BJJ GYM REVIEW: ROOTS JIU JITSU, BUENOS AIRES

BJJ GYM REVIEW: ROOTS JIU JITSU, BUENOS AIRES

A newer, community-driven academy bringing a lifestyle-first approach to Jiu-Jitsu in Las Cañitas

Buenos Aires has no shortage of storied BJJ academies, but Roots Jiu Jitsu is carving out its own identity in the leafy, upscale Las Cañitas neighbourhood — one built less around old-school tradition and more around a modern, lifestyle-driven take on the gentle art.

Set inside a purpose-fitted dojo above a weights and fitness gym in Teniente Benjamín Matienzo, Roots pitches itself as one of the newer additions to the local scene, offering structured Gi and No-Gi classes for all levels alongside a complementary strength and conditioning gym — a combination that's designed to make training here feel less like a single class and more like an ongoing lifestyle.

LINEAGE & INSTRUCTORS

Roots is led day-to-day by its head coach Miguel Licitra H., supported by a coaching team the academy describes as active competitors who remain closely involved in the sport. As with any newer academy, it's worth reaching out directly to confirm belt lineage and competition pedigree before you commit to a trial — but the instructional focus, based on the class structure and the gym's own messaging, leans toward accessible, level-appropriate coaching rather than a hardcore competition-only culture.

THE TRAINING EXPERIENCE

Roots splits its week cleanly between Kimono (Gi) and No-Gi sessions, with a dedicated "Jiu Jitsu Basics" slot on Tuesdays and Thursdays aimed squarely at newer students — a nice touch for anyone nervous about jumping straight into mixed-level rolling. There's also an advanced Kimono class on Wednesdays for students looking to sharpen technique at a faster pace.

The philosophy that comes through most clearly on the gym's own materials is "lifestyle" as much as "sport" — Roots frames Jiu-Jitsu explicitly as a discipline for building mindset, resilience, and community, not just technique. That framing, combined with the on-site gym for strength work, suggests an academy aimed at people who want BJJ to be one part of a broader fitness and personal development routine, rather than a purely competition-focused environment.

FACILITIES & ATMOSPHERE

Existing member testimonials single out the quality of the mats ("ideal for injury prevention"), the ease of getting there, and the option to leave your bike on-site — small details, but ones that matter for anyone training regularly in a big city. The addition of an in-house gym to complement the mat work is a genuine point of difference from many academies that only offer the one discipline.

Las Cañitas itself is a well-connected, pleasant part of Buenos Aires, making Roots a reasonably convenient stop for both locals and visiting grapplers exploring the city's BJJ scene alongside more established names.

SCHEDULE & DROP-IN FRIENDLINESS

The weekly timetable runs Monday to Saturday, with Gi classes most mornings and evenings, No-Gi sessions on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, and a dedicated beginners' class twice a week. The gym itself is open 9am–11pm daily for members wanting to train outside class hours. Contact is handled directly via WhatsApp and Instagram (@roots.bjjarg), which makes reaching out about drop-ins or trial classes straightforward — as always, confirm current times and visitor policy directly before you arrive, as schedules can shift.

WHO THIS GYM IS PERFECT FOR

Beginners wanting a dedicated, low-pressure entry point into BJJ

Hobbyists who want strength training and Jiu-Jitsu under one roof

Locals in or around Las Cañitas looking for a convenient, modern academy

Visiting grapplers wanting to sample a newer, community-focused corner of the Buenos Aires scene

THE GENTLE ART GUIDE VERDICT

Roots is a fresh, lifestyle-oriented addition to Buenos Aires' BJJ landscape — strong on accessibility, beginner structure, and the added convenience of an on-site gym, though as a newer academy it hasn't yet built the extensive track record of some of the city's more established names. Worth a visit for anyone prioritising a welcoming, modern training environment.

PRACTICAL INFO

Address: Teniente Benjamín Matienzo 1682, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Instagram: @roots.bjjarg (https://www.instagram.com/roots.bjjarg/) / Head coach: @lyotokid

Contact: roots.bjjarg@gmail.com / WhatsApp +54 9 11 2333-0739

Location: Tte. Benjamín Matienzo 1682 Segundo piso, C1426 Cdad. Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina