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Foothills Martial Arts & Gracie Jiu-Jitsu
4.9 ★★★★★ 30 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Maryville, Tennessee
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) — 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 graciefoothills.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 865-446-0031
Hours
| Monday | 9:30 am–7:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 9:30 am–7:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 9:30 am–7:30 pm |
| Thursday | 9:30 am–7:30 pm |
| Friday | 9:30 am–7:30 pm |
| Saturday | 12–4 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“He has a teaching style that is great for kids and adults from beginner to advanced students.”
“Whether you are wanting to learn self defense or be a competitor this is the place for you.”
“Professor Jerry is a top notch instructor whether you're interested in sport jiu-jitsu or self-defense.”
“He has a teaching style that is great for kids and adults from beginner to advanced students.”
Other martial arts here
What members say
“The instructor and students were all very welcoming and nearly everyone tool the initiative to introduce themselves.”
“when I first walked in I loved it and automatically felt like I had become part of an amazing family of great people.”
“Technique demonstration and rolling followed.”
“Whether you are wanting to learn self defense or be a competitor this is the place for you.”
“I highly- without any reservations- recommend Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Foothills to any parent who wants their kid to train, learn, and have fun.”
From the reviews
Started at a different school, but just wasn’t feeling at home. Came to Gracie jiu jitsu foothills and instantly felt like part of the family. Love it here. Great instructors with an incredible amount of knowledge.
My family and I planned a trip to visit the Smokies in June 2022. I emailed the academy in April 2022 to inquire about letting my 10-year-old son train while we were in TN. Professor Jerry responded immediately that they would love to host my son while visiting.
Whether you are wanting to learn self defense or be a competitor this is the place for you. I have known Professor Burns since 2012. He has a teaching style that is great for kids and adults from beginner to advanced students. His lineage goes Helio and Rickson Gracie to Luiz Palhares then Jerry.
Great quality instructors. The real deal. Not like the other school in the area. Real professors of the art A++++
New to BJJ? Start at Foothills Martial Arts & Gracie Jiu-Jitsu
Foothills Martial Arts & Gracie Jiu-Jitsu 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 Foothills Martial Arts & Gracie Jiu-Jitsu
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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🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site