Home › Georgia › McDonough › Smith Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Smith Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
4.8 ★★★★★ 67 Google reviews · BJJ gym in McDonough, Georgia
Affiliated academy — reviews and the gym's own info point to a recognized BJJ lineage or affiliation (think Gracie Barra, 10th Planet, Renzo Gracie, Alliance, Atos or Checkmat). If lineage matters to you, ask which affiliation the academy belongs to and under whom the head instructor earned their black belt.
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
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule smithbjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (678) 438-0739
Hours
| Monday | 6–7 AM, 5–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 5–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 6–7 AM, 5–8 PM |
| Thursday | 5–8 PM |
| Friday | 6–7 AM, 7–8 PM |
| Saturday | 11 AM–12 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“I've dabbled in several martial arts, went pretty far in one when I was a kid, but in my experience very few are applicable in real life.”
“Whether you're a competitor or a hobbyist they will get you to the level you want to be, and this is rare in a gym.”
“Great instructors, a welcoming atmosphere, and high-quality instruction for all skill levels”
What members say
“Philip and David were great instructors, everyone in the gym was friendly and welcoming, and I was able to get some great rolls in.”
“Philip and David were great instructors, everyone in the gym was friendly and welcoming, and I was able to get some great rolls in.”
“There’s a genuine sense of camaraderie on the mats—people push each other to get better, but in a way that’s supportive rather than competitive.”
“Would highly recommend for the new student looking to learn the fundamentals and the veteran practitioner looking for a comfortable home base.”
“Everyone that trains as a member has always been friendly to me, and the mats clean for great rolls.”
From the reviews
My 10 year old just spent his first week doing BJJ with this Academy. It is great! Phillip is terrific for all ages and really has the background and experience that you can trust in a martial arts teacher. We look forward to training here for a long time.
I really love the classes and overall environment! As a female fighter, I've been in combat gyms for over 8 years and I have seen some things. Smith BJJ is literally a collection of all of the good things and lessons I've learned through the years and is the way BJJ should be.
I remember my first ever class at this place. I walked in the morning and was immediately greeted by a smiling brown belt who showed me the ropes and told me all the essentials. There was only 2 other people there that day, both of which immediately made me feel very welcomed.
I've dabbled in several martial arts, went pretty far in one when I was a kid, but in my experience very few are applicable in real life. BJJ is at the top of that list, and this academy has a master instructor who cares about teaching, learning, engaging with his students, and really wants everyone to succeed.
New to BJJ? Start at Smith Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Smith 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 Smith 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.
More BJJ gyms near McDonough
Independent MMA & Fitness
4.8 ★★★★★ 164 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
Family-friendly center offering jiu-jitsu, cardio kickboxing, and boxing classes, among others.
Wolfhunter JiuJitsu Club
5 ★★★★★ 79 reviews
Anchor Jiu Jitsu & Fitness
5 ★★★★★ 68 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site