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Vanguard Academy Jiu Jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 137 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Lake Grove, New York
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 3–17) — 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 vanguardjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (631) 615-2974
Hours
| Monday | 6 AM–8:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 10:30 AM–9:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 6 AM–8:30 PM |
| Thursday | 10:30 AM–9:30 PM |
| Friday | 6 AM–7 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM–11:30 PM |
| Sunday | 9 AM–12 PM |
The classes they run
“My son and niece love Ji Jitsu, and I love that it helps them spend time together and socialize with other children learning discipline and self defense.”
“Whether you’re a hobbyist or striving to be a full-time jiu jitsu competitor, Vanguard has the community and tools that you need to produce the results you’re looking for.”
“My son and niece love Ji Jitsu, and I love that it helps them spend time together and socialize with other children learning discipline and self defense.”
“Whether you’re brand new or experienced, everyone supports and uplifts each other.”
Other martial arts here
“I’ve been a student at Vanguard Academy in Lake Grove since June of 2025, training in both jiu jitsu and kickboxing.”
What members say
“Nick Ronan is an excellent instructor, especially for beginners!”
“I have seen other JiuJitsu gyms out there , but nothing compares to the welcoming, family-like atmosphere here.”
“My family (including me) train there and we are very happy for all the knowledge acquired and especially the patience of the coaches.”
“The coaches are incredibly knowledgeable and patient, and they take the time to help you understand techniques no matter what belt level you are.”
“My son and niece love Ji Jitsu, and I love that it helps them spend time together and socialize with other children learning discipline and self defense.”
“Whether you’re a hobbyist or striving to be a full-time jiu jitsu competitor, Vanguard has the community and tools that you need to produce the results you’re looking for.”
From the reviews
Been training on and off since I’m 15, and vanguard by far runs one of if not the best program I’ve been to in all of my years on the mats. Coaching is excellent accompanied by an amazing schedule to fit everyone’s needs for training times through out the entire day.
Came out from the city to train. The coaching staff and team are all super friendly and the academy is very clean and well laid out. I visited most of the top places in NYC but Vanguard was by far my favorite for every reason: Cleanliness, vibe, gym layout, coaching, class format and quality.
As someone who’s trained for multiple years and has visited many different jiu-jitsu academies, I can confidently say that Vanguard is the best of the best. My game has improved dramatically over the past two years that I’ve trained here.
"I've been training at Vanguard Academy for 10 months and it's been an incredible journey. The coaches are top-notch, and the training is tailored to all levels. The atmosphere is always positive and motivating. I've made some amazing friends and couldn't be happier with my decision to join.
New to BJJ? Start at Vanguard Academy Jiu Jitsu
Vanguard Academy 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 Vanguard Academy 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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