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TRA - Jiu Jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 117 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Jersey City, New Jersey
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
- Free trial or intro class most gyms welcome new members with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
- 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 (ages 4–8) — 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
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule lp.trajiujitsu.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 201-614-3502
Hours
| Monday | 10 am–9:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 10 am–9:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 10 am–9:30 pm |
| Thursday | 10 am–9:30 pm |
| Friday | 10 am–9:30 pm |
| Saturday | 10 am–1 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“Thiago has built an incredible community and has attracted some very high level coaches that teach gi, no-gi, competition, kids classes and Muay Thai.”
“The women's class is a true highlight and demonstrates how Thiago wants to make everyone feel safe to train and learn jiu jitsu.”
“Thiago has built an incredible community and has attracted some very high level coaches that teach gi, no-gi, competition, kids classes and Muay Thai.”
“There's no bro culture and no pushing people to compete, but just learn and challenge themselves in the best way for their own path.”
“Great Martial Arts School for anyone looking to learn self defense , brazilian jiujitsu, muay thai, or even anyone with work out / weight loss goals.”
“The skill level on the mats here are top notch, while still being safe for beginners to roll with and absorb from the experienced members, without fear of getting hurt.”
Other martial arts here
“Thiago has built an incredible community and has attracted some very high level coaches that teach gi, no-gi, competition, kids classes and Muay Thai.”
“If you're looking to study BJJ, Muay Thai, MMA or wrestling, you're going to be hard pressed to find a better spot.”
“If you're looking to study BJJ, Muay Thai, MMA or wrestling, you're going to be hard pressed to find a better spot.”
What members say
“Awesome atmosphere, great classes by some very knowledgeable instructors, which in turn seems to attract a really cool set of students.”
“The skill level on the mats here are top notch, while still being safe for beginners to roll with and absorb from the experienced members, without fear of getting hurt.”
“Professor Thiago and every instructor makes every new member feel welcomed and like family every time you walk into the door for a class.”
“TRA BJJ has a healthy mix of beginners and experienced players, with a focus on proper technique and safety while also catering to competition BJJ folks.”
“The kids program is also top notch and taught by experience competitors and educators.”
“TRA BJJ has a healthy mix of beginners and experienced players, with a focus on proper technique and safety while also catering to competition BJJ folks.”
From the reviews
I've trained at various martial arts schools for over a decade now and can say that none have compared to the overall quality of this academy. Thiago is the head professor and is both an incredibly skilled fighter and effective teacher of what he has learned.
Best place to train bjj in Jersey City! Thiago and the whole school are amazing. Come ready to work and learn, it’s a great atmosphere with tough rolls and great technique.
“Jiu Jitsu can be for anybody” is what head instructor Thiago always tells us, and TRA embodies that completely. You won’t find a more diverse and welcoming community anywhere else. We have people from all ages, skill levels, athletic backgrounds, careers, and everyone has a home here on the mat to learn and improve.
Best academy in the area. High level training, friendly staff and ultra clean and sanitized place. My daughter trains there on kids class and she loves it. Impressive on how just after a few months of self defense classes, her confidence is through the roof!!
New to BJJ? Start at TRA - Jiu Jitsu
TRA - 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.
Your first BJJ class at TRA - 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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