Martial Arts in Laurel, MD
We built this gym for people who are just starting out. That is still who we are built for.
Clear coaching. Real progress. Most people here started exactly where you are.
What Sets Us Apart
Here is what you will find when you train here.
We teach you why it works, not just what to do.
Here you learn why moves work, not just how to do them. You are not just copying what someone else does. You are learning how to think on the mat. That is what keeps people coming back.
Working adults and parents who want something real.
Most people who train here did not start as athletes. They wanted something harder than a regular gym. Something that took real focus and got better the more they put into it.
Every technique comes with a reason.
Not just how to do it. But why it works, when to use it, and what it sets up. That is what makes students get better faster than they thought they would.
Walking in for the first time can feel scary. We know that.
That is why we welcome you by name. You will be shown what to do in class so you always know what is happening. You will train with people who remember what it felt like to be new. Most of them were not that long ago.
Head Instructor
Kenneth Brown
3rd Degree Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt
Kenneth earned his black belt in 2013. He started coaching long before that and never stopped. Figuring out how to explain things clearly was just as interesting to him as the art. You can see how he thinks at kennethbrownbjj.com.
That is still what drives him. Students who have trained with him for years say that is the thing that kept them coming back. He is especially good at helping people with no experience understand what they are doing and why.
The Coaching Team
Every coach here was chosen because they know how to teach.
Matthew Weinberg
Matthew has been training and coaching for more than twenty years. He is calm and careful, and he makes hard details easy to understand. Students who need more time with a new idea do well with him.
Yemi Day
Yemi has trained martial arts since 1991 in several different styles, including boxing. He competed in the first official Muay Thai fight in Maryland in 2024. His classes are focused and well-organized. They make you better whether you ever want to compete or not.
Becca Niburg
Becca started training in 2015 and went on to compete at the highest levels of the sport. She built the Women’s Only program at 2nd Gear. She wanted other women to have a place where they feel welcome. Her coaching is built around making sure every student knows they belong here.
Rodney Caldwell
Rodney coaches the kids program. He keeps young students interested and pushed at the same time. He knows that kids learn differently from adults and teaches in a way that works for them. Parents notice the change in their child’s focus and confidence.
If You Are Thinking About Starting
You do not need to be in shape. You do not need experience. You do not need to prepare. You just need to start.
2nd Gear BJJ
Prince Georges County
8730 Cherry Ln, Suite 14
Laurel, MD 20707
Driving Directions
Email: [email protected]
Call Today! (240) 786-5553
Our Mission