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Gracie Barra - Jiu Jitsu in Tampa

5 ★★★★★ 67 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Tampa, Florida

Part of Gracie Barra

BJJ gym Free trial Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons No-gi

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
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule gbcitrusparktampa.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (813) 269-5448

Hours

Monday 12–9 PM
Tuesday 3–8:30 PM
Wednesday 12–9 PM
Thursday 3–8:30 PM
Friday 3–8:30 PM
Saturday 11 AM–1 PM
Sunday Closed

Hours shift for holidays, seminars, and open-gym times — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

BJJ classes on the schedule at Gracie Barra - Jiu Jitsu in Tampa, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 17 mentions

“He is a very high-energy little kid, and his uncontainable enthusiasm often leads him to get distracted or overexcited, and redirecting him takes quite a bit of patience.”

All gyms that run kids bjj →

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 67 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 2 mentions

“Instructor Ivan is one of the best he is passionate with his kids and takes his time to teach the young ones to be better each and every time.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 5 mentions

“The environment is welcoming, respectful, and fully focused on growth — both physical and personal — not just for me, but also for my children who train here as well.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 25 mentions

“The environment is welcoming, respectful, and fully focused on growth — both physical and personal — not just for me, but also for my children who train here as well.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 4 mentions

“Coach Ivan is a wonderful person, attentive to details and very understanding to each student.”

🧒 strong kids program 2 mentions

“It’s helping my kids in so many ways. I love how they teach discipline, respect while having so much fun and exercising.”

🎖️ legit lineage & affiliation 9 mentions

“I take a moment to express how thankful I am for these first eight months of training with Gracie.”

From the reviews

Best place to train BJJ and build a second family! Professor Ivan brings a lot of knowledge with his 24 years of Jiu Jitsu. Great environment for both kids and adults! OSS 🔺

★★★★★ — Jonathan, Oct 2023

Training at this jiu-jitsu school has been one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. The environment is welcoming, respectful, and fully focused on growth — both physical and personal — not just for me, but also for my children who train here as well. Professor Ivan is exceptional!

★★★★★ — Liliam, Jun 2025

I really recommend this place! My children love being with coach Ivan and his entire team. Lots of fun and technique for children who are learning this wonderful sport.

★★★★★ — Izabeli, Nov 2023

Gracie Barra is like family! My almost 5-year-old boy started Jiu-Jitsu at the Citrus Park location a few months ago, and he is loving it! He is a very high-energy little kid, and his uncontainable enthusiasm often leads him to get distracted or overexcited, and redirecting him takes quite a bit of patience.

★★★★★ — Valentina, Jun 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 67 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Gracie Barra - Jiu Jitsu in Tampa

Gracie Barra - Jiu Jitsu in Tampa 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.

See their beginner class info

Your first BJJ class at Gracie Barra - Jiu Jitsu in 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.

BJJ is a contact sport. Ease in, tap early and often, listen to your coaches, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find Gracie Barra - Jiu Jitsu in Tampa

6176 Gunn Hwy, Tampa, FL33625

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this gym? Claim your listing — it's free.