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Toad Jiu Jitsu and Lift Lab Fitness

5 ★★★★★ 8 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Bennington, Vermont

BJJ gym Beginners welcome Private lessons

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
  • 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
  • Today see hours ·
  • Phone (413) 358-5336

Hours

Monday 5:30–8:30 PM
Tuesday 9 AM–5 PM
Wednesday 5:30–8:30 PM
Thursday 5:30–8:30 PM
Friday 9 AM–5 PM
Saturday 9 AM–5 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 Toad Jiu Jitsu and Lift Lab Fitness, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

👤 Private Lessons

“Ryan Todd has been a great coach where he gives great group instruction as well as one on one instruction and advice.”

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🌱 Beginners 2 mentions

“Friendly to all skill levels.”

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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 Toad Jiu Jitsu and Lift Lab Fitness — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🦵 Kickboxing

“Do you guys offer kickboxing?”

Other gyms that also teach kickboxing →

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 8 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 2 mentions

“Ryan Todd has been a great coach where he gives great group instruction as well as one on one instruction and advice.”

From the reviews

I've been to a handful of local gyms and with all due respect, they pale in comparison to Toads. You have a safe and comfortable environment that doesn't compromise on the quality of the teachings. The coach is ludicrously skilled and his advice is perfectly currated to fix your biggest gap in knowledge.

★★★★★ — Alex, Jan 2025

I’ve been really lucky to be training at this gym for the past year. Everyone is more than happy to help each other get better on both the jiu jistu side of the gym and the weightlifting side. Ryan Todd has been a great coach where he gives great group instruction as well as one on one instruction and advice.

★★★★★ — Ryan, Jan 2025

Awesome place to learn jiu jitsu and striking. Ryan has a great amount of knowledge and the other people at the gym are fantastic to work with and learn from

★★★★★ — Zack, Jan 2025

Great atmosphere. Friendly to all skill levels. Coaches pay attention to detail and are dedicated to their craft.

★★★★★ — Drew, Jan 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 8 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Toad Jiu Jitsu and Lift Lab Fitness

Toad Jiu Jitsu and Lift Lab Fitness 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.

Call about beginner classes: (413) 358-5336

Your first BJJ class at Toad Jiu Jitsu and Lift Lab Fitness

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 Toad Jiu Jitsu and Lift Lab Fitness

239 Main St, Bennington, VT05201

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.