Home › North Carolina › Wilmington › SaltyDog Jiu Jitsu
SaltyDog Jiu Jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 37 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Wilmington, North Carolina
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
- No-gi no-gi grappling classes — training in a rashguard and shorts, with faster scrambles and a natural bridge to MMA
- Open mat open-mat rolling sessions for members to practice live — always optional and at your own pace
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule portcitymmafitness.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (910) 399-6653
Hours
| Monday | 10 AM–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 10 AM–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 10 AM–8 PM |
| Thursday | 10 AM–8 PM |
| Friday | 10 AM–8 PM |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“Offers expert instruction in both gi and nogi with a fully equipped gym available as well.”
“Offers expert instruction in both gi and nogi with a fully equipped gym available as well.”
“I really hope one day to come to a open mat and get some rolls in!”
“Great gym, partners from all levels available, a lot of chances to put into practice the drills you do, people and coaches are great and respectful, recommend 100%”
Other martial arts here
“Shout out to the Team at Salty Dog for being great ambassadors of the community and a super talented and positive full service MMA gym for locals and visiting athletes alike.”
“We learned some wrestling style arm drags into single leg takedown.”
What members say
“Super fun vibes, solid room, and great instruction.”
“Great gym, partners from all levels available, a lot of chances to put into practice the drills you do, people and coaches are great and respectful, recommend 100%”
“High quality instruction, great talent, competitive environment, humble grapplers.”
“Great gym, partners from all levels available, a lot of chances to put into practice the drills you do, people and coaches are great and respectful, recommend 100%”
From the reviews
I was in town for a cooking competition and had my Gi with me. This was one of the most challenging gyms of my entire Jiujitsu Experience. We learned some wrestling style arm drags into single leg takedown. I'll definitely be incorporating some of this into my game. It was a pleasure to train here.
Dropped in with a friend that trains here on a Sat open mat. I've been to quite a few BJJ academies over the years, and you get a different vibe at each one. Salty Dog was full off "game" training partners of various skillsets and abilities. Everyone was cool and welcoming, but ready to work.
Solid gym. High quality instruction, great talent, competitive environment, humble grapplers. If you live in the Wilmington area, I highly recommend that you train at Salty Dog. If you don't live there, I highly recommend that you visit to train there.
I haven't been to this school, but from a student there he is the kindest person youd ever meet. And students are a direct reflection of professor's!!! I really hope one day to come to a open mat and get some rolls in!!!
New to BJJ? Start at SaltyDog Jiu Jitsu
SaltyDog Jiu Jitsu 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.
Your first BJJ class at SaltyDog 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 Wilmington
Ravensguard BJJ Academy
4.8 ★★★★★ 24 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Fitness
Ethos Jiu Jitsu and Fitness
5 ★★★★★ 227 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site