Home › North Carolina › Durham
BJJ Classes in Durham, NC
Durham has 7 BJJ gyms — including 3 with a free trial, 4 beginner-friendly, and 4 with kids' classes. Every listing is ranked by what members say (Google rating weighted by review count) and shows live open-now hours and the classes each gym runs, so you can find your academy and book your first class. All levels welcome — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start.
Cageside & Toro BJJ Fight Shop
4.9 ★★★★★ 157 reviews
Sports store carrying martial arts equipment and apparel including gloves, kimonos, shorts and gis.
Triangle Jiu Jitsu Academy
5 ★★★★★ 114 reviews
Bull City Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 89 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
GRACIE DURHAM
4.9 ★★★★★ 46 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
Tawheed Jiu-Jitsu Academy
5 ★★★★★ 42 reviews
Saunders Brazilian Jiujitsu
3.8 ★★★★☆ 4 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
Good to know in Durham
2 of the 7 gyms with posted hours are open on Sundays.
For a recognized affiliation or lineage (think Gracie Barra, 10th Planet, Renzo Gracie, Alliance), members point to Triangle Jiu Jitsu Academy, Bull City Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and GRACIE DURHAM.
Looking for a women's class or a welcoming room to start in? GRACIE DURHAM runs women's BJJ.
Plan your first class
These gyms offer a free trial, free first class, or intro offer — the low-risk way to try BJJ before you commit. Check each gym's schedule for the current offer.
- Bull City Brazilian Jiu Jitsu ★★★★★ 5 (89)
- GRACIE DURHAM ★★★★★ 4.9 (46)
- Saunders Brazilian Jiujitsu ★★★★☆ 3.8 (4)
New to BJJ?
These gyms are called out by members as welcoming to beginners — go at your own pace, ask questions, and know that rolling builds up slowly and tapping keeps it safe. Everyone in the room started with a first class.
- Triangle Jiu Jitsu Academy ★★★★★ 5 (114)
- Bull City Brazilian Jiu Jitsu ★★★★★ 5 (89)
- GRACIE DURHAM ★★★★★ 4.9 (46)
Kids & teen BJJ in Durham
These gyms run kids' or youth classes — supervised, confidence-building, and focused on discipline and self-defense. Check each gym's schedule for age groups and times.
- Triangle Jiu Jitsu Academy ★★★★★ 5 (114)
- Bull City Brazilian Jiu Jitsu ★★★★★ 5 (89)
- GRACIE DURHAM ★★★★★ 4.9 (46)
BJJ in Durham: quick answers
- How much does BJJ cost a month in Durham?
- Most Durham gyms don't post prices online. BJJ is usually sold as a monthly membership, and rates vary by academy. Many offer a free or discounted first class, so you can visit before you commit — see our cost guide for typical price ranges.
- Do any Durham gyms offer a free trial or free first class?
- Yes — 3 of the 7 gyms in Durham advertise a free trial, free first class, or intro offer, including Bull City Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, GRACIE DURHAM, Saunders Brazilian Jiujitsu. Offers change, so confirm on the gym's site before you go.
- I'm a total beginner — can I start BJJ in Durham?
- Yes. BJJ welcomes complete beginners, and you don't need to be fit or have any experience first — the training gets you in shape. 4 Durham gyms are highlighted by members as beginner-friendly. Rolling (live sparring) builds up slowly, a good gym never pressures newcomers, and tapping keeps every roll safe — just leave your ego at the door.
- Are there kids' BJJ classes in Durham?
- Yes — 4 Durham gyms run kids' or youth BJJ, with some classes starting as young as age 3. Youth programs focus on confidence, discipline, and fun in a supervised setting; check each gym's schedule for age groups and times.