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START Jiu Jitsu Academy - Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Pembroke Pines

5 ★★★★★ 337 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Pembroke Pines, Florida

BJJ gym Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens Competition team

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

  • 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 startjiujitsu.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 786-543-0001

Hours

Monday 6:45 am–9 pm
Tuesday 6:45 am–9 pm
Wednesday 6:45 am–9 pm
Thursday 6:45 am–9 pm
Friday 6:45 am–9 pm
Saturday 9 am–1:30 pm
Sunday 9–11 am

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 START Jiu Jitsu Academy - Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Pembroke Pines, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 36 mentions

“My daughter been coming for more than 8 months and she loves it and the professors are always very attentive to her and teaching her in the areas she needs to improve.”

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💪 Women's BJJ

“Loved it so much I started coming for myself to get trained, the ladies class is incredible and supportive.”

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🏆 Competition Team 2 mentions

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🛡️ Self-Defense 3 mentions

“If you want your kids to build confidence, discipline, respect, and learn real self-defense, I highly recommend Start Jiu-Jitsu.”

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🌱 Beginners

“The professors are excellent teachers — patient, knowledgeable, and very good at explaining the techniques, especially for beginners.”

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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 START Jiu Jitsu Academy - Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Pembroke Pines — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🥊 Muay Thai

“My children both do Jiujitsu and on occasion Muay Thai.”

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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 337 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 4 mentions

“Feeling blessed and beyond grateful for this academy , for the sport but mostly for having the best professors on the planet!”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 8 mentions

“The professors are amazing, this is a professional and welcoming environment, kids are in a safe and friendly atmosphere.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 25 mentions

“The sense of community they provide is very endearing and important to us, they are always hosting special and family events- getting everyone involved.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 4 mentions

“The professors are excellent teachers — patient, knowledgeable, and very good at explaining the techniques, especially for beginners.”

🧒 strong kids program 10 mentions

“My son loves it, and although he finds some of the classes challenging he also finds himself to constantly being rewarded for his hard work.”

active competition team 4 mentions

“Weather you pursue Jiu Jitsu for self defense, exercise or even competition this gym has a great way of catering to each need.”

From the reviews

We absolutely love START Jiu Jitsu! Our boys have been attending over a year and a half now and we couldn't be happier. They have lots of fun while also learning and practicing defense techniques, core values and discipline.

★★★★★ — Michelle, Sep 2022

My daughter has been taking classes here for over a year now and I think this is by far one of the best things that as a parent I have done for my child. Before she started in the academy I had reached out to other Jiu Jitsu and martial arts schools and it was either hard to get a hold of someone or there was…

★★★★★ — Carmen, Dec 2025

I recently started training here after thinking about doing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for many years. My son began training first and loved it, and after watching his classes I decided to join him. It’s been a fantastic experience. From the very first day, everyone has been incredibly welcoming and supportive.

★★★★★ — Angel, Mar 2026

This review is well overdue, but never late. Our son has tried many sports and activities over the years, and this is the only one he has truly stuck with. He started back in 2021, and now—four and a half years later—he is a blue belt ❤️ Our daughter also found interest as she watched her brother train and is now two…

★★★★★ — Darcy, Dec 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 337 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at START Jiu Jitsu Academy - Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Pembroke Pines

START Jiu Jitsu Academy - Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Pembroke Pines 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.

See their beginner class info

Your first BJJ class at START Jiu Jitsu Academy - Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Pembroke Pines

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 START Jiu Jitsu Academy - Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Pembroke Pines

12335 Pembroke Rd, Pembroke Pines, FL33025

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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.