Jiu-Jitsu Schools Near Hollywood, Florida
Research for Ramon. Every fact below was checked against each school's own website on October 11, 2026.
The short answer
Start with Fort Lauderdale Jiu-Jitsu. Of the schools reviewed, it is the only one whose website says it teaches students in their 60s, says you don't need to be in shape to begin, and builds its beginner course around self-defense.
The second choice is Valente Brothers in Pembroke Pines. The whole school teaches jiu-jitsu for self-defense.
What this research looked for
- Jiu-jitsu taught for self-defense, since that is your goal.
- A class built for adults who have never trained.
- A school where a man around 60 can start at his own pace.
What turned up
No school in Hollywood runs a class only for older men. Most schools put all adult beginners in one class.
Two schools stood out because their websites speak directly to self-defense and to starting later in life. Two more are inside Hollywood and take beginners, but their websites say less about either point.
Fort Lauderdale Jiu-Jitsu
701 East Sunrise Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
What its website says
- On age. The website asks "Am I too old to start?" and answers no. It says:
We have students ranging from their late teens to their 60s and beyond.
- On fitness. The website asks "Do I need to be in shape?" and answers no. It says the classes teach skill first and
Your fitness will improve naturally as you train
. - On beginners.
The program is designed specifically for beginners.
- On self-defense. The beginner course is 26 lessons. The website says it covers
defense against common street aggression scenarios, defense against an assailant with a weapon, striking, takedowns, and ground grappling.
- On the first visit. The first lesson is free, and it is a private lesson with the instructor, one-on-one.
- On the teacher. The head instructor is Professor Bruce Belfield. The website lists him as a former police officer and SWAT team member with black belts in jiu-jitsu, judo, and karate, and more than 30 years of teaching.
What its website leaves out
- Prices.
- Class times. One adult student's review on the website says adult classes run every day of the week, including Saturdays.
The drive
The school is in Fort Lauderdale, north of Hollywood. Check the drive from your house before you sign up.
Valente Brothers, Pembroke Pines
12191 Taft St, Pembroke Pines, FL
What its website says
- On self-defense. The whole school teaches jiu-jitsu for self-defense. The Valente Brothers website says:
Self-defense is the purpose that organizes the entire system.
- On beginners. The beginner course is called Fighting Foundations. It is 27 lessons, and the website says it is
accessible to students with no previous experience
. - On the first visit. The first class is free for people who live in Broward County or Miami-Dade County. The website says
Proof of residence is required before class
, so bring something that shows your Hollywood address, such as your driver's license. - On hours. The school is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM and again from 3:30 PM into the evening. It is open Saturday from 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM. It is closed Sunday.
- On who runs it. Professor Victor Eduardo Cambas leads the Pembroke Pines school. It is accredited by Valente Brothers, whose main school is in North Miami Beach.
What its website leaves out
- Prices and class times.
- Anything about older students or fitness level. This is the reason it ranks second.
One thing to ask about
Sparring means practicing against a partner who is resisting. The Valente Brothers website says Sparring is an essential part of our training.
Ask how sparring works for a new student your age.
Two schools inside Hollywood
Both are closer to home and both take beginners. Neither website mentions students in their 60s or a course built around self-defense.
Vagner Rocha Martial Arts
6592 Taft St, Hollywood, FL 33024
- The website says:
Beginners do not jump into intense live sparring immediately.
New students first practice set situations with a partner who goes easy. - The first class is free.
- A Google review shown on the website comes from a student who started there at 43, out of shape, with no experience.
- The school also trains people who compete in tournaments.
Rollyson Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
4443 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, FL 33021
- The website says:
Fundamentals and All Levels classes are built for complete beginners, and your first week is free
. - The Fundamentals class meets Tuesday and Thursday from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM.
- The school has been open since 2007.
Three more schools appear in a directory of local schools: Everyone Jiu-Jitsu & Fitness (2585 N Hiatus Rd, Hollywood), Iron Warriors Training Center (1939 Harrison St, Hollywood), and FlowHouse Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (390 E Dania Beach Blvd, Dania Beach). Their own websites were not checked for this report, so they are not ranked here.
The recommendation
Go to Fort Lauderdale Jiu-Jitsu first. Here is why.
- Its website says in plain words that it teaches students in their 60s.
- Its website says you don't need to be in shape to start.
- Its beginner course teaches self-defense, and a former police officer teaches it.
- Your first lesson is private, so you meet the instructor alone before you ever join a group.
Keep Valente Brothers in Pembroke Pines as the second choice. Self-defense is the purpose of the whole school, the beginner course takes people with no experience, and it is open during the day.
What to do next
- Call Fort Lauderdale Jiu-Jitsu at (754) 654-3175 and book the free intro lesson. Say this: "I'm about 60, I've never trained, and I want to learn self-defense. I'd like to book the free intro lesson."
- Wear a t-shirt and shorts or sweatpants. The website says comfortable athletic clothing is all you need for the first lesson.
- At the lesson, ask these four questions.
- How much is it per month, and is there a contract?
- What days and times are the beginner classes?
- How old are the other men in the beginner class?
- When do beginners start sparring, and can I go at my own pace?
- If the price, the schedule, and the drive all work, sign up there. The website says most beginners train 2 to 3 times a week.
- If any one of those three doesn't work, call Valente Brothers in Pembroke Pines at (954) 410-0706 and book the free intro class. Bring something that shows your Hollywood address. Ask the same four questions.
- If both schools are too far, stay in Hollywood. Take the free class at Vagner Rocha Martial Arts or the free week at Rollyson Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and ask the same four questions.
What this research could not confirm
- Prices. None of the four schools lists prices on its website.
- Class times at Fort Lauderdale Jiu-Jitsu and at Valente Brothers in Pembroke Pines.
- How many students at each school are around your age.
The phone call and the free first lesson answer all three.
Sources
- Fort Lauderdale Jiu-Jitsu, home page and questions
- Fort Lauderdale Jiu-Jitsu, adult program
- Valente Brothers, Pembroke Pines
- Valente Brothers, Fighting Foundations beginner course
- Valente Brothers, self-defense and sparring
- Valente Brothers, free class
- Vagner Rocha Martial Arts, how to start
- Vagner Rocha Martial Arts, home page
- Rollyson Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, home page
- Rollyson Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, schedule
- Directory of jiu-jitsu schools in Hollywood, Florida