BJJ Classes Near Gallatin, TN
Gracie lineage Brazilian Jiu Jitsu — IBJJF certified instruction for adults and kids. Learn the world’s most effective ground-fighting system in a family-friendly environment.
What Is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) is a grappling-based martial art that focuses on ground fighting, submissions, and positional control. Developed by the Gracie family in Brazil, BJJ was designed to allow a smaller, weaker person to defend against a larger opponent using leverage, technique, and body mechanics rather than brute strength.
BJJ has proven itself as the most effective ground-fighting system in the world — it’s the backbone of modern mixed martial arts and a cornerstone of military and law enforcement combatives programs. But beyond competition and self-defense, Jiu Jitsu builds problem-solving ability, mental toughness, and a deep sense of community among training partners.
Authentic Gracie Lineage: Our BJJ program operates under the Rocian Gracie Jr. organization — a direct lineage to the founding Gracie family. KwanJangNim Spillmann received his Black Belt under Professor Rocian Gracie Jr., grandson of Carlos Gracie, the founder of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. This isn’t just a BJJ class — it’s part of the Gracie tradition.
What You’ll Learn
A complete grappling education — from fundamental positions to advanced submissions.
Learn to control and attack from your back using closed guard, open guard, half guard, and butterfly guard. Turn a defensive position into an offensive weapon.
Gain the ability to bring a fight to the ground on your terms. Single-legs, double-legs, trips, and hip throws adapted for BJJ competition and self-defense.
Chokes, joint locks, and sweeps — the tools that end a confrontation. Learn armbars, triangles, kimuras, guillotines, and dozens of finishing techniques.
Mount, side control, back control, knee-on-belly — master the dominant positions that give you the advantage in any ground exchange.
Train in the traditional kimono (Gi) and without it (No-Gi). Each develops different grips, strategies, and attributes — well-rounded grapplers train both.
Real-world self-defense scenarios that go beyond sport. Learn to control, de-escalate, and protect yourself using Gracie self-defense fundamentals.
Who Is Jiu Jitsu For?
BJJ is built on the principle that technique overcomes size and strength. That makes it accessible to everyone.
Anti-bullying confidence, discipline, and problem-solving through controlled grappling. Safe, supervised training.
No experience needed. Our fundamentals program builds your base from the ground up — literally.
IBJJF-certified instruction and competition preparation for students who want to test their skills in tournaments.
Learn to protect yourself in the most common real-world scenario — close-range confrontation on the ground.
Your BJJ Instructors
50+ years in martial arts. Received his BJJ Black Belt directly under Professor Rocian Gracie Jr. — grandson of Carlos Gracie. Founder of GMA and lifelong competitor, coach, and teacher.
Kukkiwon / GMA / IBJJF certified. Trains across multiple disciplines and brings energy and patience to every class — especially with younger students.
Multi-discipline martial artist and BJJ coach. Brings technical precision and a calm teaching style to both adult and youth classes.
Belt Progression
BJJ uses a stripe-and-belt system with separate tracks for kids and adults. Each belt includes 4 stripes earned through training time, technique, and instructor evaluation before promotion to the next rank.
Each belt includes 4 stripes earned through consistent training, technique demonstration, and instructor evaluation. Kids transition to the adult belt system at age 16. Promotion timelines are guidelines — advancement is based on skill, not just time on the mat.
Flexible Plans For Every Budget
Depending on program length and number of classes per week
What Students Are Saying
“Great family environment with excellent people! Very knowledgeable Instructors, that you can tell truly love what they do! Look forward to my classes each week!!”
“You won’t find a school around here that offers better training, whether it be in TKD, BJJ, CH… most schools nowadays are just black belt farms — they hand out black belts like candy. There aren’t a lot of real schools out there anymore, but GMA is definitely the real deal… and I’m glad that we are a part of it.”
Jiu Jitsu FAQ
Most martial arts focus on striking (punches, kicks). BJJ focuses almost entirely on ground fighting — takedowns, positional control, and submissions like chokes and joint locks. The core principle is that a smaller person can defeat a larger attacker using leverage and technique rather than strength. This makes it one of the most practical self-defense systems in the world.
The Gracie family created Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Our program operates under the Rocian Gracie Jr. organization — Rocian is the grandson of Carlos Gracie, the founder of BJJ. KwanJangNim Spillmann received his Black Belt directly from Rocian Gracie Jr. This means our curriculum, techniques, and standards come from the source — not a watered-down version.
No. BJJ will get you into shape — you don’t need to be in shape to start. Your first few weeks will be an adjustment, but that’s normal. The whole point of BJJ is that technique overcomes athleticism. Our instructors pace beginners appropriately and you’ll be paired with experienced training partners who help you learn safely.
Gi training uses the traditional kimono (jacket and pants), which allows grip-based techniques like collar chokes and sleeve controls. No-Gi training uses a rash guard and shorts — it’s faster-paced with more emphasis on body locks, underhooks, and wrestling-style grips. Both are included in our program because well-rounded grapplers need both skill sets.
Typically around 2 years of consistent training. You’ll earn 4 stripes on your White Belt before being promoted to Blue. Each stripe represents progress in technique, live rolling ability, and understanding of positions. BJJ is known for having one of the longest promotion timelines in martial arts — every belt is genuinely earned.
Ready to Try Jiu Jitsu?
Your first class is free — no commitment, no pressure. Just show up ready to learn and our instructors will guide you through everything.
509 Garnet Ct, Suite 100, Gallatin, TN 37066
info@gmagallatin.com · Walk-ins welcome
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