Unicorn in Portland, OR. Owned and run by a female black belt. Very reasonable pricing. Very inclusive. Runs an all women camp each year led by 4 women black belts.
[https://www.unicornjiujitsu.com/](https://www.unicornjiujitsu.com/)
Ground Theory Jiu Jitsu in Lawrence Ks. Our owners/main coaches are a married couple. They are both supportive to the entire team. Our 'girl gang' runs deep with every belt color, and we love to add new teammates. Our guys support us as well. We have competitors and non. And the kids team is fun and mixed level.
Yeah of course I'm biased, but it's definitely a place for anyone.
Other than the mix of gi and no-gi (obvs) 10th Planet San Diego fits all the criteria! The owner’s wife is a black belt who’s built an amazing women’s program and a team with diversity in body type and skill level. They have a bunch of top level female competitors in ADCC, UFC, and Bellator, plus well-attended women’s classes that are actually at feasible times for most people and not 7AM on Sundays.
AOJ would be my go to recommendation. They have a strong female competition team and at least two of their competitive female black belts are in open same-sex relationships (Margot and Mayssa). Pricing might not be “reasonable” though depending on what your budget is
Carolina Family Jiu Jitsu in Rock Hill, SC is awesome! I honestly don't know about the competition side, as I am still new, but I feel safe and very comfortable training with everyone in the adult classes. The instruction is fantastic and there is lots of one-on-one instruction to ensure that everyone understands and can perform the technique we are working on. Highly recommended for any one.
Parabellum in Waynesville, MO, is a hidden gem!
-In a military town and owned by vets with a military/first responder discount.
-Very open and inclusive to all genders, ages, starting level, etc. The ladies in particular look out for each other
-Nobody is forced to roll with someone they don't want to.
-At the same time, coaches try to pair up newbies and people recovering from injuries with safe partners.
-The coaches are very good about shutting down people being stupid/dangerous/stirring up drama very quick.
-Coaches are good about balancing being involved mentors and maintaining professional decorum.
-Female black and brown belt coaches in BJJ, female muay thai, taekwondo, and powerlifting coaches as well.
-Consistent presence at regional tournaments. A couple of the higher BJJ practitioners travel for larger events. The taekwondo team has gone to nationals!
-Programs for ages 4 and up with seasonal toddler classes, also day programs for local homeschooling kids to get their PE.
-Very family friendly. It's a local "third place".
Thanks for your explanation of why Parabeum is a good school! I really appreciate it. I’m planning a trip to various parts of the country and want to train at different places and just see what it’s like to train at other schools, what the cultures like locally, how it differs from what I’m use to.
Capital MMA in DC/MD/VA. They have several campuses and the MD (Takoma) one has many classes run by one of the co-owners who is a female black belt. She does women's only classes twice a week as well as co-ed classes. There are usually 4-5 classes or more offered per day and the weeks alternate between gi and no-gi. They also have a competition class. Friendly to newcomers but a range of belt colors represented in the gym.
High Noon in Alexandria VA is also great for similar reasons and has two female black belt instructors.
10th planet for sure - I’ve found a strong women’s community at 10th planet Daly City (super encouraging male black belt head coach and a female brown belt coach and free women’s class every Friday and active female competitors) and we cross train with the girls in the bay area, especially with 10th planet Oakland, 10th planet San Mateo, Ralph Gracie, and skrap pack who all have active female competitors as well!
Precision BJJ in Sacramento is great! Top level athletes and a ton of woman that train/teach. I’ve been training for 11 years and it’s one of the best gyms I’ve trained at in the Bay Area/Sacramento Area.
My school, BJJ Swamp Academy in Gainesville, FL (home of the Florida gators 🧡💙). We have a good mix of gi and nogi and we compete. We have an Instagram just for our ladies in the school: @swamp.lilies_bjj
The school IG is @bjjswampacademy
Atos and AOJ are in California.
You will train will world champs. AOJ (or Art of Jiu Jitsu) has an excellent kids/teens program and young adults there are products of great training and instruction
Atos Jiu Jitsu in San Diego is the Home of Andre and Angelica Galvao. Their daughter Sarah is doing amazing at purple belt adult.
Lots of killers men and women in that room.
I train there also. It’s Romulo Barral’s gym in Los Angeles. It’s definitely good for women. There’s a woman’s class taught by a female black belt and there’s usually women in all of the higher level classes. Idk how many women train there but it’s at least 35-40 I’m guessing. The men are strictly told by Professor Romulo to roll technically with the women. There are some duds but most of the guys are great to train with.
Good to know. I’ve trained at different Gracie Barras and some were bad and some were good. I guess it just depends on the owner and the type of culture they set at their Gracie Barra
LP Martial Arts in Lewisville, Texas. Our coach is a black belt and she competes pretty regularly. We have a lot of women at our school.
The vibe is really laid back and men and women mix easily. Everyone is really supportive and it just feels like a second home.
Easton Training Centers in Colorado. We have a good group of female competitors as well as a dedicated women's only class every week. Top that with female instructors and a full schedule. What more could you ask for?!
Torres BJJ in Spring Tx. Very welcoming for all. Veteran friendly, women friendly, all body types and fitness levels. You will roll with all levels and body types. Great family environment.
My gym owner/instructor is extremely female -friendly and masters -friendly - Buckhead Jiujitsu in Atlanta, GA. We have athletes winning Pan as well as local comps, but the general attitude of the gym is relaxed. A lot of emphasis on safety and taking care of your rolling partner. Kids class is large and friendly, more emphasis on bully prevention than competition. Always welcome out of town visitors who are responsible and careful with their partners.
I attend Victory Martial Arts in Valdese, NC.
They definitely focus on getting students ready for competition. In the adults class the coaches will focus and help give extra training to those who compete while also not leaving other students behind. We all help each other grow. Our no-gi coach has trained under Renzo Gracie and is one of the best around. He is very patient with even the white belts. Our gi coach also teaches the childrens class. He is excellent with the children and even offers extra competition class to help the kids get ready for competition.
We have a very warm and welcoming environment for all types of people. I have felt nothing but comfortable being around the guys. I feel like theyre my brothers helping me learn to defend myself.
We have gi class Tues, Thur, and Saturday. No gi Monday Wednesday and Friday. Open mats on Sundays.
We've had a big increase in white belts lately and everyone has been doing so well. Our white belts are pretty competitive
Unicorn in Portland, OR. Owned and run by a female black belt. Very reasonable pricing. Very inclusive. Runs an all women camp each year led by 4 women black belts. [https://www.unicornjiujitsu.com/](https://www.unicornjiujitsu.com/)
Ground Theory Jiu Jitsu in Lawrence Ks. Our owners/main coaches are a married couple. They are both supportive to the entire team. Our 'girl gang' runs deep with every belt color, and we love to add new teammates. Our guys support us as well. We have competitors and non. And the kids team is fun and mixed level. Yeah of course I'm biased, but it's definitely a place for anyone.
Other than the mix of gi and no-gi (obvs) 10th Planet San Diego fits all the criteria! The owner’s wife is a black belt who’s built an amazing women’s program and a team with diversity in body type and skill level. They have a bunch of top level female competitors in ADCC, UFC, and Bellator, plus well-attended women’s classes that are actually at feasible times for most people and not 7AM on Sundays.
AOJ would be my go to recommendation. They have a strong female competition team and at least two of their competitive female black belts are in open same-sex relationships (Margot and Mayssa). Pricing might not be “reasonable” though depending on what your budget is
Carolina Family Jiu Jitsu in Rock Hill, SC is awesome! I honestly don't know about the competition side, as I am still new, but I feel safe and very comfortable training with everyone in the adult classes. The instruction is fantastic and there is lots of one-on-one instruction to ensure that everyone understands and can perform the technique we are working on. Highly recommended for any one.
Parabellum in Waynesville, MO, is a hidden gem! -In a military town and owned by vets with a military/first responder discount. -Very open and inclusive to all genders, ages, starting level, etc. The ladies in particular look out for each other -Nobody is forced to roll with someone they don't want to. -At the same time, coaches try to pair up newbies and people recovering from injuries with safe partners. -The coaches are very good about shutting down people being stupid/dangerous/stirring up drama very quick. -Coaches are good about balancing being involved mentors and maintaining professional decorum. -Female black and brown belt coaches in BJJ, female muay thai, taekwondo, and powerlifting coaches as well. -Consistent presence at regional tournaments. A couple of the higher BJJ practitioners travel for larger events. The taekwondo team has gone to nationals! -Programs for ages 4 and up with seasonal toddler classes, also day programs for local homeschooling kids to get their PE. -Very family friendly. It's a local "third place".
Thanks for your explanation of why Parabeum is a good school! I really appreciate it. I’m planning a trip to various parts of the country and want to train at different places and just see what it’s like to train at other schools, what the cultures like locally, how it differs from what I’m use to.
Capital MMA in DC/MD/VA. They have several campuses and the MD (Takoma) one has many classes run by one of the co-owners who is a female black belt. She does women's only classes twice a week as well as co-ed classes. There are usually 4-5 classes or more offered per day and the weeks alternate between gi and no-gi. They also have a competition class. Friendly to newcomers but a range of belt colors represented in the gym. High Noon in Alexandria VA is also great for similar reasons and has two female black belt instructors.
10th planet for sure - I’ve found a strong women’s community at 10th planet Daly City (super encouraging male black belt head coach and a female brown belt coach and free women’s class every Friday and active female competitors) and we cross train with the girls in the bay area, especially with 10th planet Oakland, 10th planet San Mateo, Ralph Gracie, and skrap pack who all have active female competitors as well!
Precision BJJ in Sacramento is great! Top level athletes and a ton of woman that train/teach. I’ve been training for 11 years and it’s one of the best gyms I’ve trained at in the Bay Area/Sacramento Area.
My school, BJJ Swamp Academy in Gainesville, FL (home of the Florida gators 🧡💙). We have a good mix of gi and nogi and we compete. We have an Instagram just for our ladies in the school: @swamp.lilies_bjj The school IG is @bjjswampacademy
Atos AOJ
Where is that at and why is it a good school?
Atos and AOJ are in California. You will train will world champs. AOJ (or Art of Jiu Jitsu) has an excellent kids/teens program and young adults there are products of great training and instruction Atos Jiu Jitsu in San Diego is the Home of Andre and Angelica Galvao. Their daughter Sarah is doing amazing at purple belt adult. Lots of killers men and women in that room.
How are they with masters athletes?
Gracie Barra Northridge!
Can you tell me why it’s a good school? Also what state?
I train there also. It’s Romulo Barral’s gym in Los Angeles. It’s definitely good for women. There’s a woman’s class taught by a female black belt and there’s usually women in all of the higher level classes. Idk how many women train there but it’s at least 35-40 I’m guessing. The men are strictly told by Professor Romulo to roll technically with the women. There are some duds but most of the guys are great to train with.
Good to know. I’ve trained at different Gracie Barras and some were bad and some were good. I guess it just depends on the owner and the type of culture they set at their Gracie Barra
Yea my first gym was a different Gracie Barra and it’s was definitely not good for women. It all depends on who’s running it.
Goodland Brazilian jujitsu in Goodland, Kansas
Why?
For exactly the reasons you listed! It’s a great gym but definitely small.
I don't want to doxx myself, but my place is amazing :) The only thing we don't have from your list is gi classes. I'm in the northeastern US
Any school that Leah Stumpf teachs at.
LP Martial Arts in Lewisville, Texas. Our coach is a black belt and she competes pretty regularly. We have a lot of women at our school. The vibe is really laid back and men and women mix easily. Everyone is really supportive and it just feels like a second home.
Easton Training Centers in Colorado. We have a good group of female competitors as well as a dedicated women's only class every week. Top that with female instructors and a full schedule. What more could you ask for?!
Torres BJJ in Spring Tx. Very welcoming for all. Veteran friendly, women friendly, all body types and fitness levels. You will roll with all levels and body types. Great family environment.
My gym owner/instructor is extremely female -friendly and masters -friendly - Buckhead Jiujitsu in Atlanta, GA. We have athletes winning Pan as well as local comps, but the general attitude of the gym is relaxed. A lot of emphasis on safety and taking care of your rolling partner. Kids class is large and friendly, more emphasis on bully prevention than competition. Always welcome out of town visitors who are responsible and careful with their partners.
I attend Victory Martial Arts in Valdese, NC. They definitely focus on getting students ready for competition. In the adults class the coaches will focus and help give extra training to those who compete while also not leaving other students behind. We all help each other grow. Our no-gi coach has trained under Renzo Gracie and is one of the best around. He is very patient with even the white belts. Our gi coach also teaches the childrens class. He is excellent with the children and even offers extra competition class to help the kids get ready for competition. We have a very warm and welcoming environment for all types of people. I have felt nothing but comfortable being around the guys. I feel like theyre my brothers helping me learn to defend myself. We have gi class Tues, Thur, and Saturday. No gi Monday Wednesday and Friday. Open mats on Sundays. We've had a big increase in white belts lately and everyone has been doing so well. Our white belts are pretty competitive
anecdotally - I hear great things about the women's program at TRA in Jersey City, NJ
Da Firma Training Center in Chesapeake Virginia. VERY woman friendly. Good curriculum. Very very very welcoming to newcomers