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Learning jiu-jitsu in Shanghai

Shanghai is this guide's first mainland city and the first that ships with no full entry, and the reason is worth stating plainly: the academies exist and train, but they publish inside WeChat, Rednote and Dianping, which this research never opens, and the one own domain that answers a foreign client shows a mainland IP wall instead of a page. What can be read is recorded here: SmartShanghai's addresses for the valley's rooms, with district and phone, and SHBJJ's own words on its Hong Kong site, three DEF Group academies at 1855 Qixin Rd in Minhang, 1777 Century Ave B1 in Pudong and 728 Xinhua Rd in Changning, with a «free drop in» for members. Schedules and prices must be asked over WeChat; the words to expect are 体验课 for a trial class and 月卡 for a monthly pass. This guide records addresses and names the wall; nothing more is claimed. For someone starting out, the real question is not «which gym is the best» but «which one fits me»; this guide exists to answer that.

Academies being verified

We are re-confirming the essentials: class schedules and trial mechanics. Each academy joins the full guide once its facts meet the bar.

Alavanca Jiu Jitsu Hongqiao Lu

161, Bldg 3, Lane 996 Hongqiao Lu, Changning

Last checked: 2026-09-03
BJJ Yongjia Lu Xuhui

120 m west of the Yongjia Lu and Yueyang Lu crossing, Xuhui

Last checked: 2026-09-03
Bushido Jingan

9/F, 445 Jiangning Lu, Jing'an

Last checked: 2026-09-03
Def Group Ca Academy

B1, East Hope Building, 1777 Century Avenue, Pudong

Last checked: 2026-09-03
Def Group Qx Academy

Unit A01, Block A, 1855 Qixin Road, Minhang

Last checked: 2026-09-03
Def Group Xh Academy

Ground Floor, 728 Xinhua Road, Changning

Last checked: 2026-09-03
Efl BJJ Muay Thai Minhang

Room 533, Hongqiao DoBe Park, 1189 Wuzhong Lu, Minhang

Last checked: 2026-09-03
Mahmoudi Gym Putuo

Room 666, 6/F, 715 Aomen Lu, Putuo

Last checked: 2026-09-03
Method MMA Jingan

S3-S4, 1/F, 667 Changhua Lu, Jing'an

Last checked: 2026-09-03
Method MMA Pudong

Room 502, Ruichuang Valley, 162 Weifang Lu, Pudong

Last checked: 2026-09-03
New Fighter Jingan

Bldg 8, 697 Lingshi Lu, Jing'an

Last checked: 2026-09-03
Nomadic Grappling
Ocean Combat Academy Changning
Shbjj Lingling Lu

B1/F, No. 1, Lane 751 Lingling Lu, Xuhui

Last checked: 2026-09-03
Shbjj Zhongshan Park Tianshan Lu

22/F, No. 2, Lane 600 Tianshan Lu, Changning

Last checked: 2026-09-03
Tactics BJJ Putuo
Workshop Jiu Jitsu Changle Lu

Room 1502, 1219 Changle Lu, Xuhui

Last checked: 2026-09-03
Xiao Guanjun BJJ Hongkou

1/F clubhouse, Ruihong Xincheng Phase 1, 333 Linping Lu, Hongkou

Last checked: 2026-09-03

Frequently asked questions

How do I book a trial class?

It differs by academy. Where we could verify the booking method, it is listed under "Your first visit" in that academy's entry; otherwise, asking through the academy's official channel is the most reliable route.

I'm a complete beginner. Can I just show up?

It differs by academy. Entries show where a fundamentals program and first-visit process are verified. For the rest, check with the academy before visiting. For what a first class actually feels like, see the beginner posts on our blog.