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Great Grappling Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
4.9 ★★★★★ 99 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Fort Mill, South Carolina
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
- 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
- Open mat open-mat rolling sessions for members to practice live — always optional and at your own pace
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule greatgrappling.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 803-402-4142
Hours
| Monday | 4:30–9 pm |
| Tuesday | 11 am–1 pm, 4:30–9 pm |
| Wednesday | 6–7 am, 4:30–9 pm |
| Thursday | 11 am–1 pm, 4:30–9 pm |
| Friday | 6–7 am, 5:30–8:30 pm |
| Saturday | 11 am–3 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“If you are a parent looking for a way to teach your children self-confidence or self-defense, this place is must.”
“As a woman I found the ladies classes to be wonderful and are part of what got me hooked on the school.”
“The instruction here is world class (they literally take people to IBJJF pans).”
“Instruction at Great Grappling is the best I have experienced with clear and detailed instruction, structured repetition, and one-on-one assistance from Professor Arel.”
“If you're ever in the area come to the fundamentals class or Saturday open mat and say hi.”
“If you are a parent looking for a way to teach your children self-confidence or self-defense, this place is must.”
“I have never trained under an instructor that taught technique in such a clear and understandable manner.”
Other martial arts here
What members say
“World class instruction, friendly faces, a fun and energized atmosphere, and a convenient location.”
“I’ve been training a lifetime and have not found an academy that is so welcoming and makes you feel like family as Great Grappling does.”
“I’ve been training a lifetime and have not found an academy that is so welcoming and makes you feel like family as Great Grappling does.”
“Instruction at Great Grappling is the best I have experienced with clear and detailed instruction, structured repetition, and one-on-one assistance from Professor Arel.”
“There are a few key components that go into making a great gym: facilities, instruction, competition, and community.”
“There are a few key components that go into making a great gym: facilities, instruction, competition, and community.”
From the reviews
World class instruction, friendly faces, a fun and energized atmosphere, and a convenient location. I'd never tried Brazilian Jiu Jitsu prior to my first class at Great Grappling.
Facilities are top notch, there is a full pro shop with branded apparel, GI's, post workout drinks and snacks. The facilities include a large mat space with padded walls. The school has both men and women's changing rooms, 2 rest rooms and a shower. The lobby has comfortable seating and a large screen TV.
Great Grappling. The name says it all, I’m from the UK and have visited this fantastic academy a couple of times when in the USA. Jeremy Arel is a awesome teacher and I learnt a lot really cool stuff when there, his teaching methods are very good as he breaks down every move to make sure you understand every detail.
Great Grappling is a phenomenal Jiu Jitsu facility. Not only does it have amenities such as a shower and multiple matted training rooms, but the community formed beteeen the students at this academy is next to none.
New to BJJ? Start at Great Grappling Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Great Grappling Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 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 Great Grappling Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
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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