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Gulf Breeze Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (Checkmat)

5 ★★★★★ 191 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Gulf Breeze, Florida

Part of Checkmat

BJJ gym Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons Competition team

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 (ages 3–13) — 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
  • Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule gulfbreezebjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (850) 981-4870

Hours

Monday 9 AM–12 PM, 3:30–7:30 PM
Tuesday 9 AM–12 PM, 3:30–7:30 PM
Wednesday 9 AM–12 PM, 3:30–7:30 PM
Thursday 9 AM–12 PM, 3:30–7:30 PM
Friday 9 AM–12 PM, 4:30–6:30 PM
Saturday 9:30 AM–12:30 PM
Sunday Closed

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 Gulf Breeze Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (Checkmat), confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 19 mentions

“I highly recommend this place for anybody, any age, and any experience level, kids, families, couples and individuals all trained together.”

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🏆 Competition Team 6 mentions

“Gulf Breeze Checkmat is a family, a team and has Professional Black belt instructors that teach and compete in IBJJF.”

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🌱 Beginners 2 mentions

“From beginner to advanced, there is a class for you!”

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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 Gulf Breeze Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (Checkmat) — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

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 191 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 4 mentions

“Professor Chico is a knowledgeable and dedicated black belt who creates a positive environment for learning and growth.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 4 mentions

“Great gym with a welcoming atmosphere and high-level training.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 26 mentions

“The instructors are all very helpful and give clear instructions, the other students are very friendly, and the lessons push you both physically and mentally.”

🧒 strong kids program 2 mentions

“We've been a part of the gym for nearly 2 years and watched our sons grow so much in strength and confidence.”

active competition team 8 mentions

“Gulf Breeze Checkmat is a family, a team and has Professional Black belt instructors that teach and compete in IBJJF.”

🎖️ legit lineage & affiliation 6 mentions

“Gulf Breeze Brazilian Jiu Jitsu came HIGHLY recommended by numerous Professors, coaches and friends affiliated with the sport.”

From the reviews

Recently moved back home to Florida about 6 months ago and needed to find a new Jiu Jitsu gym for my daughter. Gulf Breeze Brazilian Jiu Jitsu came HIGHLY recommended by numerous Professors, coaches and friends affiliated with the sport.

★★★★★ — Jayme, Sep 2023

My family and I recently moved to Florida from California and we were looking for a good BJJ gym for our kids. We are so GLAD we found this gym. You learn discipline, & respect. The professors are absolutely ELITE & EXCEPTIONAL.

★★★★★ — Chelsea, Mar 2023

My son has been attending about three days a week over the past year and it has been incredible. Not only for keeping him engaged physically, but the community, discipline, and help with controlling big emotions has been so beneficial. This has been so much more than a sport or a week night task to check off.

★★★★★ — Hannah, Dec 2025

Could not ask for a better gym! My son absolutely loves attending! Great competitors in class to prep him for competitions. Great professors who push him to be his very best. I’ve trained here as well and love the environment! Would recommend for boys and girls of all ages. Would also recommend for adults.

★★★★★ — Sallyanna, Oct 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 191 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Gulf Breeze Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (Checkmat)

Gulf Breeze Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (Checkmat) 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.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first BJJ class at Gulf Breeze Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (Checkmat)

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 Gulf Breeze Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (Checkmat)

1626 Beechwood Dr, Gulf Breeze, FL32563

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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.