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Portela Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

5 ★★★★★ 34 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Aurora, Colorado

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
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule portelabjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 720-343-7255

Hours

Monday 6 am–9:30 pm
Tuesday 6 am–9:30 pm
Wednesday 6 am–9:30 pm
Thursday 6 am–9:30 pm
Friday 6 am–7:30 pm
Saturday Closed
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 Portela Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 12 mentions

“We truly appreciate Coach Braden’s obvious dedication and approach to teaching all the kids!”

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🥋 Gi

“It was a gi class and they were more than kind to let me borrow one and a belt.”

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🛡️ Self-Defense

“Their confidence in their new skills grows every day and the self defense moves that they learn and practice are very impressive.”

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🌱 Beginners

“Everyone here is friendly and anyone is welcome whether they have no experience or have trained before.”

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Other martial arts here

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

🤸 Wrestling

“I came in with absolutely no martial arts/wrestling background and they’ve been amazing to work with.”

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 34 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 5 mentions

“excellent coaching staff professor shawn is extreamly technical and very detailed in his approach .”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 5 mentions

“Everyone here is friendly and anyone is welcome whether they have no experience or have trained before.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 9 mentions

“Everyone here is friendly and anyone is welcome whether they have no experience or have trained before.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 5 mentions

“Good group of coaches and students, they take it as fast or slow as you need while teaching good fun technique.”

🧒 strong kids program 2 mentions

“Portela BJJ has an awesome adult and kids program.”

🧠 builds confidence & discipline 4 mentions

“It's an excellent choice for those seeking martial arts to instill discipline, as well as for kids who are interested in competitive opportunities.”

From the reviews

I've been training jiu jitsu here for three years, and my kids longer. Portela BJJ has an awesome adult and kids program. Everyone here is friendly and anyone is welcome whether they have no experience or have trained before. Instructors are great and share the wealth of knowledge they have with no hesitation.

★★★★★ — Dennis, Feb 2022

After a few months of training here I can confidently leave a five star review for Portela BJJ. Everyone from the owner, Professor's, and group of students have been professional and welcoming.

★★★★★ — Nathan, Jan 2022

Great gym that can get you in shape for competition or just improve your game at your own speed. I've joined a lot of gyms over the years and this one is like having a family. Whatever your goal is this gym can help you reach it.

★★★★★ — Get, Feb 2022

Good, detailed instruction and a welcoming environment. My 5 year old son and I both started going to this conveniently located BJJ dojo and love it. Located on the Southeast corner of S. Parker Rd. & Orchard.

★★★★★ — Zeke, Jun 2014

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 34 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Portela Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Portela 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.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first BJJ class at Portela 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 Portela Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

22906 E Smoky Hill Rd, Aurora, CO80016

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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.