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Tawheed Jiu-Jitsu Academy

5 ★★★★★ 42 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Durham, North Carolina

BJJ gym Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons Competition team

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
  • 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
  • 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 tawheedjiujitsu.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (919) 698-0773

Hours

Monday 6–8:30 PM
Tuesday 6–9:30 PM
Wednesday 6–8:30 PM
Thursday 6–9:30 PM
Friday 6–8:30 PM
Saturday Closed
Sunday 10 AM–12 PM

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

🧒 Kids BJJ 15 mentions

“My son recently began taking classes here, and already I love the entire atmosphere and community of Tawheed Jiu-Jitsu.”

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🏆 Competition Team 2 mentions

“Many of the members compete so you’ll be shrouded by a growth mindset environment.”

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👤 Private Lessons

“If you're looking for a welcoming space with humble people eager to teach, and plenty of one-on-one time with the professor, this is definitely the place to be.”

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🔓 Open Mat

“I visited the open mat from out of town.”

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🛡️ Self-Defense 2 mentions

“Highly recommend for anyone looking to improve their fitness, self-defense skills, and mindset in a supportive community.”

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🌱 Beginners 2 mentions

“They have built a very welcoming environment that makes it easy for beginners of any age to quickly feel comfortable.”

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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 Tawheed Jiu-Jitsu Academy — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🏟️ MMA 2 mentions

“I’ve trained in MMA for many years, and it’s rare to find a place that truly leaves an impression.”

Other gyms that also teach mma →

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 42 Google reviews — in their own words.

🌱 welcoming to beginners 10 mentions

“He does an excellent job harboring a fun and welcoming environment that makes it easy to learn and continue showing up!”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 15 mentions

“If you're looking for a welcoming space with humble people eager to teach, and plenty of one-on-one time with the professor, this is definitely the place to be.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 3 mentions

“Professor Khalil is an exceptional instructor, the level of details when he teaches the class is very impressive.”

active competition team 3 mentions

“The owner is kind, competent, and firm when necessary, while also showing compassion to students struggling to grasp concepts.”

🧠 builds confidence & discipline 2 mentions

“At one gym, for example, the focus felt more like a business transaction than a place to grow, trainers seemed distant, and the environment was competitive in the wrong way.”

From the reviews

I've trained at several gyms, including some that looked great on the surface but lacked a real sense of community. At one gym, for example, the focus felt more like a business transaction than a place to grow, trainers seemed distant, and the environment was competitive in the wrong way.

★★★★★ — Abd, May 2025

I’ve trained in MMA for many years, and it’s rare to find a place that truly leaves an impression. Tawheed Jiu-Jitsu is one of those rare gems. Here, you don’t just train with some of the best technically, but you roll with true brothers, creating a sense of community unlike anything I’ve experienced.

★★★★★ — F, May 2025

This is the perfect environment for both adults and children! Both my son and daughter have been participating for a couple months now and they totally enjoys it ! Professor Khalil is absolutely fernomal with the kids !

★★★★★ — Ryan, Sep 2024

I’ve been doing Jiu Jitsu for about a month now and honestly, it’s 🔥. At first I was kinda nervous, but now I’m actually getting good and learning a ton. Every class pushes me, but it’s fun too — the moves are starting to make sense and I’m way more confident than when I started.

★★★★★ — Ameer, Oct 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 42 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Tawheed Jiu-Jitsu Academy

Tawheed 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.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first BJJ class at Tawheed 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.

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 Tawheed Jiu-Jitsu Academy

5279 N Roxboro St, Durham, NC27712

Get directions

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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.