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Ybor City Jiu-Jitsu Club

5 ★★★★★ 92 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Tampa, Florida

BJJ gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens

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
  • Open mat open-mat rolling sessions for members to practice live — always optional and at your own pace
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule m.facebook.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (813) 810-5171

Hours

Monday 6–8 AM, 6–8 PM
Tuesday 6–8 AM, 10:30 AM–12:30 PM, 6–8 PM
Wednesday 6–8 AM, 10:30 AM–12:30 PM, 6–8 PM
Thursday 6–8 AM, 10:30 AM–12:30 PM, 6–8 PM
Friday 6–8 AM, 10:30 AM–12:30 PM, 6–8 PM
Saturday 8–11 AM
Sunday 12–2 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 Ybor City Jiu-Jitsu Club, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 2 mentions

“I was able to able to find Ybor City Jiu-Ybor City Jiu-Jitsu Club, and let me tell you this the hospitality they showed the kid was nothing short of amazing.”

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🔓 Open Mat 3 mentions

“Every Sunday, the Ybor City open mat offers a fantastic jiu-jitsu experience, perfect for making friends and practice skills.”

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🛡️ Self-Defense

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🌱 Beginners 4 mentions

“The atmosphere is welcoming to all skill levels, fostering a great mix of learning and friendly competition.”

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What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 92 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 3 mentions

“John and Joey are great instructors and all the higher level belts are interested in seeing you improve as training partners.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 15 mentions

“I was fortunate to stop in while I was in town for work and the instructors and students were incredibly welcoming to me and helped me prepare for an upcoming competition.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 17 mentions

“I was fortunate to stop in while I was in town for work and the instructors and students were incredibly welcoming to me and helped me prepare for an upcoming competition.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 3 mentions

“The guys/gals at the gym were super friendly, the rolls were toughhhhh, and the instruction was top tier and detailed.”

active competition team 2 mentions

“I was fortunate to stop in while I was in town for work and the instructors and students were incredibly welcoming to me and helped me prepare for an upcoming competition.”

🧼 clean, well-kept mats 6 mentions

“They take health, safety, and hygiene seriously.”

From the reviews

Super welcoming gym with the most real feel I've gotten on the road. Finally got to check off Florida on this trip to Tampa and YCJJC is among the best places I've dropped in to train out. Five countries and twenty-five states now.

★★★★★ — Daniel, Mar 2024

I was able to able to find Ybor City Jiu-Ybor City Jiu-Jitsu Club, and let me tell you this the hospitality they showed the kid was nothing short of amazing. The guys/gals at the gym were super friendly, the rolls were toughhhhh, and the instruction was top tier and detailed.

★★★★★ — Rob, Jun 2024

Had my first trial class last night (I am visiting schools to see which one is the best fit). The facility is very clean, loved the small class size for more individual instruction, the instructor was very welcoming and engaging, always made sure I had something to work on and gave me exercises that are a fit for me…

★★★★★ — Yun, Jan 2023

Love it! John and Joey are great instructors and all the higher level belts are interested in seeing you improve as training partners. I've managed a BJJ gym in the past and have trained at many different facilities, this place is top notch!

★★★★★ — Alexander, Feb 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 92 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Ybor City Jiu-Jitsu Club

Ybor City Jiu-Jitsu Club 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 Ybor City Jiu-Jitsu Club

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 Ybor City Jiu-Jitsu Club

718 E Henderson Ave, Tampa, FL33602

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.