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Gracie Jiu-Jitsu St. Augustine
4.8 ★★★★★ 51 Google reviews · BJJ gym in St. Augustine, 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.
Open 6 days a week, this training center offers classes in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu for adults and children.
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
- 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 philcardella.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 904-400-4105
Hours
| Monday | 12–2 pm, 5:30–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 4:15–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 12–2 pm, 5:30–9 pm |
| Thursday | 4:15–8 pm |
| Friday | 12–2 pm, 5:30–8 pm |
| Saturday | 11:15 am–2 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“My son and I have been a part of the Jiu-Jitsu program for about a year now and have thoroughly enjoyed the experience!”
“I also always enjoy attending the tournaments he puts on, they’re well-run and a great experience for everyone involved.”
“I arranged for a private lesson and couldn't be more pleased with the result.”
“Phil is an incredible Professor with a ton of real world experience.”
“Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced practitioner, you’ll find top-notch training here.”
Other martial arts here
What members say
“Master Phil Cardella is one of the best, he is very helpful and gives great instructions.”
“The facility is great, the atmosphere is welcoming, and the people there are awesome.”
“His technique is great also, Phil is a very Humble and fair instructor who wants nothing but the best for his students.”
“I had the chance to watch him teach and was impressed with his attention to detail when teaching technique, giving each student personal attention.”
“I also always enjoy attending the tournaments he puts on, they’re well-run and a great experience for everyone involved.”
“We came back for Spring Break this year and Brendan trained 3 days at Relson Gracie St.”
From the reviews
I’ve been training at Gracie Jiu-Jitsu St. Augustine for a while now, and it’s a fantastic place to learn. Phil has over 30 years of experience, and his knowledge really sets him apart. He’s down-to-earth, has a great sense of humor, and makes the training environment enjoyable and motivating.
My son and I have been a part of the Jiu-Jitsu program for about a year now and have thoroughly enjoyed the experience! My son started with a summer camp, had a blast, and so we signed him up. It has been a great outlet and structure for his big energy! Coach Phil is a great facilitator of both fun and discipline.
I have trained at many locations in the 6 years I have been active with jiujitsu. Relson Gracie St Augustine was the warmest welcome I ever received into a new gym.
Phil Cardella is an excellent instructor. My 16 year old son Brendan has been training BJJ since the age of 10. He is an active an accomplished competitor as well. I took him to train with Phil last year, April 2015, while we were on Spring Break from New York and he was quite impressed.
New to BJJ? Start at Gracie Jiu-Jitsu St. Augustine
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu St. Augustine 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 Jiu-Jitsu St. Augustine
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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