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Inside Control Academy
5 ★★★★★ 130 Google reviews · BJJ gym in St. Petersburg, Florida
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
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule insidecontrolacademy.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (727) 592-8498
Hours
| Monday | 6 AM–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 10 AM–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 6 AM–9 PM |
| Thursday | 10 AM–9 PM |
| Friday | 6 AM–8 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM–2 PM |
| Sunday | 10 AM–12 PM |
The classes they run
“I have seen Coach Q teach private lessons to the children that I nanny for, and they are learning so much and enjoying it.”
“) This is a great place for beginners (whether adult or kids/teens), as well as blue belts and above.”
“I thought I would struggle as I transition from Gi to NoGi, but the quality of teaching has made me love NoGi more than I ever have.”
“Highly recommend this gym, whether you are just looking to get in shape and learn some self defense, all the way up to those that want to be serious competitors.”
“I have seen Coach Q teach private lessons to the children that I nanny for, and they are learning so much and enjoying it.”
“Highly recommend this gym, whether you are just looking to get in shape and learn some self defense, all the way up to those that want to be serious competitors.”
“He also has a way of making learning intuitive, which helps a lot for those of us who are brand new to fighting.”
Other martial arts here
“Impressive School for mixed martial arts, I would recommend to anyone.”
“No one trying to squeeze money out of me, just people saying welcome and look around and offered to let me jump in either kick boxing or Jiu Jitsu class!”
“No one trying to squeeze money out of me, just people saying welcome and look around and offered to let me jump in either kick boxing or Jiu Jitsu class!”
What members say
“For BJJ training, Gabe & Anton & Coach Q are great. Super knowledgeable and super kind and patient.”
“I left my home gym of two years to come to Inside Control Academy, and I am so impressed with the coaching, facility and the welcoming and attentive atmosphere.”
“I left my home gym of two years to come to Inside Control Academy, and I am so impressed with the coaching, facility and the welcoming and attentive atmosphere.”
“The students are all super nice and helpful, and the instructors are extremely knowledgeable and detailed in their instruction.”
“Always have an amazing time training at Gracie St Pete and I'm so glad that I have decided to join and continue to learn!”
“The Mat's are sanitized every day and the people I have been around all have good Hygiene (That's a big bonus for me).”
From the reviews
I left my home gym of two years to come to Inside Control Academy, and I am so impressed with the coaching, facility and the welcoming and attentive atmosphere. I have taken classes led by Coach Q, Billy, Anton and Gabe. All of their classes have been through and informative.
I've been training with Gabe for the past three months and am having a blast learning how to roll and kickbox. Gabe is a great instructor. He has an obvious passion for martial arts and uses his expertise and patience well in helping new students make progress.
I'm a newer member and one of the many things I love about this academy is how there are members with varying skill levels and everyone takes care of each other when sparring.
Amazing school and instructors. Head coaches Gabriel and Anton are 1/1s. I’ve personally been in the world of martial arts for 25yrs and can confirm that this is a premier dojo in the TampaBay area.
New to BJJ? Start at Inside Control Academy
Inside Control Academy comes up as a beginner-friendly gym, going by their listing and members’ reviews. 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 Inside Control Academy
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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🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site