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Empowered Martial Arts & Gracie Humaita Jiu Jitsu Tampa
5 ★★★★★ 67 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Tampa, Florida
Part of Gracie Humaitá
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 6–12) — 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 tampamartialarts.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (813) 749-6075
Hours
| Monday | 12–8:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 12–8:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 12–8:30 PM |
| Thursday | 12–8:30 PM |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 8 AM–1 PM |
| Sunday | 9:30–11 AM |
The classes they run
“This deep traditional foundation, combined with his high-level certification in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, ensures that the instruction is both practical and technically precise.”
“The staff (Sempai Gage and Renshi Zack) are kind, professional and have a healthy way of interacting with kids.”
“It is a family-oriented gym with dedicated, high-quality programs for kids, teens, and adults.”
“Whether you’re just in it as a hobbyist or if you really wanna compete and fold some jiujitsu players in a tournament.”
“We've seen improvements in his behavior and his confidence is being built while he learns self defense skills.”
“Jiu Jitsu is brand new to me and completely outside of my comfort zone and admittedly when I arrived at my first free trial class, I was actually pretty terrified to walk in.”
What members say
“Great coaching and staff!”
“This community has not only made me feel welcome and supported, I feel belonging.”
“The Empowered Martial Arts team and the families we have met all feel like extended family, and we're so glad that we decided to enroll our kids in this program!”
“Empowered Martial Arts has been transformative for my kids. They have developed confidence and discipline since joining the program.”
“Whether you’re just in it as a hobbyist or if you really wanna compete and fold some jiujitsu players in a tournament.”
From the reviews
October 2025: It's been 3 years and 6 months of training with Empowered Martial Arts and Jiu Jitsu and this place keeps leveling up. One coach left and two new coaches came in.
We have been enrolled with Empowered Martial Arts for 1 YEAR now and we are loving it. John Geyston and his team of instructors are great to be around and they are fantastic with the kids. We love bringing our kids here and us!! #amazing
Our son loves it here! We've seen improvements in his behavior and his confidence is being built while he learns self defense skills. The staff (Sempai Gage and Renshi Zack) are kind, professional and have a healthy way of interacting with kids.
We absolutely love Empowered Martial Arts! My children continuously learn discipline, defense, and have so much fun while doing it. Hanshi John and Sempai Gage are phenomenal instructors.
New to BJJ? Start at Empowered Martial Arts & Gracie Humaita Jiu Jitsu Tampa
Empowered Martial Arts & Gracie Humaita Jiu Jitsu Tampa 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 Empowered Martial Arts & Gracie Humaita Jiu Jitsu Tampa
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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