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Gracie 717
5 ★★★★★ 29 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Lancaster, Pennsylvania
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
- 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
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule gracie717.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (717) 889-6613
Hours
| Monday | 5–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 6 AM–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 5–9 PM |
| Thursday | 6 AM–9 PM |
| Friday | 5–9 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM–1 PM |
| Sunday | 11 AM–1 PM |
The classes they run
“Kids learn discipline and respect, adults get in shape without getting bored, and everyone walks away feeling like a slightly upgraded human being.”
“They somehow manage to teach total beginners, seasoned competitors, and that one guy who shows up wearing gym shorts from 1998… all at the same time.”
“I decided to start with private lessons and the gym linked me up with a brown belt for 1 on 1s.”
“The culture is what really sets Gracie 717 apart: it’s welcoming and positive whether you’re a hobbyist, looking to lose weight, learn self-defense, or chase a world title.”
“I was really anxious about walking into the gym for the first time as a 30 year old with 0 experience so I reached out to the via email and got a quick friendly response.”
Other martial arts here
“I’ve been training at Gracie717 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts for the past 8 years, and it’s truly become a second home.”
“If you're looking to learn Jiu-Jitsu or kickboxing in the Lancaster area, Gracie 717 is the place to be.”
What members say
“If you want an incredible workout, a supportive community, world-class instruction, and a good laugh at yourself (trust me, it’ll happen), this is the gym.”
“The culture is what really sets Gracie 717 apart: it’s welcoming and positive whether you’re a hobbyist, looking to lose weight, learn self-defense, or chase a world title.”
“The culture is what really sets Gracie 717 apart: it’s welcoming and positive whether you’re a hobbyist, looking to lose weight, learn self-defense, or chase a world title.”
“His technical knowledge, attention to detail, and genuine care for his students make him an exceptional coach and mentor.”
“The kids program is amazing and the instructors do a great job with the them.”
“They somehow manage to teach total beginners, seasoned competitors, and that one guy who shows up wearing gym shorts from 1998… all at the same time.”
From the reviews
If I could give this jiu-jitsu gym more than five stars, I’d be throwing stars faster than a black belt in a ninja movie. From the moment I walked in, I knew this place was different. The coaches are incredibly skilled—like “I’m-smiling-while-they-gently-fold-me-into-a-pretzel” skilled.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Eight years strong and still loving every minute! I’ve been training at Gracie717 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts for the past 8 years, and it’s truly become a second home.
I have been training Brazilian jiu jitsu at Gracie 717 since 2017. Walking through that door and signing up is one of the best things I've ever done for myself. The gym is spacious and always clean, the instruction is excellent at all levels, and the culture is easygoing and welcoming.
I started at this gym 2.5 years ago. I was really anxious about walking into the gym for the first time as a 30 year old with 0 experience so I reached out to the via email and got a quick friendly response. I decided to start with private lessons and the gym linked me up with a brown belt for 1 on 1s.
New to BJJ? Start at Gracie 717
Gracie 717 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 Gracie 717
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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