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Gorilla BJJ Academy
5 ★★★★★ 84 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in Mahwah, New Jersey
Plan your first class
- Free trial or intro class most gyms welcome new members with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
- Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
- Kids & youth classes kids and youth muay thai classes — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- Sparring & clinch sparring and clinch sessions for members ready for controlled contact — always optional and coach-supervised
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule gorillabjjacademy.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (201) 962-8400
Hours
| Monday | 11:30 AM–12:30 PM, 5–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 5:30–6:30 AM, 11:30 AM–1 PM, 6–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 11:30 AM–1 PM, 5–8:30 PM |
| Thursday | 5:30–6:30 AM, 11:30 AM–1 PM, 6–9 PM |
| Friday | 5–8 PM |
| Saturday | 6 AM–12:30 PM |
| Sunday | 10 AM–12 PM |
The classes they run
“They also offer their Muay Thai program which is great to round out your game with striking instructors Carlos and Thai as they welcome all levels for their classes.”
“After relocating from NYC, we were searching for a top-notch, clean, and professional facility for our kids to train in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.”
“that's how much I like this gym, the instructors, the environment, and the sparring partners.”
“If you are a competitor looking to take home more medals or if you are a hobbyist looking to improve your fitness and self defense, Gorilla is the place for you.”
Other martial arts here
“Owner and Professor Mike stays up to date with the jiu jitsu world and is always implementing the new wave of techniques in his teachings as well as old school moves.”
“Professor Mike Wilson and his team are a great bunch and are very knowledgable on teaching BJJ/MMA/wrestling and self defense in general.”
“Professor Mike Wilson and his team are a great bunch and are very knowledgable on teaching BJJ/MMA/wrestling and self defense in general.”
What members say
“From spotless mats and workout equipment, to incredible instruction from Mike, I don’t have a bad thing to say about this gym.”
“They also offer their Muay Thai program which is great to round out your game with striking instructors Carlos and Thai as they welcome all levels for their classes.”
“While it can be intimidating to start jiu jitsu, I can confidently say anyone who wants to begin their journey can find a welcoming home at Gorilla BJJ.”
“Owner and Professor Mike stays up to date with the jiu jitsu world and is always implementing the new wave of techniques in his teachings as well as old school moves.”
“A superb environment to learn new fighting skills, whether it's MMA, Muay Thai, BJJ Gi, or No Gi, or BJJ Competition.”
“After relocating from NYC, we were searching for a top-notch, clean, and professional facility for our kids to train in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.”
From the reviews
I’ve been training at Gorilla for 5 years now and I’ve loved every moment of it. Instructor Mike Wilson has a passion for BJJ and teaches virtually every class. His attention to detail and easy to understand analogies help make complicated technique easier to learn.
Great gym great people. My cousin switched to this gym a couple months ago and his game has dramatically improved since! Head Professor Mike runs a great program and everyone there rolls very respectfully. If you’re thinking about starting bjj or any type of striking, this is a great place to get started.
Gorilla BJJ is a breath of fresh air if you're looking for a jiu-jitsu gym that breaks away from traditional formalities. Forget the bowing and the formal titles like "Professor" or "Sensei” here, they keep it wonderfully simple: technique, training, and fun!
The cleanest gym I’ve ever trained at and one of the most welcoming gyms for a beginner if you’ve never trained before and have always wanted to, or if you have been training for a while and are looking for a better and more welcoming gym.
New to muay thai? Start at Gorilla BJJ Academy
Gorilla BJJ Academy comes up as a beginner-friendly gym, going by their listing and members’ reviews. If you've never thrown a punch or a kick, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and coaches scale the conditioning to you. Second, you won't be thrown into sparring — reputable gyms build fundamentals (stance, footwork, and the basic strikes of the "art of eight limbs") for weeks before any contact, and sparring stays optional. Third, all levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or fundamentals class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out. Most gyms are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.
Your first muay thai class at Gorilla BJJ Academy
Nervous about walking into a muay thai gym for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good coaches expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling the basics on pads and bags — not fighting. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: shorts or athletic wear and a t-shirt; you'll train barefoot on the mats. What to bring: water and hand wraps if you have them — many gyms lend gloves for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gloves, wraps, a mouthguard, and shin guards. Sparring is optional and comes later, once your fundamentals are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the coach. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.
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