Home › Washington › Bellevue › Synapse Jiu Jitsu
Synapse Jiu Jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 19 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Bellevue, Washington
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
- 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 synapsebjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 206-307-2162
Hours
| Monday | 10:45 am–12:30 pm, 4–8:45 pm |
| Tuesday | 10:45 am–12:30 pm, 3:45–8:45 pm |
| Wednesday | 10:45 am–12:30 pm, 4–8:45 pm |
| Thursday | 10:45 am–12:30 pm, 3:45–8:45 pm |
| Friday | 4:45–7:45 pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | 8:45 am–12:30 pm |
The classes they run
“He has been training one of our kids in the competition class, and we couldn’t be happier with the way he teaches.”
“Furthermore, as a woman in martial arts, it is particularly difficult to find a place in which I feel safe to practice new moves.”
“I stayed for the leg lock class, no-gi class, and open mat—great instruction, high-level training, and a really supportive atmosphere.”
“I stayed for the leg lock class, no-gi class, and open mat—great instruction, high-level training, and a really supportive atmosphere.”
“He has been training one of our kids in the competition class, and we couldn’t be happier with the way he teaches.”
“I stayed for the leg lock class, no-gi class, and open mat—great instruction, high-level training, and a really supportive atmosphere.”
“The instructors clearly care about helping everyone improve, whether you’re a beginner or more experienced.”
What members say
“In my 12 years of martial arts training from adolescence to adulthood, I have never had a jiu jitsu instructor as driven and knowledgeable as Instructor Nicolas.”
“Dropped into Synapse Jiu Jitsu a few times while I was in town for work, and Eleanor and Nic were so welcoming!”
“The gym environment is friendly, welcoming and there are people of all levels to learn from, which makes classes interesting.”
“Coach Nicolas has an incredible balance of being technical and detailed, while also making the kids feel supported and motivated.”
“The kids program is excellent—my son really enjoys it and has been gaining confidence and skills every week.”
“They helped me prep for a weekend competition and I can confidently say they've created an awesome, safe & supportive BJJ community.”
From the reviews
I’ve trained with Coach Nicolas for years, and Synapse BJJ truly feels like home. He’s helped me grow so much, both in jiu-jitsu and as a person. It’s a welcoming, respectful space where everyone supports each other. I can’t imagine training anywhere else.
Great instruction, and very friendly coach. Cares about the technical development and also longevity of students
We’ve had such a great experience with Coach Nicolas. He has been training one of our kids in the competition class, and we couldn’t be happier with the way he teaches. Coach Nicolas has an incredible balance of being technical and detailed, while also making the kids feel supported and motivated.
I’ve been training at this gym for a 2-3 months, and I it’s been a great experience. I never had a dull class. Coach Nicolas is extremely patient and makes learning approachable, especially for beginners like me.
New to BJJ? Start at Synapse Jiu Jitsu
Synapse Jiu Jitsu 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 Synapse 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 Bellevue
Demon Jiu Jitsu
Warrior Strength Martial Arts
4.9 ★★★★★ 55 reviews
10th Planet Jiu Jitsu Seattle
5 ★★★★★ 62 reviews