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Gracie United Hammond/Ponchatoula
4.6 ★★★★★ 35 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Hammond, Louisiana
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
- Women's classes dedicated women's BJJ classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
- 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 championfactory.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 985-605-3169
Hours
| Monday | 4–7:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 6:30–8 am, 11 am–12:30 pm, 5–7:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 11 am–12:30 pm, 4–7:30 pm |
| Thursday | 6:30–8 am, 11 am–12:30 pm, 5–7:30 pm |
| Friday | 11 am–12:30 pm, 5–7:30 pm |
| Saturday | 10 am–12 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“The technical learning here is top-notch, with a strong emphasis on fundamentals, precision, and strategy.”
“Every instructor is very knowledgeable in their teachings, very attentive to each student, always positive and treats everyone with equal respect including the children.”
“If you want a place for you, your child and/or your family to learn respect, self control and self defense then this is the place!”
“Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced practitioner, Mat’s teaching style ensures that everyone walks away from each class with a deeper understanding of the art.”
Other martial arts here
What members say
“Every instructor is very knowledgeable in their teachings, very attentive to each student, always positive and treats everyone with equal respect including the children.”
“This was my first time visiting another gym and I was a little nervous, but they are Very Welcoming and Friendly, they make you feel at home.”
“This was my first time visiting another gym and I was a little nervous, but they are Very Welcoming and Friendly, they make you feel at home.”
“His ability to break down complex techniques into digestible, easy-to-understand steps is truly impressive.”
“We first reached out to Gracie as an option to help my daughter deal with bullying in school. Her confidence was low, and she was being tormented by other children.”
“Gracie United Jiu-Jitsu is an absolute the best choice for anyone looking to dive into the world of martial arts or elevate their existing skills.”
From the reviews
Gracie United Jiu-Jitsu is an absolute the best choice for anyone looking to dive into the world of martial arts or elevate their existing skills. The training here is nothing short of exceptional, and it’s clear that the gym is dedicated to fostering a welcoming, supportive, and highly technical environment for all…
Absolutely love it! Every instructor is very knowledgeable in their teachings, very attentive to each student, always positive and treats everyone with equal respect including the children. Do not expect your child to get coddled!
I've been training at Gracie United for about six months and I cannot stress how much of a good experience it has been. As a woman, I had a lot of anxiety over joining a martial arts gym as they are predominately male-dominated spaces, but the crew at this gym has been welcoming and helpful as I've started my…
We first reached out to Gracie as an option to help my daughter deal with bullying in school. Her confidence was low, and she was being tormented by other children. At first glance this place seemed amazing. My daughter absolutely loved being there. The instructors were awesome with the kids.
New to BJJ? Start at Gracie United Hammond/Ponchatoula
Gracie United Hammond/Ponchatoula 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 United Hammond/Ponchatoula
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.
More BJJ gyms near Hammond
Gracie United Pumpkin Center
5 ★★★★★ 10 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site