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Renzo Gracie Shoreline Academy
5 ★★★★★ 48 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Old Saybrook, Connecticut
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
- 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 shorelinebjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 203-794-4255
Hours
| Monday | 12–1 pm, 5:30–9:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 5:30–9:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 12–1 pm, 5:30–9:30 pm |
| Thursday | 5:30–9:30 pm |
| Friday | 12–1 pm |
| Saturday | 8:30–11:30 am |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“I am most impressed by the older kids always role modeling respect and kindness to everyone, regardless of age, size and experience.”
“He takes a genuine interest in every student’s progress and development, whether you’re brand new to jiu jitsu or have years of experience.”
Other martial arts here
What members say
“There's such great coaches, upper belts, training partners, and overall instruction.”
“The academy itself is safe, clean, and welcoming, with a strong sense of community that makes it a great place for people of all ages.”
“The academy itself is safe, clean, and welcoming, with a strong sense of community that makes it a great place for people of all ages.”
“This is a place where you can concentrate on technique and if you want to go hard you can or if you prefer a slower pace nobody cares, fully recommend!”
“Training here isn’t just a great workout, it’s an opportunity to learn valuable skills, build confidence, and surround yourself with positive people.”
“Dear Renzo Gracie Team, My son is a member at your location, and I wanted to reach out to share my appreciation for Andy and Kyle.”
From the reviews
I can’t recommend Renzo Gracie Shoreline Academy highly enough. Andy, the owner and head instructor, is outstanding. His instruction is thorough, patient, and incredibly thoughtful.
My daughter has been training here for three years now. The level of training, discipline, and self gratitude is second to none. Andy and his professional staff of highly skilled coaches have made a drastic impact on my daughter. Her training has really brought out her inner person.
Joined this Academy when I moved to CT from NY, couldn’t be happier. Every school has its own culture and I’ve found this gym to have folks that train in a way that is very helpful, not super aggressive. I’m there 3 years now and have developed some strong friendships that have gone beyond the mats.
My son Noah at the time was 17 years old and pretty resistant to the idea of jujitsu or anything new. I begged him to try it once, he ended up loving it and the best decision I’ve ever made for his confidence, social and physical engagement. Watching him get his blue belt was really rewarding.
New to BJJ? Start at Renzo Gracie Shoreline Academy
Renzo Gracie Shoreline Academy 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 Shoreline 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.
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