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Top Game Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
4.9 ★★★★★ 31 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Richmond, Virginia
Affiliated academy — reviews and the gym's own info point to a recognized BJJ lineage or affiliation (think Gracie Barra, 10th Planet, Renzo Gracie, Alliance, Atos or Checkmat). If lineage matters to you, ask which affiliation the academy belongs to and under whom the head instructor earned their black belt.
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
- No-gi no-gi grappling classes — training in a rashguard and shorts, with faster scrambles and a natural bridge to MMA
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule topgamebjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 804-426-6619
Hours
| Monday | 5:30–10 pm |
| Tuesday | 12–1:30 pm, 7–9 pm |
| Wednesday | 5:30–10 pm |
| Thursday | 12–1:30 pm, 5:30–9 pm |
| Friday | 12–1:30 pm |
| Saturday | 10 am–1 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“The expert coaching provides meticulous instruction, ensuring strong fundamentals and continuous growth.”
“i signed up my two boys in there for almost 3 years very friendly and super nice with the kids.”
“As a lifelong wrestler and military veteran, the ability to train and compete with a brotherhood and team of dedicated martial artists is very valuable to me.”
“I recommend anyone who is searching for a healthy lifestyle and legitimate self defense, come train with us!”
“His teaching is top tier no matter if you’re a beginner or advanced.”
Other martial arts here
“I train in BJJ and Muay Thai/Kickboxing.”
“This makes it the best place in Richmond to train Jiu Jitsu/mma by far!”
What members say
“Chris is a great instructor who makes the newcomers feel welcomed.”
“Beyond the techniques, Top Game fosters a welcoming and supportive community, making it a truly rewarding place to train and develop.”
“Chris, the owner & lead instructor, is warm and friendly and the academy has a culture of relaxed comradery, but the training is intense (in the best of ways).”
“The expert coaching provides meticulous instruction, ensuring strong fundamentals and continuous growth.”
“As a lifelong wrestler and military veteran, the ability to train and compete with a brotherhood and team of dedicated martial artists is very valuable to me.”
From the reviews
Just staying with some family in the area and thought I'd try to make it to a gym a few times while I was in the area. Sent Chris an email a few days in advance and went by today! First experience traveling and showing up to a gym was a fantastic experience. Went over a few things and rolled with some people.
Chance Godwin, owner of Godwin Media here to say that I'm very happy I joined Top Game BJJ. As a 33 year old I'm starting from complete scratch, never having studied martial arts before.
I've been training at TG for a couple years. Chris really knows his Jiu Jitsu. He teaches the basic techniques that will keep you safe and competitive for years to come. As you gain more skills, Chris offers more advanced technique for competition and growth. Top Game is like a family.
Chris in my opinion has the highest skill level in both BJJ and striking skills as a 4th degree black belt in tae kwon do, highly skilled in muay tai not to mention 4th degree in BJJ. Teaching skills are superior to any school I've been to and his character is composed of honesty and integrity.
New to BJJ? Start at Top Game Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Top Game Brazilian 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 Top Game Brazilian 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.
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