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Universal Jiu Jitsu

5 ★★★★★ 41 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Camas, Washington

BJJ gym Beginners welcome Kids & teens 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
  • Kids & youth classes kids and youth BJJ classes — 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
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule universaljj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (360) 347-6171

Hours

Monday 6 AM–7:30 PM
Tuesday 6:30 AM–8:30 PM
Wednesday 6 AM–7:30 PM
Thursday 6:30 AM–8:30 PM
Friday 6 AM–2 PM
Saturday 6:30–11:30 AM
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 Universal Jiu Jitsu, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 13 mentions

“The number of months it took my son to go from a white to 50/50 belt in jujitsu helped teach him patience and perseverance - both qualities that are developing in young boys.”

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Teens BJJ

“I trained here for a few years back in my high school days and hope to come back and train soon.”

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👤 Private Lessons

“U do get some one on one attention time with the instructors.”

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🛡️ Self-Defense 3 mentions

“Soon my kids will be old enough to train self defense and jiu jitsu and I will definitely be bringing them here.”

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🌱 Beginners 2 mentions

“Whether you are beginner or advanced, young or older, in shape or not, you will find other students matching your level to roll with in a safe and friendly environment.”

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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 Universal Jiu Jitsu — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🏟️ MMA 4 mentions

“A great place for kids and adults looking for MMA and Jiu Jitsu.”

Other gyms that also teach mma →

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 41 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 3 mentions

“Professor Locke is a great guy and even better instructor.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 4 mentions

“Whether you are beginner or advanced, young or older, in shape or not, you will find other students matching your level to roll with in a safe and friendly environment.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 14 mentions

“The gym always smells clean and everyone is friendly and supportive and help each student better themselves and their capabilities.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 2 mentions

“A great atmosphere, and a great sense of family, the training and techniques are top notch.”

🧼 clean, well-kept mats 4 mentions

“The gym always smells clean and everyone is friendly and supportive and help each student better themselves and their capabilities.”

From the reviews

My 8-year old has been attending Universal for about a year. I really appreciate Mel's philosophy on earning new belts. The number of months it took my son to go from a white to 50/50 belt in jujitsu helped teach him patience and perseverance - both qualities that are developing in young boys.

★★★★★ — Christy, Jun 2017

My son has been going here for over a year and it’s one of the best things we’ve ever done for him. He is nine years old now and it has totally helped shape him into a confident independent kid. Mel is amazing with the kids, I’m always smiling and laughing at the games he plays with them.

★★★★★ — Tyson, Jul 2024

I visit this gym when I'm home from college on vacations. Mel is always very welcoming. He's good trainer and fun to roll with. The facilities are spacious and clean. There are a lot of skilled people to roll with. Highly recommended!

★★★★★ — Danny, Jun 2018

I’m a husband, a father, an entrepreneur, and in desperate need to change things up due to the daily stress I deal with. I’ve always been fascinated with jiu jitsu, but never took the plunge to learn & train. I’m proud to provide a 5 star review of Universal MMA.

★★★★★ — Claud, May 2021

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 41 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Universal Jiu Jitsu

Universal 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.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first BJJ class at Universal 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.

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 Universal Jiu Jitsu

217 NE 4th Ave, Camas, WA98607

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.