HomeNorth CarolinaHickory › True Jiu-Jitsu and Fitness

True Jiu-Jitsu and Fitness

5 ★★★★★ 23 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Hickory, North Carolina

BJJ gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons No-gi Competition team New

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 4–12) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • 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
  • 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 truebjj.academy — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (828) 612-2695

Hours

Monday 6 AM–6:30 PM
Tuesday 6 AM–6:30 PM
Wednesday 6 AM–6:30 PM
Thursday 6 AM–6:30 PM
Friday 10 AM–12:30 PM
Saturday 9 AM–12 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 True Jiu-Jitsu and Fitness, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

👤 Private Lessons

“True Jiujitsu and Fitness is an amazing martial arts academy and personal training gym.”

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🛡️ Self-Defense

“Whether you’re looking to get in shape, learn self-defense, or be part of a positive community, this is the place to be.”

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🌱 Beginners 2 mentions

“True Jiu-Jitsu and Fitness offers a welcoming environment and experienced trainers who effectively support all levels of fitness.”

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What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 23 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 5 mentions

“The staff are excellent instructors, very patient and family oriented.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 7 mentions

“True Jiu-Jitsu and Fitness offers a welcoming environment and experienced trainers who effectively support all levels of fitness.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 8 mentions

“True Jiu-Jitsu and Fitness offers a welcoming environment and experienced trainers who effectively support all levels of fitness.”

🧼 clean, well-kept mats 9 mentions

“Daniel has really done a fantastic job setting the place up, looks great, clean, and great vibes!”

From the reviews

Exceptionally clean facility with high quality mats. The instructors are all top notch! Highly recommend!

★★★★★ — Courtney, May 2026

We’ve had an amazing experience at True Jiu-Jitsu & Fitness! The instructors are knowledgeable, patient, and truly care about every student’s growth—both on and off the mat. The environment is welcoming, supportive, and great for all ages and skill levels.

★★★★★ — Moe, May 2026

True Jiujitsu and Fitness is an amazing martial arts academy and personal training gym. The staff are excellent instructors, very patient and family oriented. Daniel Fredell is an extremely knowledgeable black belt instructor as well as a personal trainer. The facility is very clean as well. I love training there.

★★★★★ — George, May 2026

Everything about True Jiu-jitsu is amazing! They have a beautiful, open, clean mat space to train on. With no shortage of great instructors to help you learn. Whether you are new and just getting started or have been grappling for years Daniel and everyone at True provide a welcoming and relaxed environment that makes…

★★★★★ — Matt, May 2026

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 23 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at True Jiu-Jitsu and Fitness

True Jiu-Jitsu and Fitness 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.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first BJJ class at True Jiu-Jitsu and 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 True Jiu-Jitsu and Fitness

735 13th Ave Dr SE, Hickory, NC28602

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.