Home › Virginia › Charlottesville › Gracie Charlottesville (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai)
Gracie Charlottesville (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai)
5 ★★★★★ 115 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in Charlottesville, Virginia
Authentic Thai — reviews and the gym's own info point to coaching rooted in Thailand's muay thai tradition. If lineage matters to you, ask where the coaches trained and about their kru.
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 (ages 3) — 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
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule graciecharlottesville.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (434) 688-4482
Hours
| Monday | 6–10 AM, 12–1:30 PM, 3:45–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 6–9 AM, 12–1 PM, 3:45–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 6–10 AM, 12–1:30 PM, 3:45–9 PM |
| Thursday | 6–9 AM, 12–1 PM, 3:45–9 PM |
| Friday | 6–9 AM, 3:45–9 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM–12 PM |
| Sunday | 9 AM–12 PM |
The classes they run
“The environment is welcoming, family-oriented, and perfect for practitioners of all levels, whether you’re just starting out or sharpening your game for competition.”
“The facility and locker room spaces are immaculate, and they have a top notch kids program among many others!”
“Walking into a new gym, especially as a woman, can be intimidating, but everyone here is really welcoming and friendly.”
“It is a great and effective way to learn self defense, meet people, and get some exercise.”
“I called the school and Brent answered and invited us to their open mat.”
Other martial arts here
“I have been wanting to try BJJ for a while and I finally decided to, I am so glad I picked Gracie Charlottesville.”
What members say
“The coaches and trainers are all world class, the environment is very welcoming with a nice variety of people to train with.”
“The coaches and trainers are all world class, the environment is very welcoming with a nice variety of people to train with.”
“The environment is welcoming, family-oriented, and perfect for practitioners of all levels, whether you’re just starting out or sharpening your game for competition.”
“The instructors are world-class, breaking down technique in a way that’s both detailed and easy to apply, and they kept me fully engaged through every session.”
“The classes are a really intense workout and so much fun, there has not been a day yet where I didn’t leave dripping in sweat with a smile on my face!”
“The environment is welcoming, family-oriented, and perfect for practitioners of all levels, whether you’re just starting out or sharpening your game for competition.”
From the reviews
I was searching for a place to train after moving to Charlottesville and was very fortunate to find Gracie Charlottesville. The instructors and other students have been very welcoming. Adam, Brent, and Shelby are very knowledgeable, supportive instructors who foster a safe and fun training atmosphere.
I started at Gracie about three months ago and absolutely love the Muay Thai program! Each of the instructors (Kristen, Brad, Amy, Todd) is dedicated and knowledgeable, and always willing to answer any questions or offer extra help. The gym is clean, organized, and well-managed.
I trained here for a month while visiting my parents in VA and I had a great time! Everyone was super welcoming, from the staff to the students. The coaches instructed clearly and were always open to questions and would provide feedback if you were having trouble with anything.
Gracie Charlottesville is not only a fantastic place to train but a fantastic place to develop further as both an adult and child. They provide a clean high quality facility with several fantastic coaches that truly care and go out of their way bring you into the gym family.
New to muay thai? Start at Gracie Charlottesville (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai)
Gracie Charlottesville (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai) comes up as a beginner-friendly gym, going by their listing and members’ reviews. 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.
Your first muay thai class at Gracie Charlottesville (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai)
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.
More muay thai gyms near Charlottesville
Mastering MMA a MMA Institute affiliate
4.8 ★★★★★ 42 reviews
🥊 Free trial class — check their site
Total Defense Martial Arts
5 ★★★★★ 33 reviews
Middle Ground Martial Arts
5 ★★★★★ 18 reviews