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Honest Grappling Co.

5 ★★★★★ 23 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Kannapolis, North Carolina

BJJ gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Competition team

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
  • 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 honestgrappling.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 980-440-0931

Hours

Monday 12–7 am, 12–9 pm
Tuesday 4:30–9 pm
Wednesday 12–9 pm
Thursday 4:30–9 pm
Friday 12–9 pm
Saturday Closed
Sunday 7 am–12 am

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 Honest Grappling Co., confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 4 mentions

“Mike has such an impressive way of teaching the kids regardless of skill level, the fundamentals of BJJ.”

All gyms that run kids bjj →

🔓 Open Mat 2 mentions

“My daughter and I both enjoy classes and open mat sessions 3-4 days a week.”

All gyms that run open mat →

Other martial arts here

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

🏟️ MMA

“The place to learn Jiu-Jitsu/MMA in Cabarrus County.”

Other gyms that also teach mma →

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 23 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 4 mentions

“Professor Mike is great with kids in the evenings and adults during lunch sessions.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 12 mentions

“Coach Mike's coaching is transformative, the community feels like family, and the spotlessly clean environment ensures a comfortable experience.”

🧼 clean, well-kept mats 12 mentions

“Coach Mike's coaching is transformative, the community feels like family, and the spotlessly clean environment ensures a comfortable experience.”

From the reviews

Honest Grappling is exceptional. Coach Mike's coaching is transformative, the community feels like family, and the spotlessly clean environment ensures a comfortable experience. If you seek skill development and a supportive jiu-jitsu family, this is the place.

★★★★★ — Elizabeth, Feb 2024

This place feels like home. We love our community and the friends we’ve made. Mike is a wonderful instructor and it’s a privilege to learn under him! If you are looking for a place to start this is the place to come! If you’ve been doing jiujitsu for a while but need a new home, join us!

★★★★★ — Carlie, Jun 2024

Great gym! Great positive coaching with a group that just has an uplifting positive culture! The facility is spotless!

★★★★★ — Nader, Jun 2024

Great group of people to train with who will push you to better yourself. The instructor Mike teaches well and cares for each person to do well. Always answers any questions to make sure everyone understands and watches to make sure its being drilled correctly.

★★★★★ — Nicholas, Aug 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 23 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Honest Grappling Co.

Honest Grappling Co. 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 Honest Grappling Co.

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 Honest Grappling Co.

1772 Dale Earnhardt Blvd, Kannapolis, NC28083

Get directions Instagram

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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.