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Shorty's Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 119 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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
- 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 shortysbjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (484) 416-0824
Hours
| Monday | 6:30–8 AM, 5–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 6:30–8 AM, 12–1 PM, 6–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 6:30–8 AM, 5–9 PM |
| Thursday | 12–1 PM, 6–9 PM |
| Friday | 6:30–8 AM, 5–9 PM |
| Saturday | 11 AM–1 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“Intro classes M/W/F provide a strong foundation for anyone interested in getting into the sport and learning the fundamentals.”
“Each kid's class starts with the coaches asking how is the day or week going.”
“A Welcoming environment teaching modern jiu jitsu in both the Gi and No - Gi.”
“I train at another Philly gym but drop in to Shorty's for their comp class on occasion and Mike has created an awesome space.”
“The schedule is amazing, you can go to classes both before and after work on weekdays and go to open mat on weekends.”
“Coach Mike and his team helped my 7 year old child learn valuable self-defense techniques and build confidence!”
“As soon as you enter, you feel welcomed into a community where everyone, from beginners to advanced practitioners, can thrive.”
Other martial arts here
What members say
“Not only is it a great place to train it is filled with great coaches, training partners and new friends.”
“As soon as you enter, you feel welcomed into a community where everyone, from beginners to advanced practitioners, can thrive.”
“At first I was really nervous to train not only with women but with men too, but the community is so friendly here that I got comfortable quickly.”
“BJJ can be a confusing martial art, but Mike and the other instructors break down techniques in an easy to understand way while making it a fun experience.”
“Advanced and competitive classes offer great ways for anyone to improve their game and get into competition.”
“They offer a clean, and welcoming environment and focuses on both discipline and fun.”
From the reviews
I cant say enough about how great Shorty's is. I found jiu jitsu amidst the pandemic and haven't left ever since, Shorty's was the first and only gym I checked out. From the small space on Lancaster Avenue to the new location on Baltimore Ave it has kept me constantly coming back.
Who needs therapy when you can attend Shorty’s BJJ studio? As someone with no previous martial arts experience, I figured getting my butt handed to me daily would be the ultimate cure for a rough summer. And boy, was I right! 😂💪 Now, when I say my butt got handed to me daily, I'm not kidding!
I've been a friend of Shorty's Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Philadelphia for some time now, and it's a decision I'm incredibly proud of. This academy is a beacon for those looking to learn or advance in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. The diversity of the students in terms of age and skill levels is impressive.
This is a great bjj school. I got to spend almost 3 months training here, wish I could stay longer. I have never tried bjj before coming here and I got insane skill progression in just a couple of months.
New to BJJ? Start at Shorty's Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Shorty's 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.
Your first BJJ class at Shorty's 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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