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Vasconcellos Jiu Jitsu Academy

5 ★★★★★ 10 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Palatka, Florida

BJJ gym Beginners welcome Kids & teens

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
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule m.facebook.com — book classes and see the live schedule

Hours

Monday 5:30–8 pm
Tuesday 5–8 pm
Wednesday 5:30–8 pm
Thursday 5–8 pm
Friday 5–8:30 pm
Saturday 9–11 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 Vasconcellos Jiu Jitsu Academy, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 7 mentions

“Having the variety of men and woman training and growing kids class is amazing to see for this community.”

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🛡️ Self-Defense

“Whether you're interested in self-defense, competition, or bully- proofing for kids, VBJJ is the best in Putnam county hands down.”

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🌱 Beginners 2 mentions

“The coaches are knowledgeable, and the team is welcoming, making it a great place for both beginners and experienced practitioners.”

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What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 10 Google reviews — in their own words.

🌱 welcoming to beginners 5 mentions

“The coaches are knowledgeable, and the team is welcoming, making it a great place for both beginners and experienced practitioners.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 6 mentions

“The coaches are knowledgeable, and the team is welcoming, making it a great place for both beginners and experienced practitioners.”

From the reviews

The best jiu jitsu academy in the area. The class sizes are growing fast and would be amazing to have more locals be a part of the academy. Kids and adult classes are available. Whether you're interested in self-defense, competition, or bully- proofing for kids, VBJJ is the best in Putnam county hands down.

★★★★★ — Angel, Jan 2024

What a great school of training and acceptance. Whether you are just looking to lose a few pounds, have some fun through of the week, or find part to full time job; or all, this is certainly the certainly place. Having the variety of men and woman training and growing kids class is amazing to see for this community.

★★★★★ — D, Feb 2026

Vasconcellos BJJ is a top-notch academy with high-level instruction and a great training environment. The coaches are knowledgeable, and the team is welcoming, making it a great place for both beginners and experienced practitioners. Highly recommend!

★★★★★ — Brad, Mar 2025

Highly recommend as a parent. The staff is amazing with kids and actually physically engages them the whole class. Everyone is so kind. Really feels like a safe space. Also very fair pricing with up to 5 classes a week for one price.

★★★★★ — Wendi, Sep 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 10 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Vasconcellos Jiu Jitsu Academy

Vasconcellos Jiu Jitsu Academy 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 Vasconcellos Jiu Jitsu Academy

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. 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 Vasconcellos Jiu Jitsu Academy

3204 Crill Ave, Palatka, FL32177

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.