Do I need any experience?

Not at all. Most of our members started as complete beginners. Our Fundamentals classes are designed specifically for people on day one. You’ll be taught one foundational position each week, building your game piece by piece.

What do I wear and bring?

Wear comfortable athletic clothes (no zippers or jewellery). We’ll lend you a training gi for your free trial — you just bring a water bottle. If you decide to join, we’ll sort out your own gi through SJJ Apparel.

Is it safe? I'm worried about injury.

Jiu-Jitsu is one of the safer martial arts — there’s no striking, and you always have full control over the intensity of your training. In Fundamentals, everyone trains at a measured pace. Our coaches watch every drill and every roll. If you ever need a break, just tap out.

How old should my child be to start?

Our Little Diamonds program starts at age 3. The focus at that age is on coordination, listening skills, respect and having fun. Real Jiu-Jitsu techniques begin around age 5–6. From there we have progressive classes right through to Teens (13–15).

How much does membership cost?

Our memberships range from casual (per-class) to full unlimited access. Pricing depends on your program and visit frequency. After your free trial we’ll walk you through the options — or call 0401 388 963 to get a quick quote upfront.

Can I bring a friend?

Absolutely. In fact it’s often less nerve-wracking to come together. Let us know on the form how many of you are coming and we’ll get you all into the same class.

What if I'm out of shape?

Doesn’t matter. Plenty of our members came in completely untrained and Jiu-Jitsu is how they got fit. You set the pace. In a 60-minute class you choose how hard you go. Most people are shocked at how quickly they improve.

Stories from the mats.

Video interviews, written reviews and before/after transformations from SJJA Lane Cove members. 1708+ five-star reviews. Every one of them earned.

Google 5-star reviews

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Average rating

0 /5

Would recommend

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Building trust since 2016

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Featured story

The proof is on the mats.

The best way to understand why people call SJJA one of the best BJJ academies on the North Shore is to hear from the people who train here.

Founder Story

Why members start, and why they stay

People come to Lane Cove for all kinds of reasons. A parent wants their child to have more confidence. Someone wants to get fit without a boring gym. Another wants to learn real self-defence. A few want to compete.
What keeps them is the room. The coaching, the training partners and the steady sense of getting better at something that matters

BA

Bruno Alves

Founder · Black Belt 4th Degree

Transformation
stories

Adult beginner · 8 months

"I walked in at 38, no fitness, never fought anyone. I came out different."

Before: Sedentary, 8kg overweight

After: 3×/week, leaner, confident

JM

Jack M.

Adult Fundamentals

Women’s program · 14 months

"Jiu-Jitsu gave me the kind of confidence I didn't know was missing."

Before: Anxious in public, no martial arts

After: Blue belt, self-defence ready

SP

Sarah P.

Women’s Program

Parent · 2 years

"My daughter used to cry at school. Now she's the one helping the shy kids."

Before: Shy, withdrawn, bullied

After: Confident, engaged, a leader

AB

Amanda B.

Parent — Kids Program

Blue belt · Competitor

"I came here for fitness. I stayed for the competition team."

Before: Casual gym-goer

After: Pan Pacific silver medallist

AC

Ankit C.

Advanced · Competition Team

Visiting black belt

"The coaches and community here are something special."

Role: Visiting from overseas

Takeaway: Made Sydney feel like home

ST

Jonathan H.

Visiting Black Belt

Parent + student · 3 years

"Started for my son. Joined the adult class six months later."

Before: Watching from the sidelines

After: Father-son training partners

JM

Steve T.

Adults + Kids program

Adult beginner · 8 months

"I walked in at 38, no fitness, never fought anyone. I came out different."

Before: Sedentary, 8kg overweight

After: 3×/week, leaner, confident

JM

Jack M.

Adult Fundamentals

Visiting black belt

"The coaches and community here are something special."

Role: Visiting from overseas

Takeaway: Made Sydney feel like home

ST

Jonathan H.

Visiting Black Belt

Women’s program · 14 months

"Jiu-Jitsu gave me the kind of confidence I didn't know was missing."

Before: Anxious in public, no martial arts

After: Blue belt, self-defence ready

SP

Sarah P.

Women’s Program

Parent · 2 years

"My daughter used to cry at school. Now she's the one helping the shy kids."

Before: Shy, withdrawn, bullied

After: Confident, engaged, a leader

AB

Amanda B.

Parent — Kids Program

Parent + student · 3 years

"Started for my son. Joined the adult class six months later."

Before: Watching from the sidelines

After: Father-son training partners

JM

Steve T.

Adults + Kids program

Blue belt · Competitor

"I came here for fitness. I stayed for the competition team."

Before: Casual gym-goer

After: Pan Pacific silver medallist

AC

Ankit C.

Advanced · Competition Team

Transformations

Pressure makes
diamonds.

What 6, 12, or 24 months of consistent training really
looks like — mind, body and character.

Fitness transformation

Tom — 12 months, white to blue belt

Tom arrived out of shape and out of practice. A year of consistent Fundamentals classes, three times a week, changed his fitness, his posture, and — in his words — “the way I show up at work.”

+140%

Cardio capacity

−9 kg

Body weight

Blue belt

Earned in 14 months

Confidence transformation

Riley — 24 months, shy kid to leader

Riley’s mum enrolled her at six. She hid behind legs for the first month. Two years on she leads the warmups, partners with new kids first, and earned her orange belt at the NSW state championships.

4 belts

White to orange

State

Medal winner

Class leader

Helping new kids

Mental transformation

Priya — 18 months, anxiety to advocate

Priya joined the women’s program after a difficult year. The community, the structure, and the physical practice rewrote her relationship with stress. She now runs introductory sessions for new women at the gym.

3×/week

Consistent attendance

Blue belt

Earned in 16 months

Mentor

For new students

Google reviews

What everyone else
is saying.

A selection of our 1708+ verified Google reviews.
Sorted by most recent.

    
 
 
      Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We Highly recommend SJJA Lane Cove!! Rob and all of the team are fantastic!! The coaches are so invested, professional and true leaders in their field. Our child is thriving and gaining knowledge and a true love of BJJ. Many thanks to Rob and all of the team.
  
  Posted on Google  
 
    
   Emma B 
 
 
 
 
     Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great facilities and coaches. Shoutout senseis Rapha and Simon
  
  Posted on Google  
 
    
   Mick d 
 
 
 
 
     Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The best academy to train Brazillian Jiu Jitsu, for both kids & adults. Excellent instructors & management. Highly successful competition team.
  
  Posted on Google  
 
    
   David H 
 
 
 
 
     Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The best place and amazing professors! Also, Rob is the best!
  
  Posted on Google  
 
    
   Eky P 
 
 
 
 
     Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great place to train and grow. The Culture is great and Professor Raphael is an amazing teacher. If you want to learn from world class athletes then this is the place to be.
  
  Posted on Google  
 
    
   Alex L 
 
 
 
 
     Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Trained at SJJA Lane Cove while visiting Sidney. Very familiar environment, great quality jiu jitsu. I felt like home. Thank you all the crew and students for being so friendly. Thank you a professor Bruno Alves  and Professor Raphael Rodrigues. BJJ family. Oooosssss !
  
  Posted on Google  
 
    
   Sergio G 
 
 
 
 
     Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great experience at this gym.  Very detailed instruction, friendly welcoming instructor and classmates.  I highly recommend to check it out! Thanks Professor Rob and Simon for letting me come train.
  
  Posted on Google  
 
    
   Master S 
 
 
 
 
     Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. really enjoyed Rapha’s teaching - world class and will be back for more!
  
  Posted on Google  
 
    
   Jack K

01 / 01

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Your first class is on us

Stories from the mats.

Why members start, and why they stay

BA

Bruno Alves

"I walked in at 38, no fitness, never fought anyone. I came out different."

JM

Jack M.

"Jiu-Jitsu gave me the kind of confidence I didn't know was missing."

SP

Sarah P.

"My daughter used to cry at school. Now she's the one helping the shy kids."

AB

Amanda B.

"I came here for fitness. I stayed for the competition team."

AC

Ankit C.

"The coaches and community here are something special."

ST

Jonathan H.

"Started for my son. Joined the adult class six months later."

JM

Steve T.

"I walked in at 38, no fitness, never fought anyone. I came out different."

JM

Jack M.

"The coaches and community here are something special."

ST

Jonathan H.

"Jiu-Jitsu gave me the kind of confidence I didn't know was missing."

SP

Sarah P.

"My daughter used to cry at school. Now she's the one helping the shy kids."

AB

Amanda B.

"Started for my son. Joined the adult class six months later."

JM

Steve T.

"I came here for fitness. I stayed for the competition team."

AC

Ankit C.

Tom — 12 months, white to blue belt

+140%

−9 kg

Blue belt

Riley — 24 months, shy kid to leader

4 belts

State

Class leader

Priya — 18 months, anxiety to advocate

3×/week

Blue belt

Mentor

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