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Vanguard Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

5 ★★★★★ 45 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Puyallup, Washington

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

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 — 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 vanguardbrazilianjiujitsu.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 253-391-5161

Hours

Monday 8–9 am, 4–8 pm
Tuesday 12–1 pm, 4–8 pm
Wednesday 8–9 am, 4–8 pm
Thursday 12–1 pm, 4–8 pm
Friday 4:30–7:30 pm
Saturday 11 am–1:30 pm
Sunday 11:30 am–2:30 pm

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 Vanguard Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 14 mentions

“He is also excellent at teaching kids, both from the standpoint of Jiu Jitsu and in terms of character development and a successful attitude for life.”

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💪 Women's BJJ

“The women’s only class has helped build my confidence and I’m ready to join another class.”

All gyms that run women's bjj →

🏆 Competition Team 3 mentions

“Katie is a fierce competitor and excellent coach who excels and creating a safe and welcoming environment for other women.”

All gyms that run competition team →

🌱 Beginners 3 mentions

“Sometimes the toughest thing to do is walk through the door for the first time, but you'll be glad you did.”

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What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 45 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 11 mentions

“After wanting to try BJJ for years, I attended a workshop with Coach Katie. She’s approachable, knowledgeable, and wildly inspirational.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 10 mentions

“My little one was hesitant to try jiujitsu but felt comfortable enough to try it after attending her first class with Katie and Brian.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 15 mentions

“After trying out other academies here in WA, I finally found a well family-oriented school where even my little one felt comfortable trying out.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 2 mentions

“Brian and Katie are incredibly talented grapplers with outstanding technique and world class instruction.”

active competition team 3 mentions

“Katie is a fierce competitor and excellent coach who excels and creating a safe and welcoming environment for other women.”

🧼 clean, well-kept mats 6 mentions

“Combining a beautiful, clean facility with excellent, well thought out instruction, Vanguard BJJ is a premier martial arts school.”

From the reviews

We came in a couple of weeks ago to try out the 3 day trial classes. Both of my boys 9 and 14 was hesitant initially, because they've never done it before. After the first class, they had so much fun! Both coach Brian and coach Katie are highly trained and are truly gifted instructors!

★★★★★ — Chanthy, Aug 2025

This gym is a top notch gym. I've been to many gyms in different places across America, and I know from experience this facility has top tier quality instructors. The facility itself is also awesome. It's clean, accommodating and the mats they have there are high quality and high build.

★★★★★ — Brett, Sep 2025

TL;DR: If you're looking for a great academy to start or continue your Jiu Jitsu journey this is the place!! I've been training with Vanguard BJJ's head instructor Katie Egan for going on a decade. She's always been a great instructor and role model, which her academy reflects.

★★★★★ — E, Sep 2025

This is the 3rd Jiu Jitsu school my family has been to and we ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!!! The facility is amazing. Bryan and Katie are true masters of their craft, and it's easy to see they have a passion for Jiu Jitsu. They are awesome with the kids too. So glad we found our new Jiu Jitsu home!

★★★★★ — Michael, Aug 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 45 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Vanguard Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Vanguard Brazilian 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.

See their beginner class info

Your first BJJ class at Vanguard Brazilian 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 Vanguard Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

16126 Meridian E, Puyallup, WA98375

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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.