Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu near Altamonte Springs

Gracie Barra Seminole isn't inside Altamonte Springs — the academy sits just north, over the Seminole County line in Longwood, on West State Road 434. From most of Altamonte Springs it's a few minutes' drive: north on I-4 to the SR 434 exit, north on US 17-92, or straight up SR 434 through the Forest City side. It's a full martial arts school teaching Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (also known as Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, after the family that helped bring the art to the U.S.) — same Gracie Barra curriculum, same head professor, same mat, just a short trip up the road.

A Coaching Staff That Trains Law Enforcement

One thing that sets the mats here apart: a member of our coaching staff has spent years teaching defensive tactics to the people whose job is defensive tactics. Coach Heidi Cogburn has trained in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu since October 2014 and holds the rank of brown belt. Since 2017 she has served as a defensive-tactics instructor for the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), training local law-enforcement officers and Academy recruits, and has assisted Professor Dave Ogden and Gracie Barra Clermont with first-responder training and women's self-defense community classes. She has also taught women's ground-combatives courses for both FWC and the Altamonte Springs Police Department.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a leverage-based grappling art, widely practiced worldwide for self-defense as much as sport — and the instruction on our mats is the kind local law enforcement trains in. Read Coach Heidi's full bio, along with the rest of our instructor team, on the instructors page.

Programs for Kids and Adults

Little Champions (ages 4–6, Gi) trains Tuesday and Thursday, 5:00–6:00 PM, and Juniors (ages 7–13, Gi) trains Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 5:00–6:00 PM — both easy after-school drives up from Altamonte Springs. Our adult classes cover GB1 Fundamentals (beginner-friendly Gi), GB2 Advanced (Gi), and No-Gi BJJ through the week; see the full programs lineup and weekly class schedule for exact days and times. Open Mat runs Monday through Saturday, 1:00–2:00 PM, plus Sunday, 12:00–2:00 PM — the Sunday session is open to members and non-members alike, a no-commitment way to see the mats before signing up for anything. Prefer one-on-one instruction? Private Classes (solo or small groups of up to four) run Monday through Saturday.

Getting Here from Altamonte Springs

Altamonte Springs sits directly south of Longwood in Seminole County. Whichever route is closest to your start point, all three — I-4, US 17-92, and SR 434 through Forest City — connect Altamonte Springs to our door on West SR 434.

Get Directions →

Visit the Academy

Gracie Barra Seminole is at 1060 W State Road 434, Suite #100, Longwood, FL 32750.

Hours: Mon 7:30 AM–7:00 PM · Tue–Thu 6:30 AM–7:00 PM · Fri 7:30 AM–7:00 PM · Sat 7:30 AM–5:00 PM · Sun 12:00–2:00 PM (Open Mat)

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do Altamonte Springs students train?

At our Longwood academy, 1060 W SR 434, Suite #100 — a short drive north via I-4 or US 17-92.

Do you teach self-defense?

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a grappling art widely practiced for self-defense. Our coaching staff includes Coach Heidi Cogburn, a defensive-tactics instructor for the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) who has taught women's ground-combatives courses for both FWC and the Altamonte Springs Police Department.

Are there classes for kids?

Yes — Little Champions (ages 4–6, Gi) trains Tuesday and Thursday, 5:00–6:00 PM, and Juniors (ages 7–13, Gi) trains Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 5:00–6:00 PM.

How do I try a class?

Book a free trial class or call (321) 972-4693. Sunday Open Mat, 12:00–2:00 PM, also welcomes non-members.

Also nearby: Casselberry · Longwood · Seminole County