HomeNorth CarolinaSpring Lake › Diego Ramalho Brazilian Jiu Jitsu NC

Diego Ramalho Brazilian Jiu Jitsu NC

4.6 ★★★★★ 130 Google reviews · Judo dojo in Spring Lake, North Carolina

Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Newaza Competition

Plan your first class

  • Free trial or intro class most dojos welcome new members with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
  • Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
  • Kids & youth classes kids and youth judo classes — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Women's classes dedicated women's judo classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
  • Newaza newaza (groundwork) classes — judo's mat game of pins, holds, and controls, and a natural bridge to Brazilian jiu-jitsu
  • Open mat open-mat randori sessions for members to practice live — always optional and at your own pace
  • Competition a competition team for members who want to test themselves in shiai (tournaments)
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule diegoramalhobjjsl.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (910) 491-7959

Hours

Monday 6–7 AM, 9–10:30 AM, 4:40–8:30 PM
Tuesday 4:10–9 PM
Wednesday 6–7 AM, 4:10–9 PM
Thursday 4:10–9 PM
Friday 6–7 AM, 5–7:30 PM
Saturday 11 AM–1 PM
Sunday Closed

Hours shift for holidays, seminars, and open-mat times — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

Judo classes on the schedule at Diego Ramalho Brazilian Jiu Jitsu NC, confirmed in members' own reviews and the dojo's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🌱 Beginners 3 mentions

“He takes the time to explain techniques in detail and ensures that everyone, from beginners to advanced students, is improving.”

All dojos that run beginners →

🧒 Kids Judo 34 mentions

“My daughter enjoys being part of the team because of the positive and uplifting environment that Professor Pedro and all the coaches provide.”

All dojos that run kids judo →

🏆 Competition (Shiai) 6 mentions

“My daughter became a Blue Belt after training Judo/Brazilian Jiujitsu at this academy and winning a couple of tournaments.”

All dojos that run competition (shiai) →

Other martial arts here

Judo dojos are often multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at Diego Ramalho Brazilian Jiu Jitsu NC — mined from their reviews and the dojo's own info.

🥋 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu 28 mentions

“My husband and I are very thankful and feel blessed to be part of this jiu jitsu training facility and to watch our daughter grow, learn and thrive in a healthy environment.”

Other dojos that also teach brazilian jiu-jitsu →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the dojo's own info — they show what members have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want BJJ, wrestling, or sambo alongside your judo, confirm the current schedule with the dojo.

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 130 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 2 mentions

“Professor Pedro is an incredible instructor—his passion for BJJ is infectious, and he manages to balance discipline with a fun, engaging atmosphere that my kids thrived in.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 4 mentions

“He takes the time to explain techniques in detail and ensures that everyone, from beginners to advanced students, is improving.”

🤝 respectful, no-ego dojo 13 mentions

“The instructors are incredible with the kids - patient, encouraging, and passionate about teaching BJJ fundamentals in a fun, supportive environment.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 10 mentions

“The instructors are incredible with the kids - patient, encouraging, and passionate about teaching BJJ fundamentals in a fun, supportive environment.”

🔥 great workout & conditioning 2 mentions

“I have improved my health and conditioning along the way too a level that I did not imagine and Professor Lucas is the biggest part of this achievement.”

🧒 strong kids program 8 mentions

“My husband and I are very thankful and feel blessed to be part of this jiu jitsu training facility and to watch our daughter grow, learn and thrive in a healthy environment.”

From the reviews

I’ve been training at Diego Ramalho bjj in spring lake for the past 3 years , and it’s been an incredible experience. The head professer, Pedro, is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

★★★★★ — Aleydie, Feb 2025

I have been training at ZR team Spring Lake for the last three years. I have a complicated work schedule that limits my time for regular training. Professor Diego worked with me in the beginning before introducing me to Professors Gui and Professor Lucas. They understood my desire to compete and be competitive.

★★★★★ — Jerome, Jun 2024

Leaving this review with a heavy heart! My kids and I absolutely loved our time at Diego Ramalho Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. From day one, we were welcomed into what truly feels like a family.

★★★★★ — Carlos, Dec 2025

I’m really impressed with my sons’ progress in Jiu-Jitsu/ Judo. The class is not only a great workout, but it also helps them build discipline and confidence. The instructors are fantastic — patient, supportive, and great at teaching the techniques in a way that’s easy to understand.

★★★★★ — Alexandria, Dec 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 130 reviews →

New to judo? Start at Diego Ramalho Brazilian Jiu Jitsu NC

Diego Ramalho Brazilian Jiu Jitsu NC comes up as a beginner-friendly dojo — noted on their own site. If you've never stepped on a mat, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or flexible to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and sensei scale the intensity to you. Second, you'll start by learning to fall safely (ukemi) — reputable dojos build fundamentals (breakfalls, grips, a first throw and some groundwork) for weeks, live randori eases in gradually, and tapping early keeps everyone safe. Third, all levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out, and remember to bow in and show respect (rei). Most dojos are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first judo class at Diego Ramalho Brazilian Jiu Jitsu NC

Nervous about walking into a judo dojo for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good sensei expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, learning to fall safely (ukemi), then drilling a throw or two and some groundwork with a partner — not hard randori. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: athletic wear you can move in (or a judogi if you have one); you'll train barefoot on the mats. What to bring: water and a mouthguard if you have one — many dojos lend a loaner judogi for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own judogi. Live randori eases in gradually, once your fundamentals are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the sensei. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.

Judo is a contact sport. Ease in, tap early and often, listen to your sensei, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find Diego Ramalho Brazilian Jiu Jitsu NC

1115 N Bragg Blvd, Spring Lake, NC28390

Get directions

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this dojo? Claim your listing — it's free.