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Gracie Barra Lakeland - Jiu-Jitsu & Self-Defense
5 ★★★★★ 4 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Lakeland, Florida
Part of Gracie Barra
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
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule gblakeland.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (407) 955-2636
Hours
| Monday | 6 AM–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 6 AM–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 6 AM–9 PM |
| Thursday | 6 AM–9 PM |
| Friday | 6 AM–9 PM |
| Saturday | 11 AM–1 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“The instructors are highly skilled, patient, and truly dedicated to the students’ development, whether you are a beginner or an advanced practitioner.”
What members say
“This is an excellent Jiu-Jitsu academy with a very professional and welcoming environment.”
“This is an excellent Jiu-Jitsu academy with a very professional and welcoming environment.”
“The classes are well-structured, focused on both technique and discipline, and always conducted with great attention to safety.”
From the reviews
Amazing jiujitsu school to all ages, great professional staff! Super happy they are expanding all over Florida!
This is an excellent Jiu-Jitsu academy with a very professional and welcoming environment. The instructors are highly skilled, patient, and truly dedicated to the students’ development, whether you are a beginner or an advanced practitioner.
Training at Gracie Barra Lakeland has been an amazing experience. The gym is clean, welcoming, and has a great vibe. Professor Daniel Calil is a top-level instructor, super patient, explains things clearly, and really cares about your progress. Great team, great energy. Highly recommend.
New to BJJ? Start at Gracie Barra Lakeland - Jiu-Jitsu & Self-Defense
Gracie Barra Lakeland - Jiu-Jitsu & Self-Defense 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 Gracie Barra Lakeland - Jiu-Jitsu & Self-Defense
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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