HomeFloridaLakeland › Carlson Gracie North Lakeland - Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Martial Arts Training, Gym for Kids, Health & Fitness Program

Carlson Gracie North Lakeland - Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Martial Arts Training, Gym for Kids, Health & Fitness Program

4.9 ★★★★★ 90 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Lakeland, Florida

Part of Carlson Gracie

BJJ gym Free trial Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens Competition team

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 — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Women's classes dedicated women's BJJ classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
  • Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule carlsongraciepolkcounty.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (863) 777-0443

Hours

Monday 2–8 PM
Tuesday 2–8 PM
Wednesday 2–8 PM
Thursday 2–8 PM
Friday 2–8 PM
Saturday 10 AM–12 PM
Sunday Closed

Hours shift for holidays, seminars, and open-gym times — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

BJJ classes on the schedule at Carlson Gracie North Lakeland - Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Martial Arts Training, Gym for Kids, Health & Fitness Program, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

📘 Fundamentals 2 mentions

“Carlson Gracie Lakeland teaches BJJ fundamentals daily all the way up to advance levels.”

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🧒 Kids BJJ 20 mentions

“This is an awesome bjj fight gym for kids and adults, my two kids go to attand the after school program and they love and pretty soon my third one will too.”

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💪 Women's BJJ

“I also recently started the women's only jiu jitsu and i am learning slowly myself!”

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🏆 Competition Team 3 mentions

“The training environment at his academy is both welcoming and disciplined, making it an ideal place for practitioners of all levels from complete beginners to seasoned competitors.”

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🛡️ Self-Defense 2 mentions

“Whether you’re looking to compete, get in shape, or simply learn self-defense, this school is an outstanding choice for anyone serious about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.”

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🌱 Beginners 8 mentions

“The training environment at his academy is both welcoming and disciplined, making it an ideal place for practitioners of all levels from complete beginners to seasoned competitors.”

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Other martial arts here

BJJ gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at Carlson Gracie North Lakeland - Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Martial Arts Training, Gym for Kids, Health & Fitness Program — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🦵 Kickboxing

“I enjoy the BJJ , kickboxing and boot camp classes that they offer.”

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🤸 Wrestling

“I had a washed up wrestling background and a love for grappling and this place was what I needed for growth.”

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Disciplines are mined from reviews and the gym's own info — they show what members have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want MMA, muay thai, or wrestling alongside your BJJ, confirm the current schedule with the gym.

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 90 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 6 mentions

“Marc to me is by far one of the best and dare I say the best instructor when it comes to their children’s program.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 11 mentions

“The training environment at his academy is both welcoming and disciplined, making it an ideal place for practitioners of all levels from complete beginners to seasoned competitors.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 18 mentions

“The training environment at his academy is both welcoming and disciplined, making it an ideal place for practitioners of all levels from complete beginners to seasoned competitors.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 4 mentions

“The classes are engaging and well-structured, focusing on both technique and practical application.”

active competition team 6 mentions

“The training environment at his academy is both welcoming and disciplined, making it an ideal place for practitioners of all levels from complete beginners to seasoned competitors.”

🎖️ legit lineage & affiliation 24 mentions

“I have been training at Carlson Gracie Lakeland for over a year and I can honestly say that it is the best decision I ever made.”

From the reviews

My wife and I looked for summer programs that were open in the mist of the 2020 covid shutdown. To our surprise Carlson Gracie Lakeland was still open and in full swing. They offered a safe and clean environment for my son. Fast forward 8 months and he is still going and love grappling with his new friends.

★★★★★ — Michael, Dec 2020

Carlson Gracie South Lakeland changed our son’s life. He was shy and lacked confidence walking in the 1st day. He is starting his 4th month and it’s night and day. He also participates in the summer camp offered by the Team. The coaches' knowledge and care for every student's growth are what distinguish this gym.

★★★★★ — Cypress, Jul 2025

I started training again after taking nearly 8 years off in Carlson Gracie Lakeland and Winter Haven. It’s the friendliest, family-oriented gyms I’ve ever been to, that provide high class training in comfortable environment.

★★★★★ — Nikita, Nov 2020

This gym has been great to us. Definitely happy to be part of this growing establishment. Coach Mark and is Remarkable when training the youth. He definitely knows how to build their confidence and instill good obedience into our youth. Highly highly recommend coming to check us out. You will not be disappointed.

★★★★★ — Anthony, May 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 90 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Carlson Gracie North Lakeland - Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Martial Arts Training, Gym for Kids, Health & Fitness Program

Carlson Gracie North Lakeland - Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Martial Arts Training, Gym for Kids, Health & Fitness Program 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.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first BJJ class at Carlson Gracie North Lakeland - Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Martial Arts Training, Gym for Kids, Health & Fitness Program

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.

BJJ is a contact sport. Ease in, tap early and often, listen to your coaches, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find Carlson Gracie North Lakeland - Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Martial Arts Training, Gym for Kids, Health & Fitness Program

921 Shadow Dr #10, Lakeland, FL33809

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this gym? Claim your listing — it's free.