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Westside BJJ
4.9 ★★★★★ 88 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Little Rock, 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
- 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
- Website & schedule littlerockbjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (501) 448-2516
The classes they run
“I brought my son here several months ago and have been truly impressed by the facility and the Coach Bruno and the other instructors.”
“I also like being able to let him train both gi and no-gi classes in the same membership, as well as the month-by-month billing schedule.”
“I also like being able to let him train both gi and no-gi classes in the same membership, as well as the month-by-month billing schedule.”
“My son has learned a lot and at his first tournament, just 8 weeks after starting, he took 2nd place in his division.”
“As a brown belt, I appreciate how the instruction challenges me while still being accessible for all levels.”
Other martial arts here
What members say
“Bruno provides great instruction, is very knowledgeable, and sets a high standard for the students.”
“The mats are some of the cleanest I’ve ever seen, the environment is welcoming, and the people are genuinely nice.”
“If you’re looking for something that will challenge your mind and body in a supportive environment, I highly recommend you give it a try.”
“I’ve become obsessed with BJJ as an art form and the ultimate equalizer of technique vs size and strength.”
“Jiu jitsu isn't just about a bunch of sweaty guys rolling around on a mat, its also the community you gain from being part of a team.”
“My son loves time he spends here, makes him more confident and atletic.”
From the reviews
My son has been training at this gym since the day it opened, so I guess I should review the facility at this point. The staff is amazing, especially Bruno. My son has learned a lot and at his first tournament, just 8 weeks after starting, he took 2nd place in his division.
I've been coming to westside for well over a year now. When I tell people you will not find an experience like this anywhere else in life, I mean it. I played all different kinds of sports growing up, and excelled in a few of them.
Been training here for just over a year and could not be happier with the diversity of coaches and fellow practitioners. At 49 I was looking for a training program that would keep me coming back and moving in ways that would undo the damage from years of sedentary professional work.
I brought my son here several months ago and have been truly impressed by the facility and the Coach Bruno and the other instructors. The mats and gym are very clean and the coaches have been fantastic. My son quickly gained more physical conditioning and confidence, as well as greatly enjoying every class.
New to BJJ? Start at Westside BJJ
Westside BJJ 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 Westside BJJ
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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