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Shield Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

5 ★★★★★ 38 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Winter Garden, Florida

BJJ gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons Competition team

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
  • Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule shieldbjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (413) 433-8931

Hours

Monday 7–9:30 PM
Tuesday 7 AM–9:30 PM
Wednesday 7–9:30 PM
Thursday 12–9:30 PM
Friday 7 AM–9 PM
Saturday 8:30–10 AM
Sunday Closed

Hours shift for holidays, seminars, and open-gym times — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

BJJ classes on the schedule at Shield Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🏆 Competition Team

“A true black belt fully recognized and approved by the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF).”

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👤 Private Lessons

“They have a unique way of teaching that feels like you are doing a private class even though there’s a lot of people on the mat !”

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🛡️ Self-Defense 3 mentions

“Whether you're looking to build strength, learn self-defense, or just be a part of a great community, I couldn't recommend Ricardo's BJJ class more.”

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🌱 Beginners 2 mentions

“The group is incredible, fostering a supportive and encouraging environment that is welcoming for both beginners and more experienced practitioners alike.”

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Other martial arts here

BJJ gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at Shield Brazilian Jiu Jitsu — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🏟️ MMA

“I’ve had the privilege of being trained in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) by Ricardo, who is not only a seasoned MMA fighter but an awesome teacher as well.”

Other gyms that also teach mma →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the gym's own info — they show what members have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want MMA, muay thai, or wrestling alongside your BJJ, confirm the current schedule with the gym.

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 38 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 6 mentions

“Been there for just 2 weeks and I’m already seeing progress on myself, the environment is amazing and the coach Ricardo is by far the best I have ever had in any sport”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 3 mentions

“The group is incredible, fostering a supportive and encouraging environment that is welcoming for both beginners and more experienced practitioners alike.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 5 mentions

“The group is incredible, fostering a supportive and encouraging environment that is welcoming for both beginners and more experienced practitioners alike.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 5 mentions

“Riccardo and the teams focus on safety, proper training, and technique is really encouraging.”

🧼 clean, well-kept mats 5 mentions

“Shield BJJ has a great leader and classes are held in a very clean and extremely well organized facility.”

🧠 builds confidence & discipline 3 mentions

“Training at Shield BJJ helped me gain a lot of confidence by learning amazing self defense skills of this amazing martial art !”

From the reviews

Shield BJJ has a great leader and classes are held in a very clean and extremely well organized facility. There is a huge benefit from learning the gentle art directly from a naturally born and raised Brazilian! A true black belt fully recognized and approved by the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF).

★★★★★ — Caio, Feb 2023

Shield BJJ is the place to go if you are serious about learning Brazilian Jiu jitsu Amazing facility , with a great vibe and a dedicated and super experienced coach that will make your BJJ game to go another level . Coach Rato is the real deal and you will definitely have a great experience learning from him .

★★★★★ — Caio, Feb 2023

Training at Shield BJJ helped me gain a lot of confidence by learning amazing self defense skills of this amazing martial art ! They have a unique way of teaching that feels like you are doing a private class even though there’s a lot of people on the mat ! Great place , great vibes , great class !

★★★★★ — Viviane, Feb 2023

I’ve had the privilege of being trained in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) by Ricardo, who is not only a seasoned MMA fighter but an awesome teacher as well. His expertise in martial arts is simply unmatched, and he brings a wealth of knowledge and skill to each class.

★★★★★ — Elio, Sep 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 38 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Shield Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Shield Brazilian 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.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first BJJ class at Shield 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.

BJJ is a contact sport. Ease in, tap early and often, listen to your coaches, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find Shield Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

9245 Miley Dr Ste 110, Winter Garden, FL34787

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this gym? Claim your listing — it's free.