Home › Colorado › Lakewood › The Sanctuary Brazilian JiuJitsu and Fitness
The Sanctuary Brazilian JiuJitsu and Fitness
5 ★★★★★ 48 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Lakewood, Colorado
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
- 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 thesanctuarybjjandfitness.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 720-383-1617
Hours
| Monday | 7 am–12:30 pm, 5–9 pm |
| Tuesday | 10:30 am–1 pm, 5–9 pm |
| Wednesday | 7 am–12:30 pm, 5–9 pm |
| Thursday | 10:30 am–1 pm, 5–9 pm |
| Friday | 7 am–12:30 pm, 5–7 pm |
| Saturday | 8 am–1 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“My son began training in their younger kids class when he turned 4 and has continued to be a student there for 3 years now.”
“Whether you're looking to get in shape, learn self-defense, or compete at a high level, this gym has everything you need to achieve your goals.”
“I highly recommend this gym for someone who wants one-on-one support in a fun group atmosphere.”
“Whether you're looking to get in shape, learn self-defense, or compete at a high level, this gym has everything you need to achieve your goals.”
“Ben and Charlee are incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and dedicated to helping every student improve, whether you're a complete beginner or more experienced.”
Other martial arts here
“My foundation was in MMA when I relocated here from the Springs I wanted a gym with a good atmosphere and tough training partners.”
“Brazilian JiuJitsu is taught by Professor Ben Lowry and Judo is taught by Professor Charlee Minkin (2004 Olympic Athlete and the primary reason I decided to train at this academy!”
What members say
“Charlee, Lucas, and Ben are amazing coaches who’ve helped me improve my CrossFit-style skills and push myself in ways I never thought I could.”
“Ben and Charlee are incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and dedicated to helping every student improve, whether you're a complete beginner or more experienced.”
“If you’re looking for a smaller, welcoming community where everyone knows your name and genuinely supports your goals, this is it!”
“I have been attending strength and conditioning classes here with Charlee for the past 4 years and can say, without a doubt, she has pushed me to the next level.”
“I have been a member of the Sanctuary for over 5 years and have 4 kids enrolled in their BJJ kids program.”
“Whether you're looking to get in shape, learn self-defense, or compete at a high level, this gym has everything you need to achieve your goals.”
From the reviews
I chanced upon this gym five years ago, and it's changed my life for the better. Ben Lowry and Charlee Minkin, the owners, are superb instructors with a high level of knowledge and skill in both Brazilian jiujitsu and judo.
Undoubtedly the best BJJ and CrossFit gym in the greater Lakewood area if not all of Colorado! Coach Charlie Minkin and her husband Coach Ben Lowry started this gym in 2012 and never looked back. They poured their heart and soul into their passion of Martial Arts and their hard work shows for it.
I Have been training here for a few years now. One of the best decisions ive ever made. Ben and Charlee are top notch instructors in Jiu Jitsu and Judo. The sense of community in the gym is great! And there is no shortage of good competition. I also do Xfit here which has drastically improved my strength and agility.
My husband, myself and our children have been training CrossFit and BJJ at the sanctuary for a few years now. Ben and Charlie are not only amazing trainers but have become like family to us. The program for the children has boosted their confidence and strength immensely!
New to BJJ? Start at The Sanctuary Brazilian JiuJitsu and Fitness
The Sanctuary Brazilian JiuJitsu and Fitness 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 The Sanctuary Brazilian JiuJitsu and Fitness
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.
More BJJ gyms near Lakewood
BJJ GROUNDS
5 ★★★★★ 12 reviews
Nova Mente Jiu Jitsu Academy
5 ★★★★★ 136 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
Pound 4 Pound Muay Thai
5 ★★★★★ 86 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site