Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Leominster.
Gi jiu-jitsu for adults and teens 14+, taught by 5th- and 6th-degree black belts Gabriel Gonzaga and Luis Soto. Built for people who have never trained.
Who trains BJJ here
- Complete beginners. Most people who start jiu-jitsu have no martial arts background.
- Adults who want a hard workout that doesn't feel like the treadmill.
- Anyone who wants self-defense that works against a bigger, stronger person.
- Experienced grapplers who want black-belt coaching and a steady room to train in.
What a BJJ class looks like
Warm-up
Movement drills like bridging, shrimping and break-falls, the base for everything else.
Technique
A coach demonstrates a position, escape or submission and explains the details that make it work.
Drilling
You practice it with a partner at your size and level, slowly at first.
Live rounds
Controlled sparring, called rolling. Beginners start once they know the basics and how to stay safe.
Why people stay
- Self-defense for any size
- Jiu-jitsu uses leverage and position, so a smaller person can control a bigger one.
- A full-body workout
- Strength, flexibility, endurance and cardio in the same hour on the mat.
- Stress relief
- It's hard to think about work while you're solving a problem on the mat. Most people leave calmer than they came in.
- Goals you can see
- Stripes and belts mark your progress. Competing is there if you want it, never required.
World-level coaches. Local gym.
Gabriel Gonzaga
- 5th-degree black belt, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
- Judo black belt
- 2x World BJJ Champion
- Former UFC heavyweight title contender
- Multiple-time IBJJF Masters World Champion
Luis Soto
- 6th-degree black belt, Jiu-Jitsu
- 4th-degree black belt, Judo
- Judo National Champion, Masters
- 5th at the World Masters (Judo)
Your first class
Book online
Pick a program above. We text you to set a day and time.
Show up 10 minutes early
Wear athletic clothes with no zippers. We lend you a gi for BJJ.
Train with a coach
A coach walks you through the warm-up and the basics. No sparring on day one.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu questions
Do I need to know judo or jiu-jitsu first?
No. Beginner classes start from zero, and many of our students had no martial arts training before their first class.
What do I wear?
BJJ is trained in a gi, the two-piece uniform. For your first class wear athletic clothes with no zippers and we'll lend you a gi. A mouthguard is a good idea.
Do I have to spar as a beginner?
No. Beginners focus on basic techniques and safety first, then work up to controlled sparring in class.
Can BJJ help me lose weight?
It can, especially alongside a healthy diet. Jiu-jitsu is a full-body workout that burns calories and builds muscle.
Is the adult class right for a teenager?
Teens 14 and up train in the adult BJJ classes. Younger kids start in Kids Martial Arts (ages 4–13).
Read next: Your first BJJ class: what to wear and what to expect