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Charlotte Jiu-Jitsu Academy
5 ★★★★★ 171 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 4–12) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- Women's classes dedicated women's BJJ classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
- No-gi no-gi grappling classes — training in a rashguard and shorts, with faster scrambles and a natural bridge to MMA
- 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 charlotte-bjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 980-999-0255
Hours
| Monday | 6:45–8 am, 12–1:30 pm, 4:30–7:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 6:45–8 am, 12–1:30 pm, 4:30–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 6:45–8 am, 12–1:30 pm, 4:30–7:30 pm |
| Thursday | 6:45–8 am, 12–1:30 pm, 4:30–8 pm |
| Friday | 6:45–8 am, 12–1:30 pm, 4:30–7 pm |
| Saturday | 9 am–12 pm |
| Sunday | 11 am–1 pm |
The classes they run
“I came by twice for noon classes (Gi and no-gi) and was Instantly welcomed and felt right at home with everyone training.”
“I came by twice for noon classes (Gi and no-gi) and was Instantly welcomed and felt right at home with everyone training.”
“If you’re looking for a place to train, whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced competitor, I can honestly say this is one of the best academies you could choose.”
“I have visted Charlotte Jujitsu Academy open mats on many occasions and Its always impressive the level of talent this room holds has on any given weekend.”
“I attended multiple classes with Eli Knight as the instructor and had a great time learning details on some things I had trained previously as well as many brand new techniques.”
“Family friendly environment, they also have a kids program.”
What members say
“I attended multiple classes with Eli Knight as the instructor and had a great time learning details on some things I had trained previously as well as many brand new techniques.”
“If you’re looking for a place to train, whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced competitor, I can honestly say this is one of the best academies you could choose.”
“The instruction is outstanding, the atmosphere is welcoming, and everyone is encouraged to grow both on and off the mats.”
“I attended multiple classes with Eli Knight as the instructor and had a great time learning details on some things I had trained previously as well as many brand new techniques.”
“If you’re looking for a place to train, whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced competitor, I can honestly say this is one of the best academies you could choose.”
“Environment was very welcoming, clean and spacious with good size classes and mat.”
From the reviews
Visited the week of Jan. 13th 2026. Environment was very welcoming, clean and spacious with good size classes and mat. Each training partner I worked with was nice and also a pleasure to train and roll with.
When I first came to CJJA in 2017, I was a brown belt visiting the academy. From day one, Coach John Piper welcomed me with open arms and treated me like I was already part of the team. Now, few years later as a black belt, nothing has changed.
Charlotte Jiu-Jitsu Academy is more than just a place to train it’s a place that truly feels like home. The instruction is outstanding, the atmosphere is welcoming, and everyone is encouraged to grow both on and off the mats.
I’ve been training here since August 2023, and I still remember how nervous I was walking into my first class. From day one, I was paired with people I still roll with today—everyone is incredibly friendly, welcoming, and helpful.
New to BJJ? Start at Charlotte Jiu-Jitsu Academy
Charlotte Jiu-Jitsu Academy 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 Charlotte Jiu-Jitsu Academy
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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