Where can I find BJJ near me?

Bayside Jiu Jitsu offers Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training in 312 Highway 98 Eastpoint. Located at 312 Highway 98 Eastpoint, FL 32328, it's a convenient option for anyone searching for 'BJJ near me' in the FL area.

What BJJ classes does Bayside Jiu Jitsu offer?

Bayside Jiu Jitsu offers bjj, no-gi classes for all skill levels from beginners to advanced practitioners.

Where is Bayside Jiu Jitsu located?

Bayside Jiu Jitsu is located at 312 Highway 98 Eastpoint, FL 32328 in 312 Highway 98 Eastpoint.

Who are the instructors at Bayside Jiu Jitsu?

The instructors at Bayside Jiu Jitsu include Matt Lee, Josh Norman, River Banks.

Bayside Jiu Jitsu | 312 Highway 98 Eastpoint BJJ Gym

🥋 How to Choose the Right BJJ Gym: FAQ for Beginners

✅ 1. How far is the gym from you?

The number one factor is distance. If your gym is more than 45–60 minutes away from your home or work, chances are you'll struggle to train consistently.

To improve at Jiu-Jitsu, consistency is everything — and convenience makes consistency possible.

Don't overestimate your willingness to commute — pick something you can stick to long term.

✅ 2. Is the gym's online presence up to date and transparent?

A professional gym usually has an active website and Instagram page.

Look for:

Regular updates on social media
Instructor names, bios, and credentials clearly listed
A detailed class schedule (not just vague times like "evenings")
Google Reviews matter: More reviews and high ratings generally reflect a well-run gym

A lack of online information or no clear training schedule is a red flag.

✅ 3. Do the instructors have a competition background or strong lineage?

Why Your Coach Choice Matters More Than You Think

Choosing the right instructor is arguably even more critical than choosing the gym itself. Here's why:

It typically takes 10+ years to reach black belt — that's a decade of your life and thousands of hours of training
A great coach will accelerate your learning, prevent injuries, and keep you motivated through the inevitable plateaus
A mediocre or questionable instructor can teach bad habits that take years to unlearn, or worse, cause injuries that end your BJJ journey
Your coach's technical knowledge, teaching style, and values will shape your entire Jiu-Jitsu experience

Bottom line: The fanciest facilities and newest equipment won't matter if your instructor can't teach proper technique or doesn't have verifiable credentials. Do your homework — your 10-year journey depends on it.

Even if you're not looking to compete, instructors with competition experience tend to teach more technical and effective Jiu-Jitsu.

How to verify your coach's credentials:

A) Check Who Awarded Their Black Belt

Don't just look at lineage — dig deeper:

Who was their direct instructor? Not just "Gracie lineage" but the actual person who promoted them
Does their teacher have competition credentials? A black belt from a world champion or accomplished competitor carries more weight
Is their instructor verifiable? You should be able to find their teacher's competition history or reputation in the BJJ community

B) Look Up Their Competition Record

Use BJJ Metrics IBJJF Search to verify their credentials:

Search over 200,000 fighters and 10,000 teams in the database
Check if they've competed at IBJJF, AJP, or other credible tournaments
Look at their win/loss record and competition history
See their ELO ranking if they're an active competitor

Note: Not all great instructors compete, but a verifiable competition record is a strong indicator of technical knowledge and teaching quality.

C) Red Flags to Watch For

Instructor name is hard to find: If the gym's website or social media doesn't clearly list the head instructor's full name, be cautious
No online presence: If you can't find the instructor on Google, BJJ forums, or competition databases, that's concerning
Vague credentials: Claims like "trained in Brazil" or "Gracie lineage" without specifics about who, when, and where
Can't verify their teacher: If their instructor's name doesn't appear in any BJJ databases or has no online footprint, investigate further

Bottom line:

The head coach should have a legitimate, verifiable black belt
There should be active competitors training at the gym
The gym's instructors should have competed at IBJJF, AJP, or other credible tournaments — or have a well-documented teaching lineage

High-level gyms attract serious practitioners — and you'll benefit from that environment even as a hobbyist. Transparency about credentials is a sign of a legitimate academy.

✅ 4. What happens when you reach out?

Try messaging the gym via Instagram, email, or their contact form.

Quick, polite, and informative responses = good sign
No reply or evasive answers = caution

If they avoid naming the instructor or won't send a schedule, something's off.

✅ 5. What should you look for when visiting?

Cleanliness: Mats, changing areas, and toilets should be well-maintained.

Atmosphere: Are people friendly and welcoming, or standoffish and cliquey?

Structure: A standard BJJ class usually includes:

Warm-up
Technique drilling
Sparring (rolling)

If a gym skips warm-ups or sparring entirely, that's worth questioning.

✅ 6. What if you're only training for self-defense or fitness?

You still want instructors who teach functional, pressure-tested techniques.

A gym with real competitors is more likely to deliver effective training — even if you're just doing this for fun or health.

✅ 7. How many people train there regularly?

A good gym usually has a strong community and consistent attendance.

If you visit during a peak time (like weekday evenings) and see only 2–3 people training, ask why.

✅ 8. Are there beginner-friendly classes?

Ask if they offer beginner or fundamentals classes.

Jumping straight into advanced sparring as a total beginner can be overwhelming or even dangerous.

✅ 9. Do they offer trial classes?

Most gyms offer a free trial or a low-cost intro class.

Take advantage of this — it's the best way to get a feel for the vibe, the coaching, and the other students.

✅ 10. Trust your gut.

If something feels off — the instructor seems arrogant, students seem miserable, or the environment feels closed — trust that feeling.

BJJ is a long journey. You want to spend it in a place where you feel motivated, safe, and respected.

Bayside Jiu Jitsu