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Renzo Gracie Garwood

4.9 ★★★★★ 141 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Garwood, New Jersey

Part of Renzo Gracie Academy

BJJ gym Free trial Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons Competition team

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
  • 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
  • Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule renzograciegarwood.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 908-487-5238

Hours

Monday 4–9:30 pm
Tuesday 5–10 pm
Wednesday 4–8:30 pm
Thursday 5–10 pm
Friday 4–9 pm
Saturday 11 am–2:30 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 Renzo Gracie Garwood, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

📘 Fundamentals 2 mentions

“He helped build the basics and always provided timely feedback to help me improve.”

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🧒 Kids BJJ 8 mentions

“He has a way of blending discipline with encouragement so the kids feel both challenged and supported.”

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🏆 Competition Team 3 mentions

“Professor Thiago is not only a phenomenal black belt and fierce competitor, but he’s also a truly gifted instructor.”

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👤 Private Lessons

“I am a heavy person, by taking private classes and regular classes with ProffesorThiago, helped me improve my fitness.”

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🛡️ Self-Defense

“Whether you're training for your first tournament or just want to get in shape and learn self-defense, he’s the kind of mentor who meets you where you are and lifts you higher.”

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🌱 Beginners 3 mentions

“He has that rare ability to break down high-level technique in a way that makes sense for everyone, from beginners to seasoned grapplers.”

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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 Renzo Gracie Garwood — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🏟️ MMA

“My twin boys (7) also trained with him, both MMA and jiujitsu.”

Other gyms that also teach mma →

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 141 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 7 mentions

“Thiago Angelon is a top notch coach. He Is amazing and patient with the youth while providing superior training for adults.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 5 mentions

“The humbleness of the instructors rubs off on to all the students and as a result, the environment is very welcoming and everyone is super friendly and helpful.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 18 mentions

“The humbleness of the instructors rubs off on to all the students and as a result, the environment is very welcoming and everyone is super friendly and helpful.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 10 mentions

“He has that rare ability to break down high-level technique in a way that makes sense for everyone, from beginners to seasoned grapplers.”

great workout & conditioning 3 mentions

“Whether you want a great workout at the end of the day or if you are looking to seriously train for competitions, there is a place for you at Renzo Gracie.”

active competition team 4 mentions

“Whether you want a great workout at the end of the day or if you are looking to seriously train for competitions, there is a place for you at Renzo Gracie.”

From the reviews

This is a fantastic Jiujitsu school with highly skilled, professional, and caring instructors. Carlos and Bernardo are extremely attentive and give every student attention and motivation.

★★★★★ — Vinnie, May 2022

Professor Thiago Angelon is an incredible jiu-jitsu instructor and mentor. He has a way of blending discipline with encouragement so the kids feel both challenged and supported.

★★★★★ — Bre, Aug 2025

I’m so grateful to be a part of the family Renzo Gracie Garwood, the school is amazing, amazing people, my family love the place, and also we have Sensei Carlos Bronco and Professor Zanete, those people very humble and lovely with us. Great school and people ever. Thank you Family we always together! Oss

★★★★★ — Joel, Jun 2025

Proffesor Thiago Angelon is very proffesinal proffesor that will take your Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to next level. I am a heavy person, by taking private classes and regular classes with ProffesorThiago, helped me improve my fitness. The physical and tailor made movements he did for me helped me lose tons of weight.

★★★★★ — John, Aug 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 141 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Renzo Gracie Garwood

Renzo Gracie Garwood 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 Renzo Gracie Garwood

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 Renzo Gracie Garwood

155 South Ave, Garwood, NJ07027

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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.