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Marcelo Garcia Jiu Jitsu Academy of Gainesville
5 ★★★★★ 44 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Gainesville, Florida
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
- 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
- Women's classes dedicated women's BJJ classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
- 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
- Website & schedule bjjgainesville.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (352) 328-2768
The classes they run
“I love the fact that there is a women's only class on Sundays.”
“Stopped by at an open mat while quickly in town, Kon was quickly responsive via e-mail when I asked if I could drop in, and then invited me back the next day for class.”
“Instruction was clear and was offered in both beginner and advanced contexts.”
What members say
“This gym is super welcoming, has a great mix of people (both interested in competition and on-competition), and the kindest instructor ever.”
“This gym is super welcoming, has a great mix of people (both interested in competition and on-competition), and the kindest instructor ever.”
“The school values technique over force, which I feel like should be the essence of Brazilian jujitsu.”
“This gym is super welcoming, has a great mix of people (both interested in competition and on-competition), and the kindest instructor ever.”
“The whole crew was super hospitable and the professor Kon showed his Marcelo Garcia lineage in his technical ability, clear instructions and kindness.”
“It’s a very friendly and fostering environment with newly upgraded mats and a great space to practice and spar.”
From the reviews
I enjoy visiting here when I am in town. The gym is beautiful in all white w/ cool art. The team is welcoming and skilled. Kon is an attentive instructor highly technical and kind
I have trained at a couple of places in town and this is so far my favorite one. The owner is professional, the mats and building are very clean and other members are very friendly. I love the fact that there is a women's only class on Sundays.
Kon and his teachers are amazing at honing in on techniques. It’s a very friendly and fostering environment with newly upgraded mats and a great space to practice and spar. Absolutely great place to train and learn. Has a bathroom and a water fountain in addition to some great ac.
I trained here in grad school, and have since moved to a different state and joined a new gym. I will always look back fondly on my time here. This gym is super welcoming, has a great mix of people (both interested in competition and on-competition), and the kindest instructor ever.
New to BJJ? Start at Marcelo Garcia Jiu Jitsu Academy of Gainesville
Marcelo Garcia Jiu Jitsu Academy of Gainesville 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 Marcelo Garcia Jiu Jitsu Academy of Gainesville
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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