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Carlson Gracie Winter Haven
5 ★★★★★ 95 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Winter Haven, 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
- 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
- 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
- Open mat open-mat rolling sessions for members to practice live — always optional and at your own pace
- 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) 210-8728
Hours
| Monday | 6–7:30 AM, 9 AM–12 PM, 5–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 6–7:30 AM, 4:30–8:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 6–7:30 AM, 11 AM–12 PM, 5–8 PM |
| Thursday | 6–7:30 AM, 9–10 AM, 4:30–8:30 PM |
| Friday | 6–7:30 AM, 11 AM–12 PM, 5:30–7:30 PM |
| Saturday | 6–7:30 AM |
| Sunday | 9:30 AM–12 PM |
The classes they run
“I have had my son take private lessons and my daughter will be starting soon as well.”
“The women’s classes are empowering, technique-focused, and create a strong sense of community.”
“I have had my son take private lessons and my daughter will be starting soon as well.”
“I did a quick waiver form online, stopped in for an open mat Sunday.”
“Great for self defense, work outs, and a perfect place to get your little ones started!”
Other martial arts here
What members say
“Great coaches, great environment, and a great opportunity to learn a superior fighting style.”
“Everyone is very friendly and welcoming, and there are so many great training partners that genuinely care about you and your safety while training.”
“Everyone is very friendly and welcoming, and there are so many great training partners that genuinely care about you and your safety while training.”
“My 16yr old started with Carolson Gracie last year and today we have an extended family in this gym.”
“I'm grateful everyday that I walked through the door, this gym and BJJ in general have changed my life and I'm so thankful for it.”
From the reviews
My son has been going here for a few months now and I really like it for him the coaches are very nice and the whole team works so good together I can tell just by my son being in there for a few months he is doing better as in it's helping him with discipline and his self confidence..
This gym is beyond amazing. It is more than Jiu-Jitsu, it’s a family. My son gained so much confidence and discipline while practicing. After he passed, the gym hosted an event in his honor, ROLL4COLE, that brings all the families together, as well as, supports another jiu-jitsu family.
I typically don't leave too many reviews but I figured this would help a lot of people in the Winter Haven area. I was recently visiting some family and was looking for a quick fix of BJJ as I frequent approximately 2-3 days of training a week.
Finding this place saved my life. Rafa and Andrew are great mentors and all around great people. Coach Derrick is amazing and has become like a brother to me. It feels like going home when I show up on the mats. I started in 2023 at 45yo and it’s been amazing.
New to BJJ? Start at Carlson Gracie Winter Haven
Carlson Gracie Winter Haven 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 Carlson Gracie Winter Haven
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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