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Solecki Jiu Jitsu Academy
5 ★★★★★ 92 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Gastonia, North Carolina
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 soleckijiujitsu.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (704) 675-9004
Hours
| Monday | 11 AM–8:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 5–8:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 11 AM–1 PM, 5–8:30 PM |
| Thursday | 5–8:30 PM |
| Friday | 11 AM–1 PM, 5–7:30 PM |
| Saturday | 12–2 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“I wasn’t sure if Jiu Jitsu was for me, but after starting fundamentals I am hooked!”
“If you have kids that are looking to get into Jiu Jitsu you've found the place.”
“Im visiting family in town and needed a place to train while getting ready for a tournament.”
“People come for all kinds of reasons—interest in the sport, self-defense, fitness, or simply to be part of a positive community—and all of those goals are supported.”
“His approach to teaching fundamentals makes the sport accessible for beginners while reinforcing habits that benefit practitioners at every level.”
What members say
“Joe is a great instructor and in the 2 months I have been attending I am noticeably better at jiu jitsu since I have started.”
“Instruction was top notch, the owners were incredibly welcoming, and the training partners were skilled, friendly, and respectful.”
“From signing up to training on the mat for 2 months now, Solecki Jiu Jitsu has been a safe and friendly environment to learn and train.”
“His approach to teaching fundamentals makes the sport accessible for beginners while reinforcing habits that benefit practitioners at every level.”
“Im visiting family in town and needed a place to train while getting ready for a tournament.”
“The academy itself is spacious, clean, well-organized, and creates an environment where both beginners and experienced practitioners can thrive.”
From the reviews
My kids and I are incredibly impressed with Solecki Jiu Jitsu! It is a clean, organized, and truly family-friendly environment. The instructors are fantastic—they teach with the utmost respect and genuine care for every student. We feel so incredibly blessed to have a world-class academy like this so close to our home.
I joined this academy in November when it first opened, not entirely sure it would be for me. At 42, trying something completely new—especially a combat sport—felt well outside my comfort zone. I originally thought I’d give it a month and move on. Looking back now, that couldn’t be further from the truth.
There’s a reason this place has 5 stars across the board!! I travel extensively for work and make it a point to drop into local gyms whenever I can. From the moment I walked through the door until the time I left, my experience at Joe’s Academy was outstanding!!
Im visiting family in town and needed a place to train while getting ready for a tournament. Joe & Kacey made me feel welcome as soon as I walked in the door. The atmosphere is positive, encouraging, and great for everyone from beginners to experienced Jiu Jitsu athletes.
New to BJJ? Start at Solecki Jiu Jitsu Academy
Solecki Jiu Jitsu Academy 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 Solecki 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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