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BJJ Swamp Academy

4.9 ★★★★★ 196 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in Gainesville, Florida

Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Fight team

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 muay thai classes — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Women's classes dedicated women's muay thai classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
  • Sparring & clinch sparring and clinch sessions for members ready for controlled contact — always optional and coach-supervised
  • Fight team a competition team for members who want to test themselves as amateur fighters
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule bjjswampacademy.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (352) 284-6563

Hours

Monday 9–11 AM, 4:45–8:30 PM
Tuesday 9–11 AM, 5:30–9 PM
Wednesday 10 AM–12:30 PM, 5–8:30 PM
Thursday 9–11:30 AM, 4:45–8 PM
Friday 9–11 AM, 5–8 PM
Saturday 9:30 AM–1 PM
Sunday 12:30–1:30 PM, 6–7 PM

Hours shift for holidays, seminars, and open-gym times — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

Muay thai classes on the schedule at BJJ Swamp Academy, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🌱 Beginner Muay Thai 3 mentions

“There’s morning and night classes 7 days a week and over 25 available classes on a given week for both beginners and advanced classes.”

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🧒 Kids Muay Thai 9 mentions

“When I enrolled my son in BJJ Swamp Academy, I did not imagine that this gym would become our second home in town.”

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💪 Women's Muay Thai 2 mentions

“There is a great group of women here and they even have a women’s class every Friday night!”

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Teen Muay Thai

“I would recommend this academy for any child, teen and adult!”

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🥊 Sparring 5 mentions

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🏆 Fight Team 2 mentions

“It is a place you can call home whether you are seeking to compete, learn self defense, or get a good workout.”

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🛡️ Self-Defense

“It is a place you can call home whether you are seeking to compete, learn self defense, or get a good workout.”

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Other martial arts here

Muay thai gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at BJJ Swamp Academy — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🦵 Kickboxing 2 mentions

“I originally went in for kickboxing, which was great on its own, but I also decided to try jiu-jitsu and had so much fun!”

Other gyms that also teach kickboxing →

🥋 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) 28 mentions

“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I trained at The Swamp Gainesville for about a year before work required me to relocate, and I can confidently say it’s one of the best BJJ schools I’ve ever been a part of.”

Other gyms that also teach brazilian jiu-jitsu (bjj) →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the gym's own info — they show what members have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want BJJ, boxing, or MMA alongside muay thai, confirm the current schedule with the gym.

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 196 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, authentic coaching 2 mentions

“The coaches are knowledgeable, patient, and do a great job of creating a positive learning environment.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 14 mentions

“There’s morning and night classes 7 days a week and over 25 available classes on a given week for both beginners and advanced classes.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly gym 24 mentions

“From day one, the atmosphere was extremely welcoming and friendly, with a strong sense of community that makes you want to keep coming back.”

📘 real technique & fundamentals 6 mentions

“The instructors give great attention to detail in every lesson, which really helps you improve whether you’re new or experienced.”

🥊 legit sparring & fight team 10 mentions

“after a few competitions, numerous potlucks and a couple promotions Swamp feels like a place safe from the distractions of the world.”

💗 welcoming to women 5 mentions

“There is a great group of women here and they even have a women’s class every Friday night!”

From the reviews

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I’ve been training at BJJ Swamp Academy for about 5 years, along with my younger brother, and I can honestly say this place is more than just a jiu-jitsu gym. Ken, the black belt owner, doesn’t just teach techniques — he’s been like a big brother and mentor to me over the years.

★★★★★ — Carl, Jan 2026

I started training at the swamp about 8 months ago. This isn’t the first gym I’ve trained at but it’s definitely been my favorite. The community here is something that is so welcoming, a lot of different backgrounds, and people at different training levels making it a great place to learn and really craft your own…

★★★★★ — Taylor, May 2025

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I trained at The Swamp Gainesville for about a year before work required me to relocate, and I can confidently say it’s one of the best BJJ schools I’ve ever been a part of. It’s a great place for complete beginners, but it also offers a high-level environment for more experienced practitioners.

★★★★★ — Jeremy, Jan 2026

When I enrolled my son in BJJ Swamp Academy, I did not imagine that this gym would become our second home in town. My son trains four days a week, and I’m even considering starting classes myself. All the coaches are awesome and so nice and fun with the kids. I have special appreciation for Mr.

★★★★★ — Paloma, Apr 2026

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 196 reviews →

New to muay thai? Start at BJJ Swamp Academy

BJJ Swamp Academy comes up as a beginner-friendly gym — noted on their own site. If you've never thrown a punch or a kick, 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 to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and coaches scale the conditioning to you. Second, you won't be thrown into sparring — reputable gyms build fundamentals (stance, footwork, and the basic strikes of the "art of eight limbs") for weeks before any contact, and sparring stays optional. 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. Most gyms are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first muay thai class at BJJ Swamp Academy

Nervous about walking into a muay thai 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 the basics on pads and bags — not fighting. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: shorts or athletic wear and a t-shirt; you'll train barefoot on the mats. What to bring: water and hand wraps if you have them — many gyms lend gloves for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gloves, wraps, a mouthguard, and shin guards. Sparring is optional and comes later, 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.

Muay thai is a contact sport. Ease in, listen to your coaches, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find BJJ Swamp Academy

3300 SW Archer Rd SUITE100, Gainesville, FL32608

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this gym? Claim your listing — it's free.