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Summit Jiu-Jitsu Academy
5 ★★★★★ 32 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Roanoke, Virginia
Plan your first class
- Membership memberships run around $20/mo — many academies also offer a discounted first month and family plans, so ask about new-member rates
- 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 (ages 7) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- Women's classes dedicated women's BJJ classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
- 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
- No-gi no-gi grappling classes — training in a rashguard and shorts, with faster scrambles and a natural bridge to MMA
- 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 summitjiu-jitsu.com — book classes and see the live schedule
Hours
| Monday | 5:30–7:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 6:30–7:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 5:30–7:30 pm |
| Thursday | 6–7:30 pm |
| Friday | 5:30–7:30 pm |
| Saturday | 10 am–12 pm |
| Sunday | 3–6 pm |
The classes they run
“Stephen has a rare talent for breaking down the complexities of Jiu Jitsu in a way that’s easy to understand for both kids and adults.”
“Great adult program, women’s program And if you’re a competitor there’s a competition class.”
“💪💪 If you don’t have a GI they’ll let you borrow one or they do no-gi as well.”
“Dropped in for a no gi class while on a road trip and had a great time!”
“Whether you’re brand new off the street or a seasoned competitor there’s a space for you here.”
“Today my wife and I, along with our son and daughter, went to the open mat held every Saturday.”
“Definitely check out the girls night on Tuesdays if your looking to learn to self defense in a less strict environment!”
“From the moment you walk in, he makes you feel comfortable and at ease, creating a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere that’s perfect for both beginners and experienced practitioners.”
Other martial arts here
What members say
“I appreciate the variety of classes, the friendly and knowledgeable instructors, and the team environment that makes training feel supportive and motivating.”
“From the moment you walk in, he makes you feel comfortable and at ease, creating a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere that’s perfect for both beginners and experienced practitioners.”
“From the moment you walk in, he makes you feel comfortable and at ease, creating a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere that’s perfect for both beginners and experienced practitioners.”
“They efficiently teach the classes and allow for adequate practice/sparring time each day without sacrificing technique overview.”
“He’s especially great with children—assertive when needed, yet always patient and encouraging.”
“Whether you’re brand new off the street or a seasoned competitor there’s a space for you here.”
From the reviews
I bring my two daughters for the kids class and enjoy the adult class for me. Coaches Stephen and Tara are great! They explain everything, invite questions, and offer great guidance in the classes. My daughters and I really enjoy the space to learn and the challenge of each class.
Great place, friendly, welcoming. Instruction was awesome and really helpful. Technical instructors, perfect place to get started on Brazilian jiu jitsu or pick it back up. Definitely recommend.💪💪 If you don’t have a GI they’ll let you borrow one or they do no-gi as well.
We couldn’t be happier with our experience at this Jiu Jitsu academy. Coach Stephen is an exceptional instructor—knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely kind. From the moment you walk in, he makes you feel comfortable and at ease, creating a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere that’s perfect for both beginners and…
The instructors are great. They efficiently teach the classes and allow for adequate practice/sparring time each day without sacrificing technique overview. They do not force excessive warm-ups that turn into work outs that gas you out (They do allow you to workout, with weights, if you wish), and they allow all…
New to BJJ? Start at Summit Jiu-Jitsu Academy
Summit Jiu-Jitsu Academy comes up as a beginner-friendly gym, going by their listing and members’ reviews. 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 Summit 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. 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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