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Renzo Gracie Nashville Jiu Jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 74 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Brentwood, Tennessee
Part of Renzo Gracie Academy
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
- 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
- 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 renzogracienashville.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 615-730-5547
Hours
| Monday | 6–7:30 am, 9:30 am–1:30 pm, 4–9 pm |
| Tuesday | 9:30 am–1:30 pm, 4–9 pm |
| Wednesday | 6–7:30 am, 9:30 am–1:30 pm, 4–9 pm |
| Thursday | 9:30 am–1:30 pm, 4–9 pm |
| Friday | 6–7:30 am, 11:30 am–1:30 pm, 4–8:30 pm |
| Saturday | 9 am–2:30 pm |
| Sunday | 11 am–12:30 pm |
The classes they run
“The school's approach to training is centered around honing technique and mastering the fundamentals.”
“Renzo Gracie Nashville has been amazing for my daughter.”
“I had the opportunity to have one on one lessons with Coach Shawn’s black belt, Lance Martin.”
“His knowledge of jiu jitsu is like no other and I have watched him transform his students of all levels and backgrounds, including myself!”
Other martial arts here
“Coach PJ’s Muay Thai classes are equally top-tier—precise, methodical, and delivered with a creativity and energy that keeps training both relevant and fun.”
What members say
“Shawn Williams is a phenomenal instructor. We go over great techniques in class and have question and answer segments often.”
“If you’re looking for a place to train, whether it’s you’re very first day or you’re already a seasoned brown belt, you’ll find no one better.”
“I spoke to PJ on the phone who was extremely welcoming and made me feel comfortable to train at the school all week just from a phone call.”
“Coach Lance is professional and has an excellent understanding of the necessary details that make for a world class Jiujitsu game.”
“Immersing myself in the world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at Renzo Gracie Nashville has been an eye-opening experience.”
“Clean, welcoming, and a completely dialed-in operation—this place is a true standout in Nashville.”
From the reviews
Shawn Williams is not only a master in BJJ but an excellent instructor. His communication and teaching methods are next level. In fact, all of the instructors there are very knowledgeable, friendly and welcoming. Very great experience!
Renzo Gracie Nashville strikes the rare balance of elite instruction and genuine community. I’ve been training here for the past two years, and Shawn Williams’ technical mastery is evident not just in his own teaching, but throughout the coaches he’s developed.
Professor Shawn Williams is one of the best Brazilian Jiu Jitsu coaches in the world. He’s trained everyone from MMA legends like Georges St. Pierre to people like myself who aren’t natural athletes.
I’ve been a member for over two years at RGN and have loved every second. It is by far the best Jiu Jitsu in Nashville. Shawn Williams is extremely dedicated to teaching all he knows about Jiu Jitsu. It is an honor being able to learn under him and the rest of the instructors!
New to BJJ? Start at Renzo Gracie Nashville Jiu Jitsu
Renzo Gracie Nashville 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 Renzo Gracie Nashville 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 Brentwood
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Profectus Jiu-Jitsu
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🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site