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Carlson Gracie Orlando North
5 ★★★★★ 21 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Sanford, Florida
Part of Carlson Gracie
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 4–14) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule sanfordmartialarts.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 407-431-0869
Hours
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 7–9 pm |
| Wednesday | Closed |
| Thursday | 7–9 pm |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 1–3 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“They have programs for everyone from kids, to beginner's to advanced, both men and ladies Jiu-jitsu and also Kickboxing.”
“One wants to feel comfortable (probably especially as a woman) and all the girls are really sweet yet serious about the martial art.”
“It's a great place for beginners, casual practitioners and competitors (the school has a few).”
“It's a great place to meet interesting people and make new experiences, oh and learn the most effective self defense system on the planet.”
“They have programs for everyone from kids, to beginner's to advanced, both men and ladies Jiu-jitsu and also Kickboxing.”
Other martial arts here
“been through a few MMA schools, but this one is by far one of the best in the area.”
“They have programs for everyone from kids, to beginner's to advanced, both men and ladies Jiu-jitsu and also Kickboxing.”
What members say
“With highly knowledgeable instructors who would love to help you reach your personal goals and multiple classes through out the day that help fit into your schedule.”
“They have programs for everyone from kids, to beginner's to advanced, both men and ladies Jiu-jitsu and also Kickboxing.”
“I contacted them ahead of time and Dillon (owner/head instructor/resident bjj black belt) was very friendly and invited me to stop in.”
“Instruction was presented well and easy to follow with good details and tweaking of technique.”
“It's a great place for beginners, casual practitioners and competitors (the school has a few).”
“Before starting at Cogito/Carlson Gracie Orlando North I had been training various martial on an off for 16 years and I've haven't seen better instructors.”
From the reviews
Before starting at Cogito/Carlson Gracie Orlando North I had been training various martial on an off for 16 years and I've haven't seen better instructors. They are very effective at breaking down the most complex movement making it accessible to everyone. The school is extremely friendly, open, and family orientated.
Hey Everyone...been through a few MMA schools, but this one is by far one of the best in the area. They have programs for everyone from kids, to beginner's to advanced, both men and ladies Jiu-jitsu and also Kickboxing. Its newer and super clean.
Joining Carlson Gracie North has been amazing for me and my whole family. I spent years wanting to try Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu but between raising kids and work I didn't want the extra stress. I finally decided to try their 3 week trial and what I found was this gym is actually a stress reliever.
Great school for BJJ. Professor Dillon is a great source of knowledge in the area. Awesome environment and family oriented. Best place to train in the area. for sure!
New to BJJ? Start at Carlson Gracie Orlando North
Carlson Gracie Orlando North comes up as a beginner-friendly gym, going by their listing and members’ reviews. 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 Carlson Gracie Orlando North
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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Cogito Jiu Jitsu
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