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Cornelius Jiu-Jitsu Academy
5 ★★★★★ 50 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Cornelius, 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 — 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
- 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 corneliusjiujitsu.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (704) 550-1268
Hours
| Monday | 6:30 AM–8:45 PM |
| Tuesday | 12–8:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 6:30 AM–8:45 PM |
| Thursday | 12–8:30 PM |
| Friday | 6:30 AM–7 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM–1 PM |
| Sunday | 10 AM–12 PM |
The classes they run
“My daughter has been training here for over 6 months now, and we are very happy.”
“I was in town for the week visiting family and stopped by the gym for the Tuesday Noon No-Gi class and the Thursday 6:45 No-Gi class.”
“I was in town for the week visiting family and stopped by the gym for the Tuesday Noon No-Gi class and the Thursday 6:45 No-Gi class.”
“I can tell you as a Black Belt who travels to a ton of academies, and was a regular competitor, the crew at CJJ are knowledgeable practitioners who have created an awesome vibe.”
“As a complete beginner, I’ve been doing private lessons with Coach Brian and have already learned so much.”
“I haven't had a normal schedule for the past few months, but I have been going to the open mats on Saturdays when I can.”
“Weather you're looking for self defense for you kiddos or want competition prep for yourself.”
“The instructors are incredible – they’re passionate, highly skilled, and genuinely committed to each student's growth, whether you're a total beginner or have years of experience.”
Other martial arts here
What members say
“The staff (Coach Brian and Coach Josh) are great at teaching and work with students one on one.”
“It's always scary to walk into a gym for the first time, but these guys and the people who attend are so welcoming.”
“I was in town for the week visiting family and stopped by the gym for the Tuesday Noon No-Gi class and the Thursday 6:45 No-Gi class.”
“Typically at the end of class when we roll, they are more than willing to spend time on the mat helping you learn or work through a technique or position.”
“I can tell you as a Black Belt who travels to a ton of academies, and was a regular competitor, the crew at CJJ are knowledgeable practitioners who have created an awesome vibe.”
“If you're looking for a place that is family-friendly, has first-class instructors with a TON of patience, and is super clean.”
From the reviews
If you're looking for a place that is family-friendly, has first-class instructors with a TON of patience, and is super clean... this is it. I've tried 5 different places around the area and this one is (by far) the best in all categories. You ready?? Let's GOOOOOOO
Great coaches, and the best association in town, Pedro Sauer Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Chaz and Alan (owners and operators) have done an amazing job with this location, it's brand new and beautiful. I've been training here for several months now, and it I love every class.
We’ve been training here for about a year. The staff (Coach Brian and Coach Josh) are great at teaching and work with students one on one. Typically at the end of class when we roll, they are more than willing to spend time on the mat helping you learn or work through a technique or position.
Cornelius Jiu Jitsu is without a doubt the best gym in the area. the energy is welcoming and supportive, making you feel right at home. The instructors are incredible – they’re passionate, highly skilled, and genuinely committed to each student's growth, whether you're a total beginner or have years of experience.
New to BJJ? Start at Cornelius Jiu-Jitsu Academy
Cornelius 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 Cornelius 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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