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Rat Town Jiu Jitsu Academy

5 ★★★★★ 130 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Atlantic Beach, Florida

BJJ gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens No-gi Competition team

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
  • 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 rattownjiujitsu.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 904-962-6356

Hours

Monday 12–1:30 PM, 6–8 PM
Tuesday 12–1:30 PM, 5–8 PM
Wednesday 12–1:30 PM, 6–8 PM
Thursday 12–1:30 PM, 5–8 PM
Friday 12–1:30 PM, 5:30–6:30 PM
Saturday 10 AM–12 PM
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 Rat Town Jiu Jitsu Academy, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 8 mentions

“I've had the privilege to begin my training with my kids, they have an excellent kids program and really care to teach the next generation.”

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🥋 Gi

“The schedule is another big plus, morning and afternoon classes every day, gi and no‑gi.”

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🌱 Beginners 5 mentions

“Walked into Rat Town Jiu Jitsu for the first time about 9 months ago and my only regret is not starting sooner.”

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What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 130 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 4 mentions

“James and Christian are incredible instructors, super knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely invested in helping everyone improve.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 13 mentions

“James was super knowledgeable, welcoming, and willing to work with me even though I was only in town for a short time.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 19 mentions

“James was super knowledgeable, welcoming, and willing to work with me even though I was only in town for a short time.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 2 mentions

“The coaches do an amazing job teaching not just technique, but also discipline, respect, and focus—skills that carry over beyond the mat.”

🧒 strong kids program 2 mentions

“I've had the privilege to begin my training with my kids, they have an excellent kids program and really care to teach the next generation.”

🧼 clean, well-kept mats 5 mentions

“Place is very clean and mats are very good quality and very clean which very important.”

From the reviews

Rat Town is truly a special place. If you're interested in Jiu Jitsu, or curious in anyway and want to get into the scene, Rat Town jiu jitsu is ready to welcome you. The energy in the gym is infectious and uplifting! I couldn't be more lucky to have a second family here at the Academy.

★★★★★ — Ryan, Aug 2023

My husband has been going to Rat Town since they opened & I can’t say enough great things about them. It’s a family friendly environment that openly embraced our little one and welcomed us with opened arms.

★★★★★ — Justine, Sep 2023

My son has been training at Rat Town Jiu Jitsu Academy for about 3 months now, and the growth we’ve seen is incredible. His confidence has soared, and he’s developed a genuine excitement for learning.

★★★★★ — Casey, Aug 2025

I’ve been training at Rat Town for about four months, and it’s become one of my favorite parts of living in Atlantic Beach. The atmosphere is welcoming, the people are great, and as a white belt I’ve always felt supported. Everyone genuinely wants to help you improve.

★★★★★ — Carlos, Jun 2026

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 130 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Rat Town Jiu Jitsu Academy

Rat Town Jiu Jitsu Academy 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 Rat Town Jiu Jitsu 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.

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 Rat Town Jiu Jitsu Academy

725 Atlantic Blvd Unit 17B, Atlantic Beach, FL32233

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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.