Home › Pennsylvania › Carlisle › Tiger Shark BJJ / Carlson Gracie Team PA
Tiger Shark BJJ / Carlson Gracie Team PA
5 ★★★★★ 88 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Part of Carlson Gracie
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
- 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 tigersharkbjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
Hours
| Monday | 10:45 AM–12:15 PM, 5:15–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 10:45 AM–12:15 PM, 5:15–8:45 PM |
| Wednesday | 10:45 AM–12:15 PM, 5:15–8 PM |
| Thursday | 10:45 AM–12:15 PM, 5:15–8:45 PM |
| Friday | 10:45 AM–12:15 PM, 5–8 PM |
| Saturday | 10:30 AM–12:30 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“My son Michael has been training at Tiger Shark Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with Marcelo Mattos for the past eight months, and the experience has been outstanding.”
“Michael is preparing for MMA competition, jiu-jitsu tournaments, and the upcoming college wrestling season, and the quality of instruction has been second to none.”
“My son is experienced for age, having trained for six years and my daughter is a beginner, but each are getting just what they need from the instructors to improve.”
Other martial arts here
“Michael is preparing for MMA competition, jiu-jitsu tournaments, and the upcoming college wrestling season, and the quality of instruction has been second to none.”
“If BJJ is not your thing, check out their Kickboxing classes for a different experience.”
“Michael is preparing for MMA competition, jiu-jitsu tournaments, and the upcoming college wrestling season, and the quality of instruction has been second to none.”
What members say
“If you’re looking for a place with excellent coaching, a positive atmosphere, and instructors who truly invest in their students, I highly recommend Tiger Shark!”
“Given the welcoming environment and the emphasis on safe (but effective) learning, this would be a great place to start BJJ for those who have never tried it before.”
“I can say for sure that, if my friends and/or family are visiting the area, around Shark BJJ, I will definitely recommend them stop by to train.”
“Whether you’re stepping onto the mats for the first time or refining advanced techniques, you’ll be supported every step of the way.”
“Professor Marcelo is great with kids and offers children’s classes in a variety of age groups!”
“Michael is preparing for MMA competition, jiu-jitsu tournaments, and the upcoming college wrestling season, and the quality of instruction has been second to none.”
From the reviews
I started BJJ here with no prior grappling experience. After only 2 months of training, I have made significant growth in this sport and have increased my confidence and have made significant progress in my mental health. There are multiple training sessions each day, which allows for flexibility in schedules.
Professor Marcelo Mattos is probably one the highest jiu-jitsu rank we had a pleasure to have as customer. BJJFinder, we are the biggest jiu-jitsu database present in many different social media platforms today.
Great BJJ gym just outside Carlisle Barracks. Professor Mattos is an outstanding instructor of Brazilian jiujitsu who cares deeply about his students. He and his team made me feel like part of the family during my short 3 month stay in the area.
I joined this gym in January of 2020. As a college student, it gives me something to look forward to get my mind off school work. I only went 2-3 times a week when I first started. Almost after a year in, I now go 7-9 times a week. I have met some great friends here. Everyone pushes you to be the best you can.
New to BJJ? Start at Tiger Shark BJJ / Carlson Gracie Team PA
Tiger Shark BJJ / Carlson Gracie Team PA 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 Tiger Shark BJJ / Carlson Gracie Team PA
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. 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 Carlisle
Carlisle Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Judo
4.9 ★★★★★ 34 reviews
Dillsburg BJJ
5 ★★★★★ 55 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
Forum Jiu-Jitsu Academy
5 ★★★★★ 11 reviews