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Vanguard Defense
5 ★★★★★ 16 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Hot Springs, Arkansas
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
- 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 vanguarddefensear.wixsite.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 501-991-4849
Hours
| Monday | 5–9:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 5–9:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 5–9:30 pm |
| Thursday | 5–9:30 pm |
| Friday | 5–9:30 pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“She even tried to arrange for some of the other kids to be there so our daughter would have training partners.”
“The instruction is top-notch and the community feels welcoming for all levels.”
Other martial arts here
“If you're in Hot Springs looking fir a school to try out BJJ or kickboxing this is the place.”
What members say
“Excellent environment, great coaching and useful training!”
“The instruction is top-notch and the community feels welcoming for all levels.”
“The instruction is top-notch and the community feels welcoming for all levels.”
“They are incredible teachers - taking time to ensure you know the fundamentals and movements and are always ready for questions.”
From the reviews
If you’re visiting Hot Springs and looking for a place to train, I can’t recommend Vanguard Jiu Jitsu enough. While we were on vacation, my husband took our daughter to a class, and it ended up being an incredible experience. Vanguard was the only gym in town that welcomed them to drop in and train.
I absolutely love training at Vanguard Defense. I was so nervous to train, but from the beginning I felt safe with everyone. They are incredible teachers - taking time to ensure you know the fundamentals and movements and are always ready for questions.
I stopped by during a conference trip to get a few rounds in. The instructors and students were incredibly warm and welcoming! They have solid jiu-jitsu skills and good instruction. If you’re living in hot springs, or just passing through, you should definitely pay them a visit!
This place is something special and the people are welcoming. You will gain confidence under the instruction of Felix and Chad that you can overcome any obstacles put before you. If you're in Hot Springs looking fir a school to try out BJJ or kickboxing this is the place.
New to BJJ? Start at Vanguard Defense
Vanguard Defense 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 Defense
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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