Business Details
25 Years
experience
Expert BJJ & Muay Thai Training in Princeton
Founded in 2001 by renowned instructor Emily Kwok, Princeton BJJ has established itself as a premier destination for martial arts training in Princeton, New Jersey. Our team of experienced black belts and certified instructors brings decades of combined expertise in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai, serving students from absolute beginners to competitive athletes. We emphasize technical proficiency, practical self-defense applications, and personal development through structured curricula for adults and children.Our facility fosters a welcoming community where students build physical fitness, mental resilience, and lifelong skills. With specialized programs for youth development, competition preparation, and adult fitness, we maintain rigorous standards of instruction while prioritizing safety and accessibility. Our commitment to continuous improvement is reflected in our evolving curriculum that incorporates modern techniques and teaching methodologies.
Services
Adult BJJ Classes
Kids BJJ Programs
Muay Thai Training
Competition Preparation
Open Mat Sessions
Private Lessons
Group Classes
Youth Development
Self-Defense Workshops
Seminars
Details
- Year established: 2001
Highlights and features
- Expert instruction from IBJJF-certified black belts with 10-23 years of teaching experience
- Inclusive community welcoming students of all ages and skill levels
- Comprehensive youth development programs building confidence and discipline
- Proven track record of competitive success at regional and national tournaments
- Structured curriculum balancing technical precision with practical application
What people say
Top-quality instruction
Inclusive and welcoming atmosphere
Amazing experience for all ages
Great workout and community
Vibrant martial arts community
Services
Adult BJJ Classes
Structured Brazilian Jiu Jitsu instruction for adults covering fundamental techniques, positional control, and submission strategies. Classes emphasize practical self-defense applications while developing physical fitness and mental discipline through progressive skill development.
Kids BJJ Programs
Age-specific Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training for children aged 4-17 focusing on character development, physical coordination, and confidence building. Our Tiny Titans and Junior Champs programs teach respect, perseverance, and safe self-defense techniques in a supportive environment.
Competition Preparation
Specialized training for competitive Brazilian Jiu Jitsu athletes including tournament strategy, live rolling sessions, and technical refinement. Our proven track record includes multiple state and national championship titles across all belt divisions.
Open Mat Sessions
Unstructured practice time for experienced practitioners to drill techniques, engage in controlled sparring, and receive instructor guidance. These sessions emphasize skill refinement and practical application in a collaborative training environment.
Muay Thai Training
Traditional Muay Thai instruction focusing on striking techniques, clinch work, and conditioning. Classes develop cardiovascular fitness, defensive skills, and combat effectiveness through authentic Thai boxing methods taught by experienced practitioners.
People
Emily Kwok
Founder, Master Instructor
3rd Degree Black Belt with 22 years of BJJ experience. Former Sambo practitioner who transitioned to BJJ in 2001. Recognized for developing Princeton BJJ's comprehensive curriculum and nurturing multiple championship-level competitors.
Joe Hannan
Head Coach
Black Belt with 10 years of BJJ experience. Former corporate professional turned full-time instructor. Specializes in technical precision and competition strategy while maintaining focus on accessible instruction for all skill levels.
Gerry Hurtado
Instructor
Black Belt with 23 years of BJJ experience. Focuses on practical self-defense applications and foundational technique development. Brings extensive knowledge of grappling dynamics between different body types and experience levels.
Cynthia Fink
Professor Emeritus
Black Belt with 15 years of BJJ experience and 3rd Degree Tae Kwon Do Black Belt. Specializes in cross-disciplinary martial arts integration and women's self-defense programs while mentoring new instructors.
Brandon Foss
Instructor
Purple Belt with 6 years of BJJ experience. Focuses on personal development through martial arts while teaching practical application of techniques. Known for creating engaging classes that emphasize continuous improvement.
Questions
What martial arts do you teach?
We specialize in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai for all skill levels.
Are beginners welcome?
Yes! Our structured curriculum accommodates absolute beginners through advanced practitioners.
Do you offer kids classes?
Yes, our Tiny Titans (ages 4-7) and Junior Champs (ages 8+) programs develop discipline and confidence.
Can I try a free class?
We offer two free trial classes for both adult and children's programs with no obligation.
What should I wear for my first class?
For BJJ, wear athletic shorts and a t-shirt; for Muay Thai, bring hand wraps and gloves.
Do you have competition teams?
Yes, we have active competition teams for both BJJ and Muay Thai with national champions.
Videos
Reviews (7)
Diana A.
Aug 25, 2021
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Amazing place to train. Top notch instructors, great role models for the kids, and such a positive and uplifting environment. We checked out several Jiu Jitsu schools before deciding on Princeton BJJ and they are hands down, best choice for both adults and kids.
Mike G.
Jun 03, 2021
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Excellent place to train. Clean professional facilities. Beautiful mats. Expert instruction. Accommodating schedule for a busy person. Great kids program.
Mahdi Hedhli
Oct 02, 2020
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Great gym for athletes or families alike. The staff are friendly, down to earth and extremely professional. Really awesome community, feels like family. Art, Emily and the rest of the instructors are top notch. A real gem of a BJJ gym. My 2 boys and myself have trained there for almost 2 years. We plan to enroll our daughter too when she’s old enough. PBJJ has been a staple for us and we’re still excited to train everyday we can.
Heidi Morefield
Apr 22, 2020
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Friendliest gym I've ever been to, hands down. Art and Emily are incredible teachers and truly care about their students. Even through the pandemic, they are running Zoom classes on a regular basis which has been great to keep the community connected. High recommended!
Diana Andes
Apr 15, 2020
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Thank you for the excellent zoom classes and for making it available to everyone (even non members) during this crazy time. While we are all stuck at home, it’s nice to have some semblance of a schedule and to have some interaction with other people even if it’s via zoom. All the classes have been fantastic and creatively modified so that students can practice at home alone and use what they have. Looking forward to more online classes and hope to visit your school when this is all over. Thank you again for the opportunity to train with Princeton BJJ!
Alex F.
Mar 23, 2018
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I tried out a few gyms before coming to PBJJ. The first thing that stood out to me is when I spoke to the person on the phone to schedule my first free visit, he was up front about the pricing. There was no sketchiness. He didn't try to lure me in, or sell me on anything. Upon my first visit, I was greeted by Emily, one of the owners, who led me into the class. I was then greeted by the other owner Art, who welcomed me as the class was doing warm ups. At the time, I had no clue they were owners, just based upon how integrated into the school they were/are. All of the schools I've been
Joseph J.
May 12, 2017
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This school, the instructors, and community have been an amazing blessing in our life. Our 8 years old son has been training for a little more than 2 years and loves it. BJJ is all he wants to do and we are very happy with being a part of this school. Emily and Art are the nicest people and we highly recommend Princeton BJJ!
