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Wander Braga Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 112 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Cornelius, North Carolina
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 3–15) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule wanderbragabjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 704-303-0896
Hours
| Monday | 7 am–8:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 11 am–8:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 7 am–8:30 pm |
| Thursday | 11 am–8:30 pm |
| Friday | 7 am–6:30 pm |
| Saturday | 10 am–12 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“They are very attentive to the kids as well, working with those who may need extra support in learning daily skills to perform well.”
“The environment is welcoming, disciplined, and motivating for all levels—from beginners to experienced competitors.”
“The kids have so much fun while also learning valuable skills, getting great exercise, and building confidence through safe self-defense techniques.”
“The environment is welcoming, disciplined, and motivating for all levels—from beginners to experienced competitors.”
Other martial arts here
“I highly recommend them for both kids and adults interested in jiu-jitsu, kickboxing, or Muay Thai.”
“I highly recommend them for both kids and adults interested in jiu-jitsu, kickboxing, or Muay Thai.”
What members say
“Professor Wander Braga is incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and passionate about teaching real, high-level jiu-jitsu.”
“On top of being one of the most skilled grapplers in the world, Braga BJJ is welcoming of all people and skill levels.”
“On top of being one of the most skilled grapplers in the world, Braga BJJ is welcoming of all people and skill levels.”
“The environment is welcoming, disciplined, and motivating for all levels—from beginners to experienced competitors.”
“The classes build confidence and the community of people who train here or have kids that train here are wonderful - couldn’t recommend more and you won’t find better instructors!”
From the reviews
If you're looking to train Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in the Cornelius area, look no further than Wander Braga Jiu Jitsu! On top of being one of the most skilled grapplers in the world, Braga BJJ is welcoming of all people and skill levels.
I was visiting my parents in NC and called around to a couple of gyms. Wander BJJ got back to me super quick about drop in information. Right when I walked in I was warmly welcomed by Iggy and a couple of other students. Great lesson, great safe and fun rolls.
Wander Braga BJJ is an outstanding academy. Professor Wander Braga is incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and passionate about teaching real, high-level jiu-jitsu. The environment is welcoming, disciplined, and motivating for all levels—from beginners to experienced competitors.
Our 8 year old has been going to Wander Braga twice a week since the beginning of 2025. Wander and all the instructors have been incredible. The community they have built there is so wonderful and welcoming.
New to BJJ? Start at Wander Braga Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Wander Braga Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 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 Wander Braga Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
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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