyond just learning techniques, training at Playground Jiu-Jitsu builds confidence, discipline, and mental resilience.”
“Hobbyist, competitor, or beginner, you will find yourself in a down to earth environment where you will find success and talented training partners.”
“I travel for my work and have trained at affiliate schools all over the country, including ATOS, Renzo Gracie, Robson Moura, GB and many independents.”
From the reviews
Unfortunately, I don’t train here anymore because I had to relocate to another state but I’ve known Paulo and Vinny for many years and they are the best coaches Ive ever met. I trained at many different schools prior. This is the best school you will find in the area.
The classes are perfectly paced so that the full duration is used wisely without any wasted time. Paulo and Vinny are excellent instructors who possess an incredible range of knowledge spanning from many different modern guards along with excellent top game passing.
Super nice and clean gym, one of my good friends just started to jiu jitsu here, invited me down for open map. Everyone was super welcoming and super nice, no one trying to rip your head off lol, looking forward to visiting again soon, if you're ever looking for a place to drop in and roll or be a part of, would…
Top tier instruction for all levels. Clean space, welcoming atmosphere. And the Saturday women’s class is fantastic. Highly recommend!
New to BJJ? Start at Playground Jiu Jitsu
Playground 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 Playground 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 Riverside
New England Martial Arts Dojo
5 ★★★★★ 9 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site