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Gracie Charlottesville (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai)
5 ★★★★★ 115 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Charlottesville, Virginia
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 3) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- Women's classes dedicated women's BJJ classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
- Open mat open-mat rolling sessions for members to practice live — always optional and at your own pace
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule graciecharlottesville.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (434) 688-4482
Hours
| Monday | 6–10 AM, 12–1:30 PM, 3:45–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 6–9 AM, 12–1 PM, 3:45–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 6–10 AM, 12–1:30 PM, 3:45–9 PM |
| Thursday | 6–9 AM, 12–1 PM, 3:45–9 PM |
| Friday | 6–9 AM, 3:45–9 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM–12 PM |
| Sunday | 9 AM–12 PM |
The classes they run
“The facility and locker room spaces are immaculate, and they have a top notch kids program among many others!”
“Walking into a new gym, especially as a woman, can be intimidating, but everyone here is really welcoming and friendly.”
“I had the privilege to drop in to a 6am Gi class and couldn’t have felt more welcome.”
“Training here not only elevated my skills, but also helped me bring home a win at an IBJJF tournament.”
“I called the school and Brent answered and invited us to their open mat.”
“It is a great and effective way to learn self defense, meet people, and get some exercise.”
“The environment is welcoming, family-oriented, and perfect for practitioners of all levels, whether you’re just starting out or sharpening your game for competition.”
Other martial arts here
“Trained at Gracie Charlottesville for a grappling seminar, as well as Muay Thai for a few classes.”
What members say
“The Muay Thai coach Daniel Nelson is an outstanding instructor. He is a very knowledgeable coach.”
“The coaches and trainers are all world class, the environment is very welcoming with a nice variety of people to train with.”
“The environment is welcoming, family-oriented, and perfect for practitioners of all levels, whether you’re just starting out or sharpening your game for competition.”
“The instructors are world-class, breaking down technique in a way that’s both detailed and easy to apply, and they kept me fully engaged through every session.”
“The classes are a really intense workout and so much fun, there has not been a day yet where I didn’t leave dripping in sweat with a smile on my face!”
“The environment is welcoming, family-oriented, and perfect for practitioners of all levels, whether you’re just starting out or sharpening your game for competition.”
From the reviews
Me and my girlfriend came into town for a weekend away in the Shenandoah and we just so happen to spot the gym while driving. I called the school and Brent answered and invited us to their open mat. The gym was incredible, very clean, and inviting. The people were all amazing.
I was searching for a place to train after moving to Charlottesville and was very fortunate to find Gracie Charlottesville. The instructors and other students have been very welcoming. Adam, Brent, and Shelby are very knowledgeable, supportive instructors who foster a safe and fun training atmosphere.
I started at Gracie about three months ago and absolutely love the Muay Thai program! Each of the instructors (Kristen, Brad, Amy, Todd) is dedicated and knowledgeable, and always willing to answer any questions or offer extra help. The gym is clean, organized, and well-managed.
This place is awesome. I have been wanting to try BJJ for a while and I finally decided to, I am so glad I picked Gracie Charlottesville. The community here is great and very helpful for all skill levels. Their facility is brand new, big, and has really nice amenities (shower, sauna, lockers, changing room, etc).
New to BJJ? Start at Gracie Charlottesville (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai)
Gracie Charlottesville (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai) 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 Charlottesville (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai)
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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