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The Trench Jiu-Jitsu

5 ★★★★★ 24 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Tacoma, Washington

BJJ gym Beginners welcome Kids & teens

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
  • Open mat open-mat rolling sessions for members to practice live — always optional and at your own pace
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule thetrenchjiujitsu.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 253-461-0006

Hours

Monday 4:30–7:30 pm
Tuesday 4:30–7:30 pm
Wednesday 4:30–7:30 pm
Thursday 4:30–7:30 pm
Friday 4:30–7:30 pm
Saturday 9:30 am–1 pm
Sunday Closed

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

🧒 Kids BJJ 13 mentions

“When I found out The Trench Jiu Jitsu was enrolling, I quickly signed my daughter up for a trial.”

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💪 Women's BJJ 2 mentions

“They’ve got adults, children, and women's class so if you’re thinking of jiu jitsu for your kids, yourself, or the whole family, try out a class and dive into the Trenches!”

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🔓 Open Mat

“My wife and I dropped in for a open mat.”

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🛡️ Self-Defense 5 mentions

“It’s been great having my kids here to learn self defense, new techniques, life lessons, grow their confidence, and push them out of their comfort zone.”

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🌱 Beginners 2 mentions

“Great new and clean place to bring my son for beginners or experienced training.”

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What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 24 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 4 mentions

“Professor David is a great guide and is holding down a great school here”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 8 mentions

“It can be very intimidating going into a new place or trying something new but everyone here has been super welcoming and greets you with a smile.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 12 mentions

“It can be very intimidating going into a new place or trying something new but everyone here has been super welcoming and greets you with a smile.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 4 mentions

“Every day she would ask when she was going back so it was clear she enjoyed being there learning techniques from Professor David and the coaches.”

🧒 strong kids program 4 mentions

“My daughter loves coming to class and learning from Professor David and the other coaches.”

🧼 clean, well-kept mats 4 mentions

“Great new and clean place to bring my son for beginners or experienced training.”

From the reviews

When I found out The Trench Jiu Jitsu was enrolling, I quickly signed my daughter up for a trial. Every day she would ask when she was going back so it was clear she enjoyed being there learning techniques from Professor David and the coaches.

★★★★★ — Liza, Aug 2024

Professor David is a natural at teaching BJJ! The Trench staff are very welcoming and friendly. His patient and engaging teaching keeps me focused on the technique at hand. The workouts I get beat the gym by far. This is the place to learn BJJ and self defense for every one of all ages. Don’t be shy and stop by!

★★★★★ — Jlglisson, Aug 2024

Great new and clean place to bring my son for beginners or experienced training. Great family friendly ran jiu-jitsu place. Would recommend to anyone looking for a fun and great place to learn. Has kids, women, and adult class. Anyone interested should just drop in and ask about classes and times.

★★★★★ — Lyall, Aug 2024

Great new academy. Clean, well-run with respectful teaching staff. Professor David is a friendly and patient instructor with many years of experience under his black belt. He is great with kids and adults alike. Can't beat the Trench if you're looking for a place to train in NE Tacoma or Federal Way.

★★★★★ — Joel, Sep 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 24 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at The Trench Jiu-Jitsu

The Trench Jiu-Jitsu 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 The Trench 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.

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 The Trench Jiu-Jitsu

4125 49th Ave NE Ste A, Tacoma, WA98422

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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.