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best jiu jitsu in phoenix arizona

The 10 Best Jiu Jitsu Gyms in the Phoenix Area

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Regular physical activity is crucial to improving muscle strength and endurance and ensuring your cardiovascular system functions optimally. But all these won’t suffice in times of trouble. Jiu-Jitsu is an ancient martial art practice that combines fitness with self-defense. The common ones include Japanese and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu involves getting your opponent to the ground without causing them harm. If you need a place to learn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Phoenix, below are the top 10 best BJJ gyms in the Phoenix area. 

Check out this post for some tips on surviving your first BJJ class.

The MMA LAB 

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The MMA lab in Arizona is open to people of all ages and skill levels. Founded in 2007, the gym offers various curated programs for adults and youths, such as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, women’s-only Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, youth Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, kickboxing, strength & conditioning, and private lessons. The facilities in the gym include three training rooms that are fully equipped with full-sized octagon and zebra mats, punching bags, a boxing ring, and uppercut bags. There is also a weight room and childcare room for kids. 

To provide a conducive training environment for parents with kids, MMA lab has CPR/AED-certified attendants that keep your kids busy. There are also 21 coaches and training staff, each with areas of specialization and delivery. MMA lab offers free classes in all their training categories. Therefore, you can sign up for their free trial while deciding whether it is for you.  

Strong Heart Academy Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & MMA 

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The Strong Heart Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy is another BJJ destination you should check out in Phoenix. Unlike most, they offer onsite and online training; hence, distance cannot be a barrier to enrolling. The academy started in 2009 and currently offers classes on mixed martial arts and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for adults and kids starting at eight years. Adult martial arts and BJJ provided by the academy target losing weight, learning self-defense, and forming connections with friends. 

Strong Heart has four Jiu-Jitsu classes for kids to learn better within their age group. They include 4-5, 6-7, 8-12, and 13-16. BJJ2GO provides the online training offered by the academy, and you can check out their curriculum online and enroll for free trials before paying. 

12th Street Jiu-Jitsu 

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12th street Jiu-Jitsu serves the north Phoenix, Deer Valley, Metro Phoenix, and Moon Valley areas of Arizona. The academy has a training space of over 400 square feet of wall-to-wall padded mats for plenty of Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling, training, and sparring. They also have a weight training room, restrooms, lockers, and a lounge area with TVs for convenience. More importantly, though, 12th street offers adult Jiu-Jitsu and No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu in Phoenix for adults and kids. 

No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu offered by the gym is fundamentally the same as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. However, there is no material to grip. Instead, the BJJ uniform provides the grip, and takedowns mimic Olympic-style wrestling. Apart from Jiu-Jitsu, you can enroll in boxing, MMA, judo, and striking classes. Plus, you can enjoy one free class before paying. 

One Love Grappling Arts 

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One Love Grappling Arts is another top self-improvement, fitness, and fun destination to learn Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Phoenix. The academy has been teaching BJJ to Phoenix residents for over 12 years. Therefore, it is one of the few Jiu-Jitsu academies that have stuck around for a while. 

One Love Grappling Arts holds introductory Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes for teenagers aged 15 years and above. This is a unique six-week program for introducing beginners to the fundamentals of BJJ. After this, they can enroll in the adult program, featuring submission grappling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling, and kickboxing. Kids ages seven to 14 can also participate in these classes four days a week. 

Gracie Arizona Jiu-Jitsu Academy 

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Gracie Arizona Jiu-Jitsu Academy is one of Phoenix’s most popular BJJ academies. True to their reputation, they offer Gracie Jiu-Jitsu — a type of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu that focuses on grappling and ground fighting techniques. The style was developed by Helio Grace in the 1900s and is used today to allow a person to defend themselves against a more extensive and stronger adversary using leverage and timing. 

The academy has 23 BJJ instructors. Classes are also split into various sections to help accelerate learning. They include beginners, fundamentals, mixed, advanced, competition, judo, women’s, no-gi, self-defense, and mighty mites for kids. If you don’t want to attend a public class, you can request a private virtual lesson and still enjoy the same content as physically present people. Some facilities offered by the academy include 3700 square feet of mat space, men’s and women’s locker rooms, a fully-loaded pro shop, and a seating area for family members. 

Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Phoenix 

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Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in Phoenix is open to people looking to build physical, mental, and emotional confidence. Their unique 10-day free trial allows you to participate in their classes for two training weeks. If you’re satisfied with their lessons, you can then enroll. 

Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is the only Gracie University-certified training center in Phoenix. They offer classes for beginners, kids, and advanced students looking to learn the 36 core techniques of Jiu-Jitsu in a fun, safe, and competitive environment. Besides offering BJJ and self-defense classes, the academy holds groups and seminars students can join in building their emotional and mental confidence. 

Gracie Barra Arcadia Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Self Defense

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Gracie Barra Schools is a community of Jiu-Jitsu instructors, students, and athletes worldwide. As a result, the organization has extensions in six continents and over 700 schools. The school is a legacy that has thrived over the last 30 years, and its Phoenix location is no exception. They offer advanced Jiu-Jitsu, a black belt program, a women’s program, private training, seminars, and fundamentals training. 

Gracie Barra teaches Jiu-Jitsu in a fun and exciting way. All classes also follow a standardized curriculum and class structure, and students can be part of a community involving their family members. Interestingly, when you join a Gracie Barra school, you can train at any of their 700 locations while traveling. Fun, right? Check them out today. 

Mayko & Karen Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu 

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Mayko & Karen Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu facility is one of the highest-quality in Phoenix. The center is open to men, women, and kids who want to prepare for competition, build confidence, and lose weight. Participants can also ask for a customized training program that matches their goals. 

Makyo’s BJJ class for kids is about helping them cultivate strong values and establish lifelong physical fitness habits. However, adult classes are more intense and target self-defense skills, muscle building, and weight loss. When you enroll, you will learn submission skills from any position, strong chokes, holds, and locks, grappling strategies, and powerful throws and takedowns. 

Refuge BJJ 

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Refuge BJJ is where anyone in Phoenix can train and participate in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The facility is open for competition classes, youths, adults, teenagers, and kids. It features 6000 and 2700 square feet of mat space, one private shower, three bathrooms, two changing rooms, free wifi, and a comfortable viewing area for families and students. 

Refuge BJJ classes are in categories to suit different needs. They include introductory courses for students ages 4 to 6, youths ages 7 to 12, and adult teens. In these classes, you will learn fundamental and advanced techniques applicable to competition, self-defense, and live sparring. The center also offers fast-paced competition classes for avid athletes looking to prepare mentally and physically for competition. Visit today for a one-week free trial on the house. 

UFC GYM Ahwatukee 

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UFC GYM Ahwatukee wraps our list of the best BJJ gyms in the Phoenix area to visit. Enroll and join a supportive community of MMA-inspired Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighters and unlock your potential and fighting performance. 

The UFC gym features a recovery, youth, and personal training gym. You can also enjoy indoor turf, free weights, a mat area, a bag rack, and essential weight and cardio equipment. The gym’s recovery program includes pre and post-workout treatments to help athletes recover from injuries, including cryotherapy, compression massage therapy, and percussion massage therapy. Students who want private lessons can request a coach, personal trainer, or partner. You can also choose from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Gi, kickboxing, HIIT, and boxing conditioning classes. Students can enroll in a virtual class and access training videos wherever and whenever. 

Final Thoughts

You can learn BJJ yourself or from anywhere. However, the best place to learn Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in phoenix is under a coach and in a supervised environment with state-of-the-art amenities and equipment. This way, you will reduce the risk of accidents, master the art, and join a community of like minds. If you’re in Phoenix, check out the top places we have listed above and get a head start in your Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Journey.