East Athens Jiu Jitsu
About
East Athens Jiu Jitsu offers training in mixed martial arts and Brazilian jiu-jitsu under the guidance of Professor JR, a 2nd Degree Black Belt under Andre Galvao and former Atos HQ competitor. The coaching style is highly technical yet accessible, with detailed breakdowns of techniques and a philosophy that emphasizes safety and injury prevention. Members appreciate the thoughtful instruction that works for both beginners and experienced practitioners, with upcoming additions like wrestling and weekend classes expanding the training options. The facility is noted for being clean, bright, and welcoming, creating a professional atmosphere that enhances the learning experience. Many find the pricing fair for the quality of training and environment provided, making it a strong value for those seeking top-tier instruction in the Atlanta area. Members consistently highlight the supportive community where everyone is friendly, respectful, and encouraging. This creates an environment where individuals feel safe to learn and grow, whether they are children, women, or experienced athletes. The gym fosters meaningful connections beyond training, with many forming lasting friendships through shared practice. This combination of excellent coaching, clean facilities, and a positive community makes East Athens Jiu Jitsu a standout choice for martial arts training in the region.
reviewsWhat Members Say
Members consistently praise Coach JR as a fantastic, technical instructor who breaks down moves clearly and works patiently with students at all levels. They highlight his emphasis on safety and injury prevention while encouraging rolling to improve skills. Reviewers describe the gym environment as exceptionally clean, bright, and welcoming, with a friendly community where everyone feels respected and supported. Specific mentions include women feeling empowered and safe, children finding a fun learning environment, and the overall atmosphere being both professional and positive.
rate_reviewGoogle Reviews (5)
Joseph Vattakkunnel
2 months ago
Great gym - came into college and I’d been training for a couple years. Bounced around gyms in Athens and settled on EA. Coach JR is super technical (ex-Atos HQ) and probably the best technique in Athens. Great if you’re starting out or if you’ve been training a while - they’ve got a handful of good guys there. Beyond training, I’ve made plenty of good friends there. Everyone is pretty friendly and nice. Good community fs. They’re also adding more classes next month (wrestling and weekend class) so that’ll be dope.
Jake Myers
2 months ago
Fantastic gym. JR is an incredible instructor who is very personable and works with you, works through moves multiple times, and encourages rolling in order to improve. Allows you to work at your comfort level and main priority is avoiding injury. Best place I’ve trained at and would recommend to anyone looking for somewhere to learn.
Leticia Dantas
4 months ago
Coach JR is fantastic and leads by example. Your child will find a training environment where everyone is kind and respectful. My son never got into any sports until now - and this is because he feels safe and it has become fun to learn and train. 100% recommend!
Chey Thomas
4 months ago
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 – Superior Training, Coaching, and Environment East Athens Jiu-Jitsu is on a completely different level compared to the last gym I attended. The training here is far more detailed, thoughtful, and effective. Coach JR is an intuitive and influential mentor who breaks down techniques clearly and brings a deeper philosophy to the art of jiu-jitsu. His approach makes learning both accessible and meaningful. On top of the excellent coaching, the gym itself is noticeably cleaner, brighter, and more welcoming than my previous gym. The atmosphere feels positive and professional, which makes every class even more enjoyable. Considering the quality of training and the environment, the price point feels more than fair for what I’m receiving. If you’re looking for top-tier instruction in a clean, motivating space, I highly recommend East Athens Jiu-Jitsu.
Hanna Medler
5 months ago
I had such a positive experience here as a woman. From the moment I walked in I felt supported and respected. The coaches and training partners created an environment where I felt safe, empowered, and encouraged to learn and grow. The facility is clean, the instruction thoughtful, and the community genuinely friendly. If you’re a woman looking to start Jiu-Jitsu (or get back into it), this is a place where you’ll feel welcome and capable.
Contact
1040 Gaines School Rd #113, Athens, GA 30605, USA
scheduleHours
Monday: 4:00 – 9:00 PM
Tuesday: 4:00 – 9:00 PM
Wednesday: 4:00 – 9:00 PM
Thursday: 4:00 – 9:00 PM
Friday: 4:00 – 9:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
groupCoaches & Instructors
JR
Professor/Head Coach
2nd Degree Black Belt under Andre Galvao
Founded East Athens Jiu Jitsu after 20 years of world-class training in San Diego. Received black belt from 6x World Champion Andre Galvao. Began training in the Marines after a lifetime of wrestling.