HomeNorth CarolinaMonroe › Zen Jiu-Jitsu & Fitness

Zen Jiu-Jitsu & Fitness

5 ★★★★★ 20 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Monroe, North Carolina

BJJ gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons 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
  • 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
  • Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule zenjiujitsucharlotte.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 704-218-8322

Hours

Monday 5:30–8:30 pm
Tuesday 5:30–8:30 pm
Wednesday 5:30–8:30 pm
Thursday 5:30–8:30 pm
Friday 5:30–8:30 pm
Saturday 12–3:30 pm
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 Zen Jiu-Jitsu & Fitness, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 2 mentions

“My son has been going here for years and him and his teammates consistently win tournaments against higher ranked and larger opponents.”

All gyms that run kids bjj →

🏆 Competition Team

“My son has been going here for years and him and his teammates consistently win tournaments against higher ranked and larger opponents.”

All gyms that run competition team →

🌱 Beginners 3 mentions

“Humble and outstanding attitude towards all levels of experience!”

All gyms that run beginners →

Other martial arts here

BJJ gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at Zen Jiu-Jitsu & Fitness — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🥊 Boxing

“I took boxing and Jiu Jitsu classes it was awesome.”

Other gyms that also teach boxing →

🦵 Kickboxing

“I started with kickboxing and just recently started JJ and it has been amazing!”

Other gyms that also teach kickboxing →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the gym's own info — they show what members have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want MMA, muay thai, or wrestling alongside your BJJ, confirm the current schedule with the gym.

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 20 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 7 mentions

“George is a great Jiu Jitsu instructor, as well as extremely knowledgeable in all striking skills.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 5 mentions

“Humble and outstanding attitude towards all levels of experience!”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 6 mentions

“I also recently started going personally to his Women’s only jujitsu and he has provided a safe and supportive environment.”

💗 welcoming to women 2 mentions

“I also recently started going personally to his Women’s only jujitsu and he has provided a safe and supportive environment.”

🧠 builds confidence & discipline 3 mentions

“5 years old and now almost 2 years later I can see a huge improvement not just in the physical aspect but as well as his confidence.”

From the reviews

Best place to train in Charlotte! Positive atmosphere and people. The training and investment from Coach George is top notch. He truly cares about his students and it shows both on and off the mat. I started with kickboxing and just recently started JJ and it has been amazing!

★★★★★ — Nichole, Jan 2020

You won’t be disappointed by coming here. I started with my youngest going here at 6.5 years old and now almost 2 years later I can see a huge improvement not just in the physical aspect but as well as his confidence.

★★★★★ — Mayra, Jan 2025

George is a great Jiu Jitsu instructor, as well as extremely knowledgeable in all striking skills. My son has been going here for years and him and his teammates consistently win tournaments against higher ranked and larger opponents. Drillers make killers!

★★★★★ — Larry, Sep 2021

World class mma gym!!! Great instructor. Very friendly, knowledgeable welcoming. If you beginner or advanced right place to start. I took boxing and Jiu Jitsu classes it was awesome.

★★★★★ — Zen, Sep 2016

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 20 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Zen Jiu-Jitsu & Fitness

Zen Jiu-Jitsu & Fitness 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 Zen Jiu-Jitsu & Fitness

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 Zen Jiu-Jitsu & Fitness

4612 W Hwy 74 E, Monroe, NC28110

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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.