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Gracie United Pumpkin Center
5 ★★★★★ 10 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 (ages 5–12) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- 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 pumpkincenterbjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (985) 320-7659
Hours
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 4:30 PM–12 AM |
| Wednesday | 12–7:45 AM |
| Thursday | 4:30–8 PM |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | 5–8 PM |
The classes they run
“He breaks down techniques clearly and emphasizes fundamentals, which has helped my son progress way faster than he expected.”
“From the very first class, my son has felt welcomed and supported.”
“Awesome guidance for beginners and provides advanced competition and self defense training.”
“Jason is very patient with beginners while still pushing his students to improve every single session.”
Other martial arts here
What members say
“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great coach, excellent instruction, and a really welcoming community.”
“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great coach, excellent instruction, and a really welcoming community.”
“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great coach, excellent instruction, and a really welcoming community.”
“He breaks down techniques clearly and emphasizes fundamentals, which has helped my son progress way faster than he expected.”
“Awesome guidance for beginners and provides advanced competition and self defense training.”
“From 5 years old to adulthood, this is the place to get in shape, learn discipline and technique, and have fun!”
From the reviews
High Level instructor who has competed and trained for over a decade. the location is convenient, easy access, plenty of parking in a safe area. Gym is very spacious with plenty of space for parents and students.
From the very first class, my son has felt welcomed and supported. Professor Jason is an outstanding instructor. Jason is very patient with beginners while still pushing his students to improve every single session.
High quality Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instruction here. Family atmosphere and plenty of space for people to train or watch. From 5 years old to adulthood, this is the place to get in shape, learn discipline and technique, and have fun!
They are really welcoming for newcomers. Experienced, professional, and family focused. Awesome guidance for beginners and provides advanced competition and self defense training. Would recommend for anyone considering jiu jitsu
New to BJJ? Start at Gracie United Pumpkin Center
Gracie United Pumpkin Center 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 United Pumpkin Center
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 Hammond/Ponchatoula
4.6 ★★★★★ 35 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site