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Shawn Hammonds Jiu Jitsu Academy
5 ★★★★★ 63 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Nashville, Tennessee
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
- Women's classes dedicated women's BJJ classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule shawnhammondsjiujitsu.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 615-981-6150
Hours
| Monday | 5:30 am–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 5:30 am–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 5:30 am–8 pm |
| Thursday | 5:30 am–8 pm |
| Friday | 5:30 am–8 pm |
| Saturday | 10 am–2 pm |
| Sunday | 1:30–4 pm |
The classes they run
“The ladies' class is phenomenal, and the level of support here is unmatched.”
“They care about advancing you as a Jiujitsu competitor and a person.”
“Whether you're a total beginner or a seasoned practitioner, I’d highly recommend it to anyone looking for high-quality training in a welcoming environment.”
What members say
“Growing up, I was never particularly athletic, so I never truly understood the value of great coaching or the feeling of being part of a team.”
“Whether you're a total beginner or a seasoned practitioner, I’d highly recommend it to anyone looking for high-quality training in a welcoming environment.”
“Whether you're a total beginner or a seasoned practitioner, I’d highly recommend it to anyone looking for high-quality training in a welcoming environment.”
“The instructors are not only highly experienced but also masters of the little details that make techniques effective.”
“If you are a woman who is apprehensive about training with men, there are enough women to exclusively train with women (just let one of the black belts know).”
From the reviews
I can’t say enough good things about this gym! Growing up, I was never particularly athletic, so I never truly understood the value of great coaching or the feeling of being part of a team. But this place has completely changed that—it’s become a second home for me.
I was in town for work and decided to check out Shawn Hammonds on a week pass. Wow, this gym is sick. First off Shawn greeted me at the door and had a conversation with me and he introduced me to all of the instructors. I appreciated that a lot. You won’t find many gyms more welcoming than this one.
This place and these people are some of the best in the industry. The training floor is world class. The instructors are world class. The environment is positive and full of energy. Whether you are training to become a world champion, or you just want to learn a little jiu jitsu for fun, you will be welcome here.
Excellent instruction and great group of people to train with! People of all sizes train here and my jiu jitsu has improved greatly because of this. If you are a woman who is apprehensive about training with men, there are enough women to exclusively train with women (just let one of the black belts know).
New to BJJ? Start at Shawn Hammonds Jiu Jitsu Academy
Shawn Hammonds Jiu Jitsu Academy 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 Shawn Hammonds Jiu Jitsu 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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