About Golden Jiu Jitsu
A game-based jiu jitsu gym in Golden, Colorado, built on how people actually learn.
Our Story
Golden Jiu Jitsu was founded in Golden, Colorado, with a simple premise: the way most gyms teach grappling doesn't match how humans actually develop skills. We set out to build something different.
Golden Jiu Jitsu is a hybrid eco gym. That means we take what works from sport jiu jitsu and layer in research-backed coaching methods drawn from motor learning science, ecological dynamics, and the constraints-led approach. The goal isn't to win tournaments (though some of our members do). The goal is to develop grapplers who understand the game, enjoy training for years, and are a pleasure to work with on the mats.
We're community-first. Golden is a small mountain town, and GJJ is where Golden trains. The people who walk in are neighbors, coworkers, parents, and friends. That context shapes how we run every class.
How We Coach
Walk into a GJJ class and you won't stand in a line watching a coach demonstrate techniques. You'll play structured grappling games with a training partner, each with specific starting positions, rules, and goals.
Games, not drills
You learn by playing, not by watching. Each game gives you a real problem to solve with a real person. That's how skill sticks.
Concepts, not sequences
We teach you the principles behind why things work, not just step-by-step moves. When you understand the concept, you can figure out new problems on your own.
Both sides of every position
In most classes you'll practice attacking and defending. Passing and guarding. Pinning and escaping. You build a complete picture, not just half of it.
Coaches who study how people learn
Our coaches read the research on motor learning and skill development. They know why games beat drills, and they design class time around maximizing the time you spend playing.
The Team
Our coaches don't just know jiu jitsu. They study how to teach it. That's not a common combination, and it shows in how classes are run.
Avery Lorenzato
Owner and head coach. Brown belt under Rob Biernacki with 9 years on the mats. Avery studied engineering at Colorado School of Mines and works as an IT consultant. He approaches coaching with a systems mindset, integrating instruction from some of the best teachers in the world into structured training programs that accelerate skill development. He built GJJ around the idea that how you teach matters as much as what you teach.
Noah "Smiley"
Noah has been grappling since he was knee high to a grasshopper. His family runs a Gracie Barra gym in Texas, and he is studying Petroleum Engineering at Colorado School of Mines. He brings a lifetime of mat time and an infectious love for the game to every class he coaches.
Huck
Gym dog. Chief morale officer. Will greet you at the door and occasionally wander onto the mats during class. Not technically on the coaching staff, but try telling him that.
Golden, Colorado
Golden sits at the base of the foothills, just west of Denver. It's a small town with a strong sense of place, and GJJ is part of it. The gym has plant-lined windows and natural light, which makes it feel less like a training facility and more like somewhere you actually want to spend time.
We're where Golden trains. If you live or work in Golden, you probably know someone who trains here. Come see why.
Come See for Yourself
The best way to understand GJJ is to train here. Your first class is free.