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Ground Control

4.7 ★★★★★ 64 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Rosedale, Maryland

BJJ gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons No-gi

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
  • 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
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule groundcontrolbaltimore.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 410-340-5925

Hours

Monday 6–7 am, 10 am–1 pm, 5–10 pm
Tuesday 6–7 am, 5–10 pm
Wednesday 6–7 am, 10 am–1 pm, 5–10 pm
Thursday 6–7 am, 5–10 pm
Friday 10 am–1 pm, 5–7 pm
Saturday 9 am–1 pm
Sunday 11 am–12:30 pm

Hours shift for holidays, seminars, and open-gym times — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

BJJ classes on the schedule at Ground Control, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 13 mentions

“The facility is beautiful, large, and upgraded, and my daughter absolutely loves it here.”

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Teens BJJ

“We couldn't be happier with our experience with the teen classes.”

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🩳 No-Gi 5 mentions

“Went to morning no-gi classes with coaches Tim and John and it was by far the best instruction I've received out of the four bjj/mma gyms I've been at.”

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🥋 Gi 3 mentions

“Went to morning no-gi classes with coaches Tim and John and it was by far the best instruction I've received out of the four bjj/mma gyms I've been at.”

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👤 Private Lessons

“The instructors and professors are totally legit, and you will absolutely get one-on-one treatment here.”

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🌱 Beginners 5 mentions

“I went here for my first time a few weeks ago and found the environment to be safe, fun and most importantly - geared towards learning.”

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Other martial arts here

BJJ gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at Ground Control — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🥊 Muay Thai

“They just got in a new Muay Thai instructor who I haven't had a chance to learn too much from, but I feel that he is also a great source.”

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🏟️ MMA 5 mentions

“Went to morning no-gi classes with coaches Tim and John and it was by far the best instruction I've received out of the four bjj/mma gyms I've been at.”

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🥊 Boxing 2 mentions

“The boxing instructor here, Russ Shiflett, is incredibly technically sound.”

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Disciplines are mined from reviews and the gym's own info — they show what members have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want MMA, muay thai, or wrestling alongside your BJJ, confirm the current schedule with the gym.

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 64 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 5 mentions

“Went to morning no-gi classes with coaches Tim and John and it was by far the best instruction I've received out of the four bjj/mma gyms I've been at.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 10 mentions

“I went here for my first time a few weeks ago and found the environment to be safe, fun and most importantly - geared towards learning.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 9 mentions

“The facilities and classes might be intimidating at first glance, but the people are friendly and amazing as long as you are eager to learn.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 5 mentions

“This helps create a real sense of communal learning, and you'd be surprised how much helping someone newer than you will help you with your own technique.”

🧒 strong kids program 2 mentions

“The facility is beautiful, large, and upgraded, and my daughter absolutely loves it here.”

🧠 builds confidence & discipline 4 mentions

“The environment is welcoming, and it's clear that they care about helping each student learn, grow, and build confidence.”

From the reviews

I trained at GC for about 2.5 years. I started off at Ground Control Columbia for about a year and then moved to Baltimore and attended this location. Both are fantastic with great instructors.

★★★★★ — Jin, Jan 2018

Tried 7 day free trial only been 3 days feel like I’m at home staff and coaches are awesome all different type of characters didn’t witness no bullying nor prejudice good place for mma or anybody who suffers from ptsd needs help with coping skills

★★★★★ — Randy, Sep 2018

I dropped in here back in June when I was in town for a wedding. Training here was the highlight of my weekend. The staff is kind and courteous, instructors were knowledgeable and ran a very fun class, and my training partners were all respectful.

★★★★★ — Andrew, Aug 2025

Very positive experience. I went here for my first time a few weeks ago and found the environment to be safe, fun and most importantly - geared towards learning. I just signed up for a yr membership and could not be happier. I definitely recommend this gym to anyone looking to break into MMA or BJJ.

★★★★★ — Jordan, Sep 2017

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 64 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Ground Control

Ground Control 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.

See their beginner class info

Your first BJJ class at Ground Control

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.

BJJ is a contact sport. Ease in, tap early and often, listen to your coaches, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find Ground Control

8303 Pulaski Hwy Ste b, Rosedale, MD21237

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this gym? Claim your listing — it's free.