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Triangle Jiu Jitsu Academy
5 ★★★★★ 114 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Durham, North Carolina
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
- Open mat open-mat rolling sessions for members to practice live — always optional and at your own pace
- Website & schedule trianglejiujitsu.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (919) 358-8323
The classes they run
“The instruction is detailed and clear, and I love that TJJ's fundamentals curriculum is self-defense-oriented.”
“My son has been training with Seth at TJJ for five years now.”
“I planned to join the 6pm and 7pm no gi classes, but I got stuck in traffic.”
“I planned to join the 6pm and 7pm no gi classes, but I got stuck in traffic.”
“Triangle Jiu-jitsu gives the absolute best all around experience in the area if you train mma, jiu jitsu, want to get in shape, self defense, or all around fitness.”
“Affordable pricing and a great beginner benefits seal the deal, and make this one of the best options in the triangle for training.”
Other martial arts here
“Triangle Jiu-jitsu gives the absolute best all around experience in the area if you train mma, jiu jitsu, want to get in shape, self defense, or all around fitness.”
“There’s also a wrestling class on Mondays, and Judo classes 2-3 days per week, both of which are awesome supplements to Jiu Jitsu.”
“There’s also a wrestling class on Mondays, and Judo classes 2-3 days per week, both of which are awesome supplements to Jiu Jitsu.”
What members say
“The head instructor,Seth is one of the best instructors i have ever had the privilege of learning from and I cannot wait until my next lesson.”
“I’ve been training grappling for 10+ years and have dropped into a ton of gyms, so I don’t say this lightly: Triangle Jiu-Jitsu is one of the most welcoming spots I’ve visited.”
“I’ve been training grappling for 10+ years and have dropped into a ton of gyms, so I don’t say this lightly: Triangle Jiu-Jitsu is one of the most welcoming spots I’ve visited.”
“His attention to detail and professionalism exceeded my expectations, ensuring peace of mind for future rainy days.”
“Jiu Jitsu has been proven to be one of the most effective martial arts on the planet and the lead instructor, Seth Shamp, is a Royce Gracie black belt in Gracie Jiu Jitsu.”
From the reviews
Triangle Jiu Jitsu has been one of the friendliest facilities I have ever been to. The instructors have been wonderfully patient with both beginners and veterans alike. The atmosphere here has been amazing with instruction, level of intensity, and most of all the people.
I love the Gi Fundamentals and Advanced Gi classes. I’m excited to start training some nogi this month as well. There’s also a wrestling class on Mondays, and Judo classes 2-3 days per week, both of which are awesome supplements to Jiu Jitsu.
High quality instruction in a positive setting that's perfect for beginners. The instructors really know what they're doing. The people who make up the community are great to train with. The friends I have brought to classes as guests have all loved their experience...
Most Jujitsu gyms with a judo program are just trying to tack on some extra fluff to charge you more. Triangle jujitsu is the opposite. With high level judo instruction that interplays perfectly with Jujitsu.
New to BJJ? Start at Triangle Jiu Jitsu Academy
Triangle Jiu Jitsu Academy 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 Triangle 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.
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