Home › Florida › Venice › Gracie Venice Jiu-Jitsu & MMA
Gracie Venice Jiu-Jitsu & MMA
5 ★★★★★ 51 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Venice, 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
- 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
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule gracievenicemma.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 941-786-4687
Hours
| Monday | 9 am–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 9 am–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 9 am–8 pm |
| Thursday | 9 am–8 pm |
| Friday | 9 am–8 pm |
| Saturday | 9 am–8 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“My daughter is experienced in BJJ and we just moved to the area.”
“As a woman, finding a safe and comfortable environment to train can be hard- but the welcoming and understanding coaches at Gracie Venice make it EASY.”
“Whether you are a beginner, advanced martial artist, competitor, or just a hobbyist practitioner, Gracie Venice is the place for you!”
“Whether you're looking to compete, learn self-defense, or simply get in shape and have fun, this is the perfect place.”
“Works for the beginner looking to get in shape and improve his physical fitness and the very experienced looking to stay on course training hard.”
Other martial arts here
“Troy Gerhart is an excellent professor who pays attention to his students and their advancement in the martial arts of Jiu Jitsu, wrestling, and MMA.”
“The instructors are top-notch, providing expert guidance in Jujitsu, kickboxing, and MMA.”
“Troy Gerhart is an excellent professor who pays attention to his students and their advancement in the martial arts of Jiu Jitsu, wrestling, and MMA.”
What members say
“Troy Gerhart is an excellent professor who pays attention to his students and their advancement in the martial arts of Jiu Jitsu, wrestling, and MMA.”
“As a woman, finding a safe and comfortable environment to train can be hard- but the welcoming and understanding coaches at Gracie Venice make it EASY.”
“The instructors, especially Troy Gerhart, are not only highly skilled and knowledgeable but also patient, supportive, and genuinely invested in every student's progress.”
“His teaching style is clear and structured, making even the most complex techniques accessible to all students, regardless of experience level.”
“Whether you are a beginner, advanced martial artist, competitor, or just a hobbyist practitioner, Gracie Venice is the place for you!”
“As a woman, finding a safe and comfortable environment to train can be hard- but the welcoming and understanding coaches at Gracie Venice make it EASY.”
From the reviews
Very proud to be a part of this gym . Professor Troy is a great humble leader . I trained with him at the beginning of his MMA career, way back in the day . When I heard he was coming back to Venice and opening a school I was truly excited . The plan was to show love and support .
I’m a new student here, but I’ve been training jiu-jitsu for almost three years. Troy is a great instructor who clearly cares about both his gym and what he’s teaching.
The instructors are top-notch, providing expert guidance in Jujitsu, kickboxing, and MMA. The atmosphere is welcoming, and the diverse range of classes keeps every session engaging. Whether you're a beginner or seasoned athlete, this gym caters to all skill levels.
I have been training at Gracie Venice for about 10 months now. During this time period I’ve talked to coach Troy and I can honestly say he cares so much about all of his students. In addition to that, he is very knowledgeable and understands how to run a gym properly. I 100% recommend training at Gracie Venice.
New to BJJ? Start at Gracie Venice Jiu-Jitsu & MMA
Gracie Venice Jiu-Jitsu & MMA 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 Venice Jiu-Jitsu & MMA
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 Venice
Gustavo Machado Jiu-Jitsu
4.9 ★★★★★ 30 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
Venice Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Judo
5 ★★★★★ 14 reviews
GRIP BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU TEAM
5 ★★★★★ 42 reviews