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Shark Pit Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 85 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Winchester, Virginia
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
- 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 sharkpitbjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (540) 545-5173
Hours
| Monday | 9–10:30 AM, 5–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 6–7 AM, 5–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 6–7 AM, 10–11 AM, 5–9 PM |
| Thursday | 6–7 AM, 9–10:30 AM, 5–9 PM |
| Friday | 6–7 AM, 9–10:30 AM, 5–9 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM–1 PM |
| Sunday | 7 AM–2 PM |
The classes they run
“Both my girls go here as well and the instructors are extremely patient with the kids, while they teach, heck even the head black belt comes and rolls with the kids.”
“They have an awesome womens program and such a nice facility.”
“I definitely recommend Shark Pit to anyone looking to train, compete, get in shape, or simply become part of a great community.”
“The instruction and quality is high class, and whatever the goal may be (competition, fitness, self-defense, etc…), one will find that here.”
“Great Jiu-jitsu instruction and great training environment for all levels of skill, highly recommend!”
Other martial arts here
“From kids, to professional MMA fighters, there is world class instruction.”
“They have Kick boxing also which has been an awesome skill to develop in addition.”
“They have Kick boxing also which has been an awesome skill to develop in addition.”
What members say
“Great Jiu-jitsu instruction and great training environment for all levels of skill, highly recommend!”
“From the moment you walk through the doors, you’re welcomed by a friendly and supportive team of instructors and students who make everyone feel like part of the family.”
“The confidence my daughter gained is astounding. I also feel more confident as a parent, knowing she is/was learning how to defend herself.”
“The instruction and quality is high class, and whatever the goal may be (competition, fitness, self-defense, etc…), one will find that here.”
“The facility is very clean and as an added bonus they have access to a great changing area/locker room.”
“The gym also has a strong and growing number of women practitioners, which speaks volumes about the professionalism, culture, and quality of instruction.”
From the reviews
Shark Pit Jiu Jitsu has a great group of people. The level of grappling is incredible and the instruction is something special. The members like to work hard and have fun.
I have cross trained with members of Shark Pit multiple times whether at my school or theirs. I have also been coached by their head instructor in competition. They are always welcoming, friendly, and helpful. The facility is very clean and as an added bonus they have access to a great changing area/locker room.
One day I decided that I needed a new hobby, and I was considering golf or bowling. Neither of these options included 18th Century Japanese apparel as a condition of participation, and that was a non-starter.
I have so many positive things to say about Shark Pit that I don’t even know where to start. My daughter was a meek 1st grader that joined when Shark Pit opened at the Sportsplex. She previously went to another facility, but it was not what she needed.
New to BJJ? Start at Shark Pit Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Shark Pit Brazilian 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 Shark Pit Brazilian 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.
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