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Ground Strike Grappling
5 ★★★★★ 48 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Columbiana, Alabama
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 (ages 5) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- Women's classes dedicated women's BJJ classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Website & schedule groundstrikegrappling.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (205) 253-0719
The classes they run
“This gym is not just a gym, it’s family for every single person that walks through the door and they instill core values into the kids that will last a lifetime.”
Other martial arts here
“Not only can you learn jiu jitsu and kickboxing, but there’s also a fitness gym with all of the equipment you need to get a full workout in.”
What members say
“Professor raio is an amazing guy and we love him very much, he means a lot to everybody and is great with each and every person there is”
“From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with a warm and welcoming atmosphere that instantly made us feel like part of the community.”
“This gym is not just a gym, it’s family for every single person that walks through the door and they instill core values into the kids that will last a lifetime.”
“Their teaching methods are clear and effective, making it easy to grasp the techniques and concepts of Jiu Jitsu.”
“The classes are well-structured, incorporating a great balance of technique, sparring, and conditioning.”
“The Professor is amazing with our kids and the love he shows them is never ending I highly recommend Ground Strike”
From the reviews
If you’re looking for a place where your child can grow not just in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu but also in character, Ground Strike Grappling in Columbiana is the place to be. Professor Raio, a world champion black belt, runs the gym with integrity, heart, and a genuine commitment to the kids and the community.
We recently joined Ground Strike Grappling Jiu Jitsu, and I can’t say enough good things about our experience! From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with a warm and welcoming atmosphere that instantly made us feel like part of the community.
Our kids love it. We love it. When we first stepped foot inside of the gym 2 years ago, our son was excited. Shortly into his first lesson he started to get anxious and cry (he was 6). Professor Raio, pulled him aside and had him sit with him for the rest of the lesson to ease his nerves.
This is a very good place to train!! The professor has a ton of knowledge and is great with kids and adults. All the people here want you to succeed!
New to BJJ? Start at Ground Strike Grappling
Ground Strike Grappling 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 Ground Strike Grappling
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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