Calculated from categorized student reviews and profile completeness — instructors, schedule,
facility and pricing — using the data available to us. Manage this academy?
Claim this page to update it.
Disciplines
GiJudoMMASelf-Defense
Classes
Adults ClassesFundamentalsKids Classes
Facilities
Mat Space
Culture
Welcoming Environment
Access
Free Trial
Special offers for classes at the Winter Park location of Armada Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Reviews
Happy
This is a great place to learn Jiu Jitsu and share in a great community. This place is clean and full of great friendly people. Come join us.
FacilityAtmosphere
Posted 1 year ago
Christopher Holt
For anyone who is considering joining Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, selfdefense or physical wellness , Armada Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is an amazing organization to join. Super welcoming atmosphere, excellent instructors and a great wholesome vibes for all ages. It's a wonderful space to be in.
InstructorsFacilityAtmosphere
Posted 1 year ago
Keegan
More than a jiu jitsu gym, Armada is a family.
Armada is an incredible environment to train in for everyone from hobbyist to competitor. I know that I always look forward to coming to class, not only to learn jiu jitsu from the fantastic instructors, but to learn more about my self and the world around me.
Thank you Professor Darin for having such a great team and establishment! Looking forward to the next class!
InstructorsFacilityClassesAtmosphere
Posted 1 year ago
blake phelps
Great rolls and great people!
InstructorsAtmosphere
Posted 1 year ago
Matthew Miller
My son began doing jujitsu at Armada and then I got in on the fun. This is a great place for a hobbyist. Would recommend to anyone that has an interest but an afraid of the unknown. Very friendly members and staff, this is a safe place to see if jujitsu is something you might want to do.
My son feels good about it and he happy that he join it and it helps him a lot for his body and for his mindset and to get stronger in every class he goes to he learns a lot and like to show us what he learn everyday and thank you for ever since one of the couches for taking there time and effort to teach my son and other kids
Whether you're new to jiu jitsu or looking for a new gym, Armada is a great place to train. The coaches teach quality jiu jitsu and there's no shortage of great training partners between both locations.
Armada BJJ has done wonders for me. Not only has it made me better at jiu jitsu but also taught me many different morals. Armada jiu jitsu is more of a family than a training gym.
I’ve been training at Armada BJJ gym for 6 months now, and I can’t recommend it more highly. The level of professionalism here is unmatched, and the sense of community truly makes every session both challenging and supportive. The instructors are incredibly knowledgeable and dedicated to helping each student improve not just in BJJ, but in life as well. Every class is an opportunity to learn new techniques and gain valuable insights, making the experience both physically and mentally enriching. Whether you’re a beginner or more experienced, you’ll find a welcoming atmosphere that pushes you to be your best. This gym isn’t just a place to train—it’s a community where growth and camaraderie go hand in hand.
I love Armada. I started my jiujitsu journey here and never looked back. Going on 3 years now. If you’re looking for a gym with high level instruction and a family feel, this is your spot. OSS!
Armada is an outstanding martial arts school teaching Brazilian jiu jitsu to all ages, from toddlers to seniors, 6 days a week. Muay Thai kickboxing is also available. Friendly instructors and students, a focus on health and safety, and a super clean environment make this my favorite place to train. ❤️
It is a great community and supportive environment. It’s been a month now, and I have already seen a lot of improvement. I look forward to every class I can go to!
Armada BJJ has been such a positive experience for my 9 year old son. Coach Darin is amazing and runs a fantastic and well organized program. Darin provides an environment where my son feels safe, challenged, and has gained so much confidence both in the gym and at school. I highly recommend Armada and we are so pleased with the skills and growth that we have seen so far. Thank you Coach Darin!
From the moment we walked through the doors of Armada BJJ this family-owned academy in Central Florida welcomed us with open arms. The incredible coaches, supportive teammates, and strong sense of community have made it feel like home. We’re so grateful to continue this journey surrounded by such an inspiring group of people.💙🖤
I've been training here for a couple of months, and I couldn't be happier with my experience. The instructors are highly skilled, patient, and dedicated to helping each student improve, no matter their skill level. The classes are well-structured, offering a perfect balance of technique, sparring, and conditioning.
What really sets this gym apart is the welcoming and supportive community. Everyone is respectful, friendly, and focused on growth. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced practitioner, you'll feel right at home here.
Great group of people with outstanding leadership. Everyone is welcoming and friendly. The perfect place to grapple without worrying about overly aggressive people on the mats.
Meticulous facilities, it’s impressive how clean they manage to keep everything.
If you are new to jiujitsu or a veteran looking for a new school or a place to visit, this is your spot. Hope to see you on the mats.
Amazing group of people and very accommodating for children. I started my son in there little ninja program and we are beyond estatic with the program and instructors! Best in Orlando area!
Excellent staff and facilities. We were at a different gym before COVID and the experience at Armada is far better. We're excited to have our kids train here for years to come.
I was looking for a new gym to train at and came across Armada BJJ. I started a free week trial to try it and fell in love after my first day. The facility is immaculate and well-organized. The instructors are excellent and teach quality jiu-jitsu, an overall welcoming environment. If I had to recommend a place to train for someone, Armada Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is the place to be!
Fantastic place - for kids especially! Two locations with plenty of class options for kids & adults. Love watching my daughter push herself and learn more each class. Teaching strength, life lessons & self defense.
Armada was home to my training several years ago when I first moved to Orlando. Darrin was an awesome blue belt at that time and he taught standing to ground, offense and defense. The lunch training classes were just my speed and I trained here more gi and no gi at that time than my home gym. This is a welcoming team. I loved the vibe of the gym and it was the cleanest gym and hygiene ettiquete I had ever experienced --and that was before the pandemic effect. It's grown and gotten better with mulitiple locations and an they now have recovery therapy with sauna and cold plunge options as well. I highly recommend checking out this gym if you are looking for a place to train and recover as well.
Quality instruction, clean facility. Coaches take the time to explain BJJ skills in detail for optimal training for recreation and competitive athletes.
A+ for professionalism and mentoring. Family friendly environment.
Dropped in for open mat while traveling from NC and WOW! Well maintained and modern academy run by great people! I was made to feel welcome in this safe and fun environment. I will be back to take a class and open mat every time I come back to Winter Park! Highly recommend you do, too!! 5/5 stars!!
Our family loves this place. No quick, unearned advancements - you must work hard and consistently. "You want to get good at doing hard things - you have to do hard things." We are thankful for all the coaches and staff, and are grateful to be part of such a grounded and principled group.
Myself and my two sons (8yr & 6yr) have been training at Armada 3 times a week for over 2 months and we absolutely love it! Professors Darrin & Jake are very kind and excellent teachers. I recommend Armada jujitsu to anyone!
InstructorsFacilityClassesAtmosphere
Posted 3 years ago
Roberto A. Heredia González
Son muy profesionales y preocupados con los niños, estamos muy contentos porque sabemos que nuestro hijo está en buenas manos.
My son has recently started to Armada to learn and instructor Darren and his team have been amazing with my son and the other kids. My son has shown increased attention at home, become more confident, and looks forward to each and every class. This is definitely a great place to have your kids come and learn Jiu Jitsu.
Armada is an excellent place to learn and train jiu jitsu. Darin and the coaches are all very knowledgeable and respectfully take the time to help you whenever possible. It is a welcoming and positive environment that people of all levels can benefit from! Jiu jitsu has been and continues to be one of the most beneficial practices in my life and I couldn’t imagine a better place to continue to train and grow.
High level jiujitsu coaching, family friendly atmosphere, beginner through competition level training, cleanest gym i have ever seen. You have to check out this place!
Dropped in while in town for work. Great facilities, super clean, and very friendly students and staff. Really good instruction. I will definitely train here again whenever I am in the area.
I have been training with Darin and the Armada team for about 6 weeks. At 65, I was a bit hesitant as I knew I was not the typical beginner to be embarking on such a physically demanding journey. After my first week, I quickly realized I was fortunate to have begun training with Armada BJJ. Darin's (and the entire Armada team's) friendly demeanor, patience, and attention to proper techique, will not be forgotten.
We’ve been coming to Armada BJJ for a little while now. I think I can sum up the experience so far by saying it’s been awesome! My son was apprehensive about starting but at his first class everyone was so welcoming that he was immediately put at ease. He’s 6, so it’s great that everyone, coaches and students alike, help him out. He’s learned so much already. I look forward to see to see his progress. Also, I love the structure, discipline and the philosophical elements and can’t express enough how nurturing the environment is.
I’ve had the opportunity to see some of the other classes (teens and adults). I’m considering signing up because the classes seem educational and fun, not to mention a workout. I could stand to lose a few pounds:) It seems there’s a lot to be gained by anyone from beginners to those with years of experience. If you’re looking for your self or your child/children, look no further. Don’t take my word for it. Look at all of the other reviews.
A great place for anyone of any skill level to train...Family run...very clean...No egos...everyone is respected and supports each others progress...A lot of classes, Muay Thai also...and not overpriced
100% worth trying
Absolutely awesome. We brought our six year old son here for the one week trial and he immediately wanted to sign up.
Very clean, structured, well organized and the owners genuinely care about the members.
We tried three other places before we found Armada BJJ and we are so happy we found them.
We could not be more happy.
Thank you Armada BJJ.
This an amazing gym for you to learn and practice your jiu-jitsu. Its an all around friendly community full with helpful instructors that teach every move right to where everyone understands and other people that give feedback to your moves to let you know if something is wrong and maybe give you tips. Everyone has a fun time learning and enjoys what this gym has to offer. If someone asked me, "Do you know a place where I can learn jiu-jitsu?", my first answer would be Armada.
InstructorsFacilityClassesAtmosphere
Posted 4 years ago
Timothy Schuman
Armada is the best!! Great environment with the friendliest of staff.
Great instructor! The atmosphere is very welcoming especially for a new comer like myself. Everyone is helpful in helping each other with the techniques. Definitely recommend!
Me and my daughter have been coming a couple of days a week for the past few weeks. We really didn't fully know what we were getting ourselves into. It has been wonderful learning about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I learn something new each time I come. What I appreciate most was how friendly everyone has been. When I called ahead of time Darren was so kind and friendly I actually changed my mind and came to Armada instead of the other place I was originally going. My daughter has expressed how much she likes it as well. I plan to keep learning and practicing with the class and teachers.
I can't say enough good things about Armada. The instructors and students are all so kind and patient. My 4-year-old has been going a little more than a month and everyone is so helpful and patient with him in class. The facility is clean and comfortable. I'm so glad we ended up here.
My 11 year old daughter has been in classes here for a couple of weeks now and she loves it!
The facility is very spacious, clean, and bright. The instructor and staff are friendly, engaging, and skilled.
Looking forward to seeing my daughter’s skills grow and develop here!
InstructorsFacilityClassesAtmosphere
Posted 4 years ago
Kathy Hibbard
So good for the kids a great environment clean and
Excellent business from start to finish instructor/owner is very polite and very friendly, he is also great with kids. My son is 9 years old and he was able to try out Brazilian jit ju su for a week for free. The business is paperless and all the waivers that need to be signed are on their website. I would highly recommend all my friends and family.
InstructorsFacilityClassesAtmosphere
Posted 4 years ago
Reno Bucci
Awesome group of people and many different classes offered. Coaches and the atmosphere are fantastic
Great place to train! The instructors are very knowledgeable. Everyone here helps and encourages each other. Super clean facility. I'd recommend Armada Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Winter Park without hesitation to anyone in Orlando who is interested in training in jujitsu.
My son and I are both students.
InstructorsFacilityLocationAtmosphere
Posted 4 years ago
Dawood Al Hosni
Everyone is welcoming and willing to help, amazing atmosphere and great coaches.
I cannot rate Armada high enough. Everyone there from the coaches to the members are incredible. The quality of teaching from Darin, Leo and Eric is second to none. The entire gym is incredibly professional and caring and I would not train anywhere else. Beginning my jiu jitsu journey at this gym has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. I cannot speak highly enough about these guys!
InstructorsFacilityClassesAtmosphere
Posted 4 years ago
Derek Bryant
Very welcoming. Great Instructors. Great team. Highly recommend
Everyone at the gym is super welcoming and the atmosphere is perfect for learning. It’s a great physical workout with a mental game that only gets more fun. The facility is clean and open, and the instructors are friendly and genuinely interested in helping everyone grow in life. Highly recommend!
Our 6 year old daughter wanted to start regular martial arts classes, and after doing some research, checked out Armada. After her first class, she was adamant about wanting to enroll. Armada is an extremely welcoming, dynamic, and supportive place to get started.
Unlike classes we've taken at other schools, where kids really only train with others at their skill level, Armada's classes have a lot of participants at a range of levels, and they break off into smaller groups at different points in the class. It is so motivating to have a clear line of sight to the older/more skilled kids. It reminds me a little bit of learning a language — you get the best results by immersing yourself in the culture with native speakers.
As a parent, I love that they have so many class options during the week, and that you don't have to sign up for a set/single day of the week. That flexibility is everything! This is a studio that understands how busy our modern lives are, and has found a model that gets kids engaged and progressing quickly.
We're huge fans!
Have had the opportunity to train on these mats several times. Really good experience each time. Large, bright, clean open training space! Excellent instruction and positive culture! If you are in the area, check out Armada!
InstructorsFacilityLocationAtmosphere
Posted 5 years ago
Megan Bishop
We were on the hunt for a jiu jitsu gym for our son and man oh man am I so thankful we found Armada!! The young kids are mixed with olders and it’s so comforting to see the help and guidance provided by the coaches and other kids. If you’re looking for an organization that promotes respect, fun, and safety while learning jiu jitsu, this is the gym for you!
This is a great jiu jitsu gym! The owner/coach and his wife are very personable and make it feel like an extended family atmosphere. The owner/coach knows everyone by name and is a great teacher/instructor. The other coaches that assist are also great teachers/instructors.
InstructorsFacilityAtmosphere
Posted 5 years ago
Özlem Bostanci
A great facility with a friendly atmosphere to learn bjj.
Great place great family I've trained at a few academy's and this place by far has impressed me the most. My 4 kids are super happy with Armada BJJ and I Highly recommend.
My son was previously at another gym for a few years. We transitioned to Armada around 4 months ago and have never looked back. The coaching staff is very knowledgeable, and there is tons of kids which means the classes allow my child to get a range of experience.
Tournaments are a good experience and everyone hangs out as a group. Highly recommend anyone looking to get their child into BJJ or maybe yourself. Come check them out.
We love Armada BJJ! After calling around they were the only ones open to trying out a toddler level. The instructors were patient with our little girl and after a few months, I could see her actually applying what she’s learned. The instructors have a great balance of making the class fun for toddlers but knowing when and how to challenge them. It’s been fascinating to see her learn and grow at such an amazing and functional sport - highly recommend for any age.
My son loves it. A very welcoming family environment. Darin is a fantastic instructor. He is skilled and knowledgeable and takes the time to work with every child. Couldn't be happier. Definitely recommend.
“Mom, it was SO FUN!”
My teenager finished 2-1/2 hours of jiujitsu classes at Winter Park Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and couldn’t stop talking about it. After calling ahead from our home in Hawaii, my live-sleep-breathe jiujitsu daughter was able to try two classes during our short visit to Florida. The $25 all-day pass was worth it!
A large, white practice mat cheerfully becks, promising sweaty people puzzle fun. Parents and onlookers can sit on long, wooden benches at the front and sides of the room. A living plant wall adds color and slight sound absorption.
Friendly husband and wife business owners Darin and Heather Shapiro were friendly and laid-back. Their jiujitsu students and instructors made my daughter feel completely at ease.
Students are matched up by size and experience for drills and sparring. As one student put it, “No egos here.” Everyone helps and encourages each other.
The two classes I saw had >25 and ~50 students. The higher belt class had fewer people. But there was enough room for sparring, and everyone seemed careful and aware of spacing.
If you want to strengthen yourself or your kid from the inside out, I recommend jiujitsu. Friends, challenge, support – all can be found at Winter Park BJJ. They will help you discover your best.
Great place to bring your family, it's a safe and educational environment. Everyone is willing to teach and drill particular things. I would highly recommend this for anyone starting to learn and keep learning. They keep drills fun and interesting , so you always want more.
From the professors to the students, from the class structure to the class schedule. My experience has been unparalleled. Since day one everyone's welcomed me with open arms. Armada Jiu Jitsu has changed my life and I've witnessed other lives changed as well, highly recommend!!
I have two kids enrolled here and couldn't be happier with the atmosphere, owners and the other parents/kids. Everyone here is friendly, welcoming and helpful to those new to BJJ! No egos, no bait/switch pricing, no Cobra Kai mentality.
Darin, John and Douglas are all great with the kids...very patient, excellent at communicating, and they set reasonable expectations then hold the kids to them. While the kids are learning technical BJJ, they're also soaking in lessons about boundaries, collaborating with others during exercises, then overcoming their own limitations when sparring. In just a few weeks I've seen great improvement in my kids' attitudes, drive, physical strength and as a bonus, they go to bed earlier, wiped out from all the activity!
I highly recommend anyone interested in BJJ to take the one week free trial offer when it's available. The classes are unlimited, so instead of one free class like other facilities offer, you get to try as many classes as your schedule allows for a whole week. It's an unbeatable opportunity to see if this is the place you want you or your kids to train.
This is an awesome place to come have fun, get a great workout, make new friends, and of course get some jiu jitsu skills. Everyone is friendly and keen on helping each other out on and off the mat. Would highly recommend it to everyone (and I have)!!
My son and I have been training here since August 3rd, 2020 and have had an amazing experience. The environment is always filled with good vibes and the coaches are awesome and know their Jiu-Jitsu. You’re surrounded by athletes of all levels including Championship caliber athletes and coaches. I highly recommend coming, all you need to do is show up and the team welcomes you to the mat. I love this place and beware because it’s an addicting hobby 🙂😎 #AmazingGym
Excellent jiu jitsu instruction. Kids’ classes are run very well, the lead instructor strikes a perfect balance between maintaining discipline and making the classes fun for the kids.
Amazing bjj gym. Coach Darin and his wife are great people. Myself and my kids started training here and it’s been a world class experience. No egos just great people all the way around. Everyone is friendly and looking to help new members out. Extremely family friendly. Fantastic and professional instructors.
InstructorsFacilityAtmosphere
Posted 5 years ago
Jordan Overall
Fantastic instructors, large mat, and a family-like atmosphere. Would highly recommend.
WP BJJ is awesome. My children and I come about 4-5 times a week and get our butts kicked with a smile. Coach Darin and his family make us feel at home each and every time. With their guidance, they have turned families and people’s attitudes and bodies around. Please join us to keep that mamba mentality alive. 🤙🏽💪🏽
InstructorsFacilityClassesAtmosphere
Posted 6 years ago
flyingtint
This is an incredible place to workout and learn Jiu jitsu in an safe and nurturing environment. Such a great place.
Great atmosphere and people to be around. Everyone is warm and welcoming. Darin is an awesome teacher and coach. I’m happy to be here and learning every day!
I have been coming to the Winter Park location for just over a month with my family and it has been a great experience. The sense of community, mutual respect, and commitment to the students is unparalleled. 100% recommend for anyone looking to learn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
My wife and I started classes here 2 weeks ago. Its been great so far. Darrin, the instructor, has been great from the first email up to our last class. They are very accommodating here and are willing to teach anyone of any age, body type, anything.
The most surprising part of it all has been just how much fun it really is. It becomes a strategy game between you and your opponent testing you mind to think quickly. Not to mention its a great workout. A combination of strength, flexibility, and cardio making it a well rounded endeavor.
If you're on the fence try it. We are very glad we did because we love it. You're learning a skill that is both useful and enjoyable, while getting in a great workout. We have tried to go every day we can since we started and this gym is a great place to do it.
You will not find another place that emphasizes family / learning / and a positive atmosphere than you will here. The people you will meet here will become your family and you will always feel welcome. The Shapiro’s have created the perfect family gym.
Great group of people to work out with. The community is very supportive and willing to help out. No egos. It is all about learning and getting better together. I enjoy the atmosphere, and I lost 15 lbs in the first two months. I love mood when I am there, and want to keep coming back.
What a beautiful clean new gym. I popped in during a kids class and couldn’t believe how great the instructors were towards the students. And it turns out the owner is a two sport world champion, I highly recommend this place!
I've learned and continue to learn more about BJJ every time I show up for class. Great instructors who promote growth with positive encouragement. No "tough guy" nonsense. Life changing! Thank you Leo and Darin.
We signed our whole family up with Fabin Rosa Winter Park. My youngest (4 years old) participates in Little Ninjas and my other kids (6-11) all participate in the kids class. I end the evenings training with the adults. Darin and team have been fantastic and we've thoroughly enjoyed our time learning this great art under his instruction. This is a top rate gym and an amazing community of people and we look forward to growing in our BJJ skills! Can't recommend it high enough. OSSS!
This school has amazing professors that make everybody feel part of a big family!! Everybody is super nice so if you are new to the sport, they make sure to teach you the move until you perfect it.
In here it doesn't matter your age, size, sex.. what matters is that you show up to every class giving it your best.
The coaches are very welcoming, warm and playful in a very well structured environment. Which makes it all more for an amazing place for kids of all ages to grow. We're very grateful to the wonderful people we have come to meet so far!
This dojo seems like the best place to learn Jiu Jitsu. My daughter, Dominique, learned a lot; the coach, his wife, and even the other students were very welcoming! It's an awesome place; you feel like you're a member of a giant Jiu Jitsu family.
Excellent environment to learn a skill set that will improve other parts of your life. High level instructors that are patient and kind. Love these guys!
Top notch Jiu-Jitsu school for all ages and levels. The owner, coach and students are very friendly and welcoming. If you are thinking about joining a Jiu-Jitsu gym, this is the place. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!
Mandatory school uniforms, no defined curriculum. A bit cult-like overall. Relatively low level BJJ, but the people at the gym seemed generally happy. The mats were only cleaned once, at the end of the day.
Edit, reply to owner: I thought my review was fair. There are no world class champions, let alone instructors, other than someone who won Masters 4 (ages 45-50) (125-140lbs) purple belt division. And I reiterate, the mats are only cleaned and mopped once per day. This school belongs to only one of three associations in Central Florida that mandates that you wear their $160 gi.
