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Royce Gracie Academy of Lake Norman-Team Fight to Win
5 ★★★★★ 140 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Denver, North Carolina
Part of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu
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
- 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 roycegracielakenorman.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 704-966-9364
Hours
| Monday | 8–10 am, 4–9 pm |
| Tuesday | 9 am–12 pm, 4–9 pm |
| Wednesday | 8–10 am, 4–9 pm |
| Thursday | 9 am–12 pm, 4–9 pm |
| Friday | 6–8 pm |
| Saturday | 9 am–12:30 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“My son has been attending for about a month now, and we couldn’t be happier with our experience and the positive impact it has already made.”
“The team here genuinely cares about each child, fostering an environment where they learn not only self-defense but also respect and discipline.”
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What members say
“Jon, the owner and lead instructor (a Royce Gracie Black Belt) is a great instructor.”
“All the students are welcoming, humble and friendly to work/train with.”
“Starting something like this can be intimidating, but they make you feel like you are family.”
“I have seen an increase in both of my son’s self confidence since joining.”
“At first I didn’t know Royce Gracie but once I started watching on YouTube “UFC 1” I found out that one of the best fighters promoted me by me getting my next belt.”
“From the start, the procedures/cleanliness/friendliness has been top notch.”
From the reviews
My daughter started jujitsu a month ago and it has been one of the best investments we have made. From the start, the procedures/cleanliness/friendliness has been top notch. I was able to sit in on the first class and the rest are streamed.
If you're looking for a Jiu Jitsu academy as an adult or for your child, Fight to Win Lake Norman is the best possible environment. Jon, the owner and lead instructor (a Royce Gracie Black Belt) is a great instructor. He really puts in a lot of effort to making you feel welcome and in a position to learn, at your pace.
Our 5-year-old daughter began training at Royce Gracie Academy of Lake Norman a month ago. Initially, she was quite nervous, but the instructors and fellow students immediately made her feel welcome. Now, she looks forward to attending every day!
My son has been attending for about a month now, and we couldn’t be happier with our experience and the positive impact it has already made. He genuinely looks forward to every class and has already grown so much in confidence and independence.
New to BJJ? Start at Royce Gracie Academy of Lake Norman-Team Fight to Win
Royce Gracie Academy of Lake Norman-Team Fight to Win 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 Royce Gracie Academy of Lake Norman-Team Fight to Win
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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