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Ballantyne Martial Arts
5 ★★★★★ 84 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Charlotte, North Carolina
Affiliated academy — reviews and the gym's own info point to a recognized BJJ lineage or affiliation (think Gracie Barra, 10th Planet, Renzo Gracie, Alliance, Atos or Checkmat). If lineage matters to you, ask which affiliation the academy belongs to and under whom the head instructor earned their black belt.
Plan your first class
- Free trial or intro class most gyms welcome new members with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
- Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
- Kids & youth classes kids and youth BJJ classes (ages 4–15) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- Private lessons private, one-on-one coaching available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule ballantynemartialarts.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 704-931-8629
Hours
| Monday | 6–9 pm |
| Tuesday | 6–9 pm |
| Wednesday | 6–9 pm |
| Thursday | 6–9 pm |
| Friday | 6–9 pm |
| Saturday | 9 am–2 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“My daughter is been attending SMA from past 3 years and it has really helped her a lot in terms of discipline, building confidence and keeping up with physical activities.”
“In nearly 2 years of attendance, our son's instructors have helped him advance from student karate to teen kickboxing.”
“He did one-on-one evaluations with each of my kids, and welcomed us to come try whatever classes we wanted.”
“We get a GREAT workout during our adult kickboxing classes while learning invaluable self defense techniques.”
“I highly recommend them for learning martial arts, no matter if you are a beginner or have a great amount of experience.”
Other martial arts here
“In nearly 2 years of attendance, our son's instructors have helped him advance from student karate to teen kickboxing.”
“Confidence, knowledge of martial arts, learning how to deal with bullies, learning karate, doing exercises and making life long friendships!”
What members say
“With multiple black belt instructors in multiple martial arts.”
“What started out as us looking for a place for our kids to train has ended with our entrie family training together.”
“The adults that train are all different ages and skill levels which is helpful when learning kickboxing technique.”
“We get a GREAT workout during our adult kickboxing classes while learning invaluable self defense techniques.”
“It's immaculate with comfortable seating so you can watch your child during class. My daughter's confidence has soared!”
“My daughter is been attending SMA from past 3 years and it has really helped her a lot in terms of discipline, building confidence and keeping up with physical activities.”
From the reviews
We have been part of the Sparks Family for about 10 months. We love it there. The instructors are not only interested in helping our kids get better at karate but to also grow into better people. The classes have been great for my kids. We have also done a birthday party at Sparks.
I started Training at Sparks about two years ago with my brother and sister. We all love it so much we're there just about every night! Its such a great environment so many great people everyone's so open and excepting and ready to help.
We LOVE Sparks Martial Arts! We moved from High Point a little over 1 year ago, and were leaving a GREAT martial arts school (Tiger Rock - High Point, owned and run by the Snyders, in case you find yourself moving to High Point/Greensboro). I asked for any really good personal recommendation from Mrs.
My husband and I wanted the kids to learn self-defense, so we signed them up at Sparks Martial Arts. They are getting so much more! Confidence, knowledge of martial arts, learning how to deal with bullies, learning karate, doing exercises and making life long friendships! The teachers are AMAZING!
New to BJJ? Start at Ballantyne Martial Arts
Ballantyne Martial Arts comes up as a beginner-friendly gym — noted on their own site. If you've never rolled or set foot on a mat, 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 coaches scale the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard rolling — reputable gyms build fundamentals (positions, escapes, and basic submissions) for weeks, live rolling eases in gradually, and tapping early keeps every roll safe. Third, 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, and leave your ego at the door. Most gyms are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.
Your first BJJ class at Ballantyne Martial Arts
Nervous about walking into a BJJ gym for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good coaches 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 positions and escapes with a partner — not hard sparring. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: athletic wear you can move in (or a gi if you have one); you'll train barefoot on the mats. What to bring: water and a mouthguard if you have one — many gyms lend a loaner gi for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gi (or a rashguard and shorts for no-gi) and a mouthguard. Live rolling eases in gradually, once your fundamentals are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the coach. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.
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