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Marcelo Garcia CT Association
4.9 ★★★★★ 47 Google reviews · Taekwondo school in Bridgeport, Connecticut
Plan your first class
- Free trial or intro class most schools welcome new students with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
- Membership memberships run around $250/mo — many schools also offer a discounted first month and family plans, so ask about new-student rates
- Kids & teens classes kids and teens taekwondo classes — built around discipline, focus, confidence, and anti-bully skills
- Beginner-friendly all ages and levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
- Competition & demo team a competition and demonstration team for students who want to test themselves at tournaments and events
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule mgctbjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 203-522-5880
Hours
| Monday | 11:30 am–9:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 11:30 am–9:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 11:30 am–9:30 pm |
| Thursday | 11:30 am–9:30 pm |
| Friday | 11:30 am–9:30 pm |
| Saturday | 9:30 am–12 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“I am very happy with them, my son has only been training with them for 4 months and he has already won his first gold medal.”
“We started with our two smallest kids age 3&4 (now 5&6), then added our 6&8 (now 8&10) year olds.”
Other martial arts here
“Now that my youngest son (3yrs old) is enrolled it definitely gives me peace of mind that his teachers are not just jiu jitsu practitioners but also childcare providers.”
What students say
“The environment is welcoming, supportive, and family-friendly.”
“A real sense of community is there, with the instructors knowing each child by name, skill, and ability.”
“Phenomenal and very detail oriented instructors who are present day in and day out.”
“From the high level training partners, all of whom always do extraordinarily well at competitions, to the joking and easy going nature of everyone there.”
“Very clean, friendly and organized environment with a bilingual staff and wonderful coaches!”
“My experience at Marceo Garcia Association has given me special appreciation for the martial arts, a strong self-discipline, along with self-gratitude!”
From the reviews
Been training here for the past 2 years and there doesn't exist a better environment in Connecticut. From the high level training partners, all of whom always do extraordinarily well at competitions, to the joking and easy going nature of everyone there...this gym is a true hidden gem.
The Marcelo Garcia Jiu Jitsu Association in Bridgeport has been a blessing from day one. We started with our two smallest kids age 3&4 (now 5&6), then added our 6&8 (now 8&10) year olds. They love it! The instructors are amazing with the kids. A fun environment but disciplined, focused on child and skills development.
“My son has been attending classes here and absolutely loves it. The instructors are patient, knowledgeable, and do a great job teaching Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in a way that keeps kids engaged and motivated. Since starting, I’ve seen improvements in his confidence, discipline, and fitness.
The facilities are spotless, and the instructor really knows his stuff. I trained here last year before leaving the state for work, but now that I'm back in CT, I can't wait to hit the mats again. See you on the mat!
New to taekwondo? Start at Marcelo Garcia CT Association
Marcelo Garcia CT Association comes up as a beginner-friendly school, going by their listing and students’ reviews. If you've never trained or set foot in a dojang, 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 instructors scale the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard sparring — reputable schools build fundamentals (stances, blocks, kicks, and basic forms) for weeks, sparring eases in gradually and with gear on, and instructors keep it controlled and safe. Third, all ages and all levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or fundamentals class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out. Most schools are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.
Your first taekwondo class at Marcelo Garcia CT Association
Nervous about walking into a taekwondo school for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good instructors expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling basic stances, blocks, and kicks with a partner or on pads — not hard sparring. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: loose athletic wear you can move in (or a dobok if you have one); you'll train barefoot on the floor. What to bring: water and a positive attitude — many schools lend a loaner dobok for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll get your own dobok and belt, and sparring gear (mouthguard, headgear, and guards) once you begin sparring. Sparring eases in gradually, once your fundamentals and forms are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the instructor. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.
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