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Sanctify Jiu Jitsu Academy

5 ★★★★★ 201 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Lakeland, Florida

BJJ gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons 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 (ages 4–13) — 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
  • Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule sanctifyjiujitsu.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (863) 338-9011

Hours

Monday 10 AM–9 PM
Tuesday 3:30–8:30 PM
Wednesday 8 AM–2 PM
Thursday 3:30–8:30 PM
Friday 10 AM–9 PM
Saturday 8:30 AM–2 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 Sanctify Jiu Jitsu Academy, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 31 mentions

“The coaches, Nick and Vivian, are amazing and have helped my son with autism come out of his shell and thrive!”

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🏆 Competition Team 5 mentions

“Her father suggested she should compete in tournaments, but she didn’t have enough courage to go up against other kids.”

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👤 Private Lessons 2 mentions

“She took private lessons with Professor Viv to work on her techniques and we couldn’t be any happier.”

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🛡️ Self-Defense 2 mentions

“Whether you’re looking for self-defense, a competitive atmosphere, or just trying to find fun people to hang out with, you will definitely get what you are looking for!”

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🌱 Beginners

“Whether you're a beginner or an experienced grappler, this is the place to be.”

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What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 201 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 5 mentions

“Not only do Nick and Vivian make great coaches and work well with all ages, but they also make a great team and ensure their students are well taken care of.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 4 mentions

“After just her first class, we noticed a boost in her confidence and respectfulness.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 11 mentions

“If you are looking for an academy that has both great teaching for this sport and is also family oriented then this is the academy for you!”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 7 mentions

“She took private lessons with Professor Viv to work on her techniques and we couldn’t be any happier.”

great workout & conditioning 2 mentions

“A great way to train the whole family.”

🧒 strong kids program 5 mentions

“The positive energy and good time we have at every class has made this sport that much more enjoyable for our son and ourselves as well! We love Sanctify and the people who run it!”

From the reviews

Absolutely Outstanding BJJ Academy! My son and I both train here, and we couldn’t be happier with our experience. From the moment we stepped through the doors, we were welcomed like family.

★★★★★ — Morgan, Jun 2025

Our son did a free class yesterday and we fell in love with the place! We signed up the same day. It is clean, welcoming and very open. There is seating for parents which I appreciated.

★★★★★ — Juliana, Aug 2025

Professor’s Nick and Vivian will give you the best jiu jitsu experience! Whether you’re looking for self-defense, a competitive atmosphere, or just trying to find fun people to hang out with, you will definitely get what you are looking for!

★★★★★ — Alyssa, Jul 2024

Nick and Vivian are the best! Top notch instructors with hearts of gold. Their knowledge and commitment to the sport as well as physical, emotional and spiritual well-being sets them apart! The facility is clean and fresh.

★★★★★ — Jill, Jul 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 201 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Sanctify Jiu Jitsu Academy

Sanctify Jiu Jitsu Academy 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 Sanctify Jiu Jitsu 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.

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 Sanctify Jiu Jitsu Academy

3035 Lakeland Highlands Rd, Lakeland, FL33803

Get directions

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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.