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Team Kalista Martial Arts
4.7 ★★★★★ 50 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Hinesville, Georgia
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
- 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 teamkalistabjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 912-455-3153
Hours
| Monday | 12–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 12–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 12–8 pm |
| Thursday | 12–8 pm |
| Friday | 12–8 pm |
| Saturday | 12–8 pm |
| Sunday | 12–8 pm |
The classes they run
“From the moment we arrived, the coaches were incredibly welcoming, patient, and attentive— not just to us as parents, but especially to our kids.”
“I specifically like that they hold lots of no gi classes as well for real world application.”
“I specifically like that they hold lots of no gi classes as well for real world application.”
“If you're looking to compete and get that gold, then this is the place to come, five nights a week!”
“I specifically like that they hold lots of no gi classes as well for real world application.”
“Coach Josh and Coach Hunter take the time to work with both beginners and more experienced athletes, making sure everyone understands how to move and operate on the mat.”
Other martial arts here
“Whether it’s wrestling, boxing, or MMA-based training, the instruction is clear, professional, and hands-on.”
“Whether it’s wrestling, boxing, or MMA-based training, the instruction is clear, professional, and hands-on.”
“Whether it’s wrestling, boxing, or MMA-based training, the instruction is clear, professional, and hands-on.”
What members say
“I got to spend 2 years training with them, the Professor is very knowledgeable and a great teacher.”
“Coach Josh and Coach Hunter take the time to work with both beginners and more experienced athletes, making sure everyone understands how to move and operate on the mat.”
“From the moment we arrived, the coaches were incredibly welcoming, patient, and attentive— not just to us as parents, but especially to our kids.”
“Vance and Adam, both exceptionally skilled coaches, break down complex techniques in a way that’s easy to grasp, whether you're a total beginner or more advanced.”
“All three of my kiddos have trained at their gym and the discipline and love they received is priceless.”
“If you're looking to compete and get that gold, then this is the place to come, five nights a week!”
From the reviews
Man! I am so glad Professor Kaleam opened up this gym. Such a wonderful group of folks that make training a pleasure. I've not only found a place to burn calories and learn jiu jitsu, but I found a tight nit group of folks that act like family. If you're looking to get a good workout in, this is the place to come.
Joining this school is like joining a family. Everyone is there to help one another and Professor Kalista is an outstanding coach with a very easy to understand teaching method. You can’t ask for a better school to learn BJJ, or for better people to train with.
Joining Kalista’s BJJ was one of the best decisions I’ve made! Kaleum is not only an incredibly skilled black belt, but also an exceptional teacher. Vance and Adam, both exceptionally skilled coaches, break down complex techniques in a way that’s easy to grasp, whether you're a total beginner or more advanced.
Great place to have your kids learn true bjj techniques, respect and discipline. Kaelum Kalista really knows his Brazilian jitsu. Clean gym and coolest team of people.
New to BJJ? Start at Team Kalista Martial Arts
Team Kalista Martial Arts 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 Team Kalista Martial Arts
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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