Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Martial Arts School Near Orlando, FL

Gracie Barra Seminole isn't inside Orlando, and we won't pretend otherwise — the academy is in Longwood, Seminole County, a straightforward drive up I-4 or US 17-92 from most of the city, and especially close for anyone in north or northwest Orlando. If you've searched "BJJ Orlando," "jiu jitsu Orlando," "Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu near Orlando," or "martial arts school near Orlando FL," this is the Gracie Barra academy those searches lead to: a full martial arts school running kids and adult classes, No-Gi BJJ, and a daily Open Mat, seven days a week.

A Martial Arts School for Every Age

Whether you're looking for children's martial arts classes for your kids or a fresh start in adult Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and self-defense classes for yourself, the program lineup at Gracie Barra Seminole covers all of it on one Longwood mat:

• Little Champions (ages 4–6, Gi) — Tuesday & Thursday, 5:00–6:00 PM. Kids martial arts built around confidence, focus, and belt progression through the Gracie Barra Kids curriculum.
• Juniors (ages 7–13, Gi) — Monday, Wednesday & Friday, 5:00–6:00 PM.
• GB1 Fundamentals (adult, Gi) — the entry point for adult classes: core positions, techniques, and concepts, built for beginners with zero grappling background.
• GB2 Advanced (adult, Gi) — live training and competition prep for students ready to push further.
• No-Gi BJJ — GB1 & GB2 No-Gi classes run through the week, no kimono required.
• Open Mat — Monday–Saturday, 1:00–2:00 PM, plus Sunday, 12:00–2:00 PM, open to members and non-members alike — a low-pressure way to see the academy before making the drive a habit.
• Private Classes — one-on-one or small-group (up to four people) sessions, Monday–Saturday. Not included in standard membership.

See the full programs lineup or the weekly class schedule for exact days and times.

Coaching Built for Busy Adults — Meet Professor Sammy Rider

One reason the drive from Orlando is worth it: the coaching staff includes people who think about training the way a working adult needs to. Professor Sammy has trained in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu since 2008 and earned a black belt in 2018, with a focus on making the mat welcoming and accessible for everyone. Outside the academy, Sammy works as a physical therapist assistant — a background that shapes a coaching philosophy built around longevity and injury prevention, useful for anyone starting adult classes later in life or squeezing training around a demanding Orlando work schedule. Meet Sammy and the rest of the team on the instructors page.

Why Train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu — and Why Here

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu — sometimes still called Gracie Jiu-Jitsu after the Brazilian family that developed and spread it — is a leverage-based grappling art practiced for self-defense, fitness, and sport by kids and adults of every size and background; no athletic head start is required to learn it well. Gracie Barra Seminole is proudly part of the Gracie Barra family, the world's largest Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu organization, and Orlando is already part of that reach: alongside students from across Seminole County, the academy already welcomes students who make the trip in from throughout Central Florida, Orlando included. Head Professor Rodrigo Costa (4th Degree Black Belt), Professor John Montaldo (Black Belt), Professor Sammy Rider (Black Belt), Coach Heidi Cogburn (Brown Belt), and Coach Keith Gumbs (Brown Belt) lead every class — the same instructors and the same Gracie Barra curriculum whether you walk in from Longwood or drive up from Orlando.

For students specifically interested in self-defense, Coach Heidi Cogburn brings a background most martial arts schools can't match: she's a defensive-tactics instructor for the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), training local law-enforcement officers and Academy recruits, and has taught women's self-defense and ground-combatives courses for both FWC and the Altamonte Springs Police Department — real-world experience that carries directly onto our mat.

Getting Here from Orlando

From most of Orlando, the fastest way to Gracie Barra Seminole is north on I-4 to the State Road 434 exit, then a short stretch west to 1060 W State Road 434, Suite #100 — on SR 434 between I-4 and US 17-92. US 17-92 North is the alternative if that's the more direct route from your part of the city. The drive is shortest from north and northwest Orlando; wherever you're starting, both routes lead straight to our door.

Get Directions →

Visit Us

Gracie Barra Seminole is easy to find on West SR 434 in Longwood. Use the map below, get turn-by-turn directions, or reach out directly.

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

Is Gracie Barra Seminole located in Orlando?

No — the academy is in Longwood, Seminole County, at 1060 W State Road 434, Suite #100, a straightforward drive north on I-4 or US 17-92 from Orlando, and especially convenient for north and northwest Orlando.

What's the fastest way to get to the academy from Orlando?

Take I-4 North to the State Road 434 exit, or follow US 17-92 North — both routes lead directly to 1060 W SR 434, Suite #100, Longwood, FL 32750.

Do you offer self-defense classes for adults with no experience?

Yes — GB1 Fundamentals is built for adults starting from zero, and our coaching staff includes Coach Heidi Cogburn, a defensive-tactics instructor for the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission who has taught women's self-defense and ground-combatives courses.

Can I try a class before committing to the drive from Orlando?

Yes — Sunday Open Mat (12:00–2:00 PM) is open to members and non-members alike, and you can book a free trial class at gbseminole.com/booking.

Also serving nearby: Altamonte Springs · Longwood · Seminole County