My whole family has taken classes here. Very clean and professional. I immediately loved how welcoming, fun, and positive this place is..All of the coaches are great. My kids have their favorites but love all of them. There’s no clique-y behavior. This is a very community orientated gym with everyone supporting each other; behavior of which owners John and Sam quietly model. My son has absolutely thrived in BJJ, my daughter in muy thai, and my spouse and I always feel encouraged to join in as well.I am convinced every kid/teen absolutely needs BJJ now. So good for them. If you’re looking for a gym that pushes your growth while encouraging confidence, and offers a genuine community, this is the place.

My son started here about a year ago and he loves it. He has learned so much from all the coaches. They are all wonderful and caring and they love jiujitsu. They help the kids in every way they can. They coach them in class, during competitions, cheer them on and are their greatest supporters. It’s really a family environment. We have made some good friends here. Schell Schock is an excellent school and I highly recommend!

If you are live in or near Fuquay-Varina, Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Holly Springs or anywhere else close then go, right now go, down to Schell Shock BJJ! John Schell LOVES Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and more than that he loves to help kids, women and men get in shape, have fun and learn an incredible self defense art! Simply the BEST!

John Schell is a thorough, patient, and supportive coach/professor. A school serious enough to prepare you for competitions, while being welcoming to novices. Everyone at our gym has a great attitude and camaraderie, which is another testament to the culture John and the other assistants have created. I’ve been very pleased to call this my BJJ home for more than a year and a half.

I have trained at multiple different MMA gyms over the past 10 years off an on, and the atmosphere at Schell Shock BJJ is definitely one of the best gyms that I have ever been a part of. Some gyms are good for beginners, but once you get to a certain level there is no on there to push you to become better. Some other gyms are super aggressive to the point that everyday you would be training hard with someone that competes in tournaments frequently, and it can become very difficult to keep up. At Schell Shock BJJ there is a very good mixture of students at multiple different levels ranging from white belt all the way up to brown belt. Then at each of these different levels there are multiple people that train easy just for fun and the love of the art, but there are also people that train and compete competitively that can push you without causing injuries. There is also more than one black belt instructor there who typically teaches, trains, and competes also. Then to top it all off, not only is the level of instruction and the ability to fit in at any level of experience a great value; At Schell Shock BJJ you really feel like you can become part of a family. John is a great instructor, but even more importantly he is a great person that makes you feel welcome and comfortable, but he will also push you to be as good as you want to be. He also believes in treating all of his students like family, and that attitude is shared among all of his students. I love this gym and I wouldn't want to train anywhere else for BJJ.

What a great place to learn BJJ! My son has been going for a little over a year and everyone is so welcoming and such a family atmosphere! All the coaches are so good with the kids and John and Sam Schell are the best people!

High Level Jiu jitsu with a great family vibe. Weather you want to learn Self Defense, Striking Arts, or Jiu jitsu they have what you need here. Even if you have a limitation they have the patience to work with you. Try a Free Trial ..

I was terribly upset about leaving my gym in Japan. I checked out a few areas and didn’t like the training well enough to pay the money. 5 years later, I was introduced to Schell Shock and I couldn’t have been happier. The training is intense, the people are amazing and welcoming, the owner and his wonderful wife are incredible. I was worried about a softened training environment that just hands out promotions for profit. This place is honorable in how they promote. We drive out of our way, the ONLY downfall we have with this gym, but I refuse to go to another gym just to save on miles. This has become my family, my second home, my therapy.

I stopped in on a Friday lunch class open mat and I had a great time. It was my first time frequenting this gym and I will definitely be back. The gym is super clean and organized and there’s designated changing areas. Everyone was super friendly and nice. I felt like I was at my home gym. The Jiujitsu is legit and everyone gave me a good, solid roll. I highly recommend John and his gym to anyone in the Fuquay-Varina and the surrounding areas.

Could not have asked for a better coach and team to be a part of. Now training going on 6 strong and no turning back. John teaching some amazing Juijitsu at his school with and emphasis on takedowns through Judo techs and wrestling.

My son has been going here for 5 months now. Watching the transformation in him has been pure joy. He was born underweight and in very poor health, so much so the doctors told my wife and I, that he would most likely not be able to compete in any sports. From 2 chest tubes and life support at 3 weeks old to joining Schell Shock at 6 years old, he is now doing pull ups and push ups like a pro, as well as becoming more skilled in BJJ. I cannot recommend this place enough. He adores all of his coaches (especially Thomas) and is making new friends. Professor John and crew are excellent role models. The Adults as well as the older kids also help the little ones get better. Truly an amazing place that lives by its moto, "Not all Family is blood."

Schell Shock BJJ has been an amazing experience for me for a number of years. The gym is welcoming to all skill levels. Everyone can learn something. I started here because I wanted to get back in shape and compete, but I stay because of the awesome community and people that I am able to train with.

This gym is wonderful! My daughter started there 3 months ago and it has been such a great experience. The teachers are knowledgeable, friendly and encouraging. Safety is always a priority and it is a real gym; they aren’t there to babysit your kids and give them a participation trophy, they are teaching them true skills and challenging them to be the best they can be!

Schell Shock has been such a positive experience for my husband. At 52, he’s in the best shape ever thanks to the path he ventured down with the team at Schell Shock. And it’s not just the physical results; there’s so much more to it. Check it out for yourself! All of the coaches are stellar, both in the physical and mental sides of Jiu Jitsu. I highly recommend this place for adults, teens, and kids who want to challenge themselves and become a part of a great team of people.

Good vibes, good BJJ!

Training here with my son has allowed me to connect with him in a way I’ve never experienced. You will be welcome from Day 1, there are no egos here. Gym is kept clean and the staff is professional, patient and encouraging.

I can’t say enough about how great the experience has been at Schell Shock BJJ. John and Sam Schell have truly built something special here. From the moment you walk in, you feel the welcoming presence and genuine interest they have in everyone’s development. The coaches are top-notch, always encouraging you to push yourself while making sure you’re progressing safely. The community they’ve fostered is incredible—everyone supports each other, whether you’re just starting out or have been training for years. If you’ve been curious about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or are looking for a place to train, Schell Shock is where you want to be. It’s more than just a gym; it’s a place where you can stay active, improve, and be part of a great team.

I just moved to the area and came here to pick jiu jitsu back up after having a baby. I couldn't have found a more welcoming and supportive gym. There are tons of women who show up every night to train so there's always someone to train with! Coaches support athletes in their goals whether it be training or competing. The owners go to nearly every single competition their students sign up for! They also have muay thai kickboxing, and kids classes.

We can not say enough about Shell Shock Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The coaches and members were welcoming from day one. They go above and beyond, daily and seemingly effortlessly, which we believe is a symptom of doing something you love. If you want a grassroots Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu club, come train at Schell School!

Great group of people coming together to get better at a very difficult sport. Many people patiently training the kids as well. My daughter loves it here and I do too. Thinking about BJJ. Join this gym with confidence.

I love all the guys at this gym. Not only is the instructor very knowledgeable, the people he trains are friendly and welcoming. I have been training for 2.5-3 years and every time I come for open mat the remember me and are more than happy to help me improve my game. I’d highly recommend this gym to anyone!

Schell Shock is an amazing gym, the coaches are extremely kind and knowledgeable, and the atmosphere is incredible. I could not recommend this gym enough.

My family’s experience with Schell Shock Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has been better than we could have hoped. We had looked into and visited other gyms, but John & Sam were the most honest, knowledgeable, helpful, and accommodating. After we explained what we were looking for, John immediately explained how his BJJ program focuses on strengthening both individual and social building/balancing for my family’s physical, psychological, mental and social wellbeing. Unlike other gyms, John showed genuine interest in what was best for us, rather than what was most profitable for his gym. John was able to explain in understandable terms, not only what benefits BJJ offers, but also showed genuine care for each individual in the program and the respect they all share. 2 years ago, we made our decision to enroll at Schell Shock BJJ. To watch what John’s words said in the beginning become action has been amazing. I watched the transformation carry over in our family dynamics. Strengthening…building/balancing our family’s wellbeing: Physically. Psychologically. Mentally. We highly recommend family friends or anyone to join Schell Shock BBJ… Where words become results!

A great atmosphere that inspires growth by working through challenges and demonstrating the power of commitment, knowledge and practice. Schell Shock has been wonderful for our family. Thank you!

Schell Shock continues to impress me. With their high level instruction to simplifying it to small bits of information. Great atmosphere all around, beginner friendly yet still continuously challenge the consistent grappler. Great job team Schell Shock!!!

I got to this jiu jitsu gym in January 2023 and was immediately impressed. The coaches and team fully welcomed me with open arms from day one and continue to do so day after day. If you’re looking for QUALITY, this is the place to train. They are in the process of expanding the training area, which will make the environment that much better. 10/10

This gym, has the most outstanding instructors that I have encountered in the many years that I have been training. Competition training or beginner all are always welcome. I'm proud to call the people in this gym my family and my home. I hope you look them up and check them out. I wasn't disappointed at all...

I've been training at Schell Shock for a few years. It is a place where people train seriously, but we have a good time. There is a camaraderie among the students - we push each other to improve, and lift each other up. The professor encourages students to develop their BJJ to their maximum potential, and he is a big advocate of attending tournaments. You can also train Muay Thai and self defense... all included in your membership.

Every time I visit this academy I am impressed. This is an amazing place to train Jiu Jitsu and everyone is positive, encouraging, and you immediately feel welcome and can tell the Coaches genuinely care about helping everyone. They are organized and emphasize helping everyone learn safely and with great detail so you can get the most out of what you are learning. I travel all over the country and visit academies frequently, and I have to say, if you are anywhere near here, this is the place to train.

I write many reviews on places and writing this review for here hits home to Me. We were looking for a place for our daughter to not only train at but also to feel welcomed and call it home for her. After doing some checking around I spoke with owner John and with a simple conversation I knew we found the right place. When we walked in for my daughter's first day she was nervous but immediately jumped in. She was met by the instructors with open arms. They took 1 on 1 time with her. All the instructors are amazing. To list a few theres instructor John, Sarah, lan and thomas. But not only are these instructors amazing, there are also many students of John who come to the kids class and volunteer their time to help out. This says alot about the love and fellowship they share. The time the instructors take to make sure the kids understand the task and break down the moves is top notch. While the kids are practicing their skills, the instructors are walking around the room watching and coming to their aids when they need help, sitting down with each student patiently going step by step. My daughter loves to go to class not only for the class and instructors but also for the friendships she developed here. If your looking for a place to call home then look no further. Trust me when I say your child will leave with smiles. The words I express about this place is only a small representation of the joy I feel for this place.

My teenage boys and I started training here last fall. Love the place, great instructors for BJJ, MuayThai, and kickboxing. We personally train in BJJ with them. Very beginner friendly, welcoming place, that slow things down and explain everything every step of the way. They also have some excellent high level grapplers as well. So much knowledge, experience and they are willing to help everyone grow to the best of their abilities. Keep up the great work!

Nearly two years ago I walked through these doors. I came in with a significant leg problem many would think would mean I couldn’t train. John and all the upper belts treated me like a member of their family. They exhibited great leadership. They were patient with me, despite my age, general deconditioning and total lack of grappling experience. I owe them a great deal for the positive changes in my life.

Schell Shock BJJ has been amazing for our family! My kids have grown confidence and respect through the classes as well as amazing jiu jitsu training. Every single coach they have had has personally come along side them and shown the perfect amount of care and instruction. They travel to coach them in tournaments and cheer them on no matter what. I am so thankful we found John and this awesome team.

I trained at Schell Shock for roughly 4 years, and it was an excellent experience. Top-tier BJJ training on top of a very welcoming and friendly atmosphere. All the coaches and staff are very knowledgeable, kind, and genuinely care about your success on the mat and in life. 10/10, would highly recommend!

My kids do Jiu Jitsu at Schell Shock in Fuquay-Varina. They love the sport and the atmosphere. The coaches are engaged, supportive, and knowledgeable. My kids are learning discipline, self-defense, and gaining confidence. Highly recommend!

It's really encouraging when you meet with a staff and a group of people like the one's at Schell Shock BJJ. There is clearly a tremendous amount of knowledge and willingness to teach here. No bravado or ego at this gym. Real teamwork and solid explanation of a martial art that is not easy. Love the team and new space, thanks!