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CTA BJJ MMA
5 ★★★★★ 17 Google reviews · BJJ gym in East Flat Rock, North Carolina
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
- No-gi no-gi grappling classes — training in a rashguard and shorts, with faster scrambles and a natural bridge to MMA
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule ctabjjmma.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (828) 699-4555
Hours
| Monday | 6–10 PM |
| Tuesday | 6–10 PM |
| Wednesday | 6–10 PM |
| Thursday | 6–10 PM |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“It’s pretty small and not intimidating for people who might be brand new, classes are pretty small so the instructors will remember your name.”
Other martial arts here
“They have trained and earned black belts in traditional martial arts (Karate and Taekwondo) along with BJJ.”
What members say
“If anyone may be competing in local competitions, so many from the gym will come to support and coach. One of the best decisions I’ve made to join this gym”
“Love this place, everyone there is very supportive and welcoming and it’s always a great stress reliever and good workout without being dull.”
“Love this place, everyone there is very supportive and welcoming and it’s always a great stress reliever and good workout without being dull.”
“Clean facility, great training partners, and top-level instruction every class.”
From the reviews
I’ve been training at Cross Training Academy for over five years, and it’s been an incredible journey. From day one, I felt welcomed and right at home. As a female, I’ve always felt safe, respected, and comfortable in this supportive environment.
Absolutely outstanding Jiu-Jitsu academy. The instructors are highly knowledgeable, patient and passionate about helping every student improve — whether beginner or advanced. The environment is very welcoming, respectful, and feels like a strong team/family.
After moving to the area, I found this gym through coworkers. Everyone here was warm, welcoming, supportive, and knowledgeable. Everyone is willing to take the time to help with any techniques someone may be struggling with.
CTA has two third degree black belt professors. Both Bryan and Michael Baldwin are very good men with decades of martial arts experience between them. They have trained and earned black belts in traditional martial arts (Karate and Taekwondo) along with BJJ. The environment is laid back, relaxed, welcoming, and fun!
New to BJJ? Start at CTA BJJ MMA
CTA BJJ MMA 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 CTA BJJ MMA
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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