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Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Lakeland
5 ★★★★★ 64 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Lakeland, Florida
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 3–13) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- Women's classes dedicated women's BJJ classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
- 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
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule gracie-jiu-jitsu-lakeland.gymdesk.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (571) 569-9603
Hours
| Monday | 7–8 AM, 12–1 PM, 5–8:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 7–8 AM, 12–1:30 PM, 5–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 12–1 PM, 5–8:30 PM |
| Thursday | 5–8:30 PM |
| Friday | 7–8 AM, 6–8:30 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM–2 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“They are so patient and compassionate with the kids, there is a huge emphasis on respect in class as well as at home, and just great vibes all around.”
“I really like how the classes are focused on self defense, not tournaments, unlike other gyms.”
“Did a private class with Dom at his old gym and he not only gave great feedback but we walked through his suggestions to really help them hit home.”
“We were looking for self-defense for our 3-year-old daughter, and it was perfect: they have classes for her age (Thursdays 4:30 or Saturdays 1-2).”
“The environment is welcoming, safe, and motivating for beginners and experienced students alike.”
Other martial arts here
What members say
“The first class happened to fall on one of those days where he woke up a little grumpy and wasn't excited about going.”
“His patience and attentiveness create a supportive environment where kids feel confident to learn and grow.”
“Dom is great at teaching the techniques in perfect bite sized slices with patience and encouragement.”
“I feel like my Jiu-Jitsu journey has been taken to a new level since coming to Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Lakeland.”
“I am honestly enjoying the classes, both Women Empowered and Combatives, and will definitely become a member at the end of my trial.”
“Dom is a great instructor with a lot of knowledge and experience in Jiu Jitsu and his form of teaching focuses on the student and their learning.”
From the reviews
Our daughter started jiu jitsu with Mr. Dom when she was 7 (now is 10), and her experience has truly been exceptional with Mr. Dom. His class focused on bullying and giving the kids principles to follow in the face of challenges at school.
Did a private class with Dom at his old gym and he not only gave great feedback but we walked through his suggestions to really help them hit home. The atmosphere that was put together is one of the main reasons I came back to jiu jitsu.
Great jujutsu class! The instructors are knowledgeable, patient, and make learning fun. They explain techniques clearly and help students improve at their own pace. The environment is welcoming, safe, and motivating for beginners and experienced students alike.
We've attended two classes so far, and our experience has been fantastic. Both instructors are incredibly kind, patient, and genuinely nice people. My son just turned four, and we were looking for activities that would help keep him active, burn off some energy, and build confidence.
New to BJJ? Start at Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Lakeland
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Lakeland 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 Jiu-Jitsu Lakeland
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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