ConfidenceThey EarnOn The Mat.
Our main youth program. Carlson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu first, plus a new specialty theme every month. They get strong, learn to handle pressure and make friends who push them to be better.
Bulldogs Trial
Official Grounds Uniform Included
2 Weeks + Official Uniform
Everything your child needs to find out if they love it.
- 2 weeks of Bulldogs classes
- Official Grounds uniform included
- Class matched to their age and size
- No contract to try it
Sound Familiar?
Sound like your kid?
- Quiet around new kids, or hangs back from trying new things
- Loads of energy and nowhere good to put it
- Screens are winning the after-school hours
- Needs a coach who expects something from them
Here's what parents notice first:
- Walks in with their head up and says hi to their teammates
- Comes home tired, proud and ready for bed
- Trades scrolling for a skill they can show you
- Learns that showing up and working hard pays off
8,000
square feet of mats, cage and room to grow
Designed For This Age
Calm Under Pressure.
Jiu-Jitsu teaches kids to control a situation without punching or kicking. They learn to stay calm when someone is bigger, to breathe through hard moments and to help the next kid up.
Real Self-Defense
Control and escapes that work, taught without teaching kids to hurt anyone.
Earned Confidence
Every stripe is earned. Kids know exactly what they did to get it.
A Mat Family
Coaches who know their name and teammates who cheer when they win.
Carlson Gracie Lineage
Led by Joshua Frye, 1st Degree Carlson Gracie Black Belt.
Focus & Listening
Drills that reward kids who listen the first time.
Fit & Strong
Real movement that builds strength, balance and endurance.
Monthly rotating specialty curriculum
A new discipline every month.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is the foundation. As kids progress, monthly specialty themes like MMA and Filipino martial arts introduce them to new disciplines, while their Jiu-Jitsu keeps moving forward.
Variety makes skills stick
Sports scientists call it varied practice. Decades of motor-learning research show that people who practice a mix of related skills remember them longer, and use them better under pressure, than people who drill one thing on repeat.
Kids stay excited
A new theme every month gives kids something to look forward to. Kids who look forward to class keep coming, and that's what builds real confidence.
Skills that connect
Real situations don't stick to one style. Rotating through disciplines builds hands, kicks, clinch and ground skills that work together.
Planned, not improvised
Every month follows an organized lesson plan, and each program's plans run up to six years. We don't teach from the hip.
Curriculum built with world-class names
Our lesson plans draw on the systems and expertise of these respected leaders in martial arts:
Carlson Gracie Jr.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Duke Roufus
Muay Thai & Kickboxing
Julius Melegrito
Filipino Martial Arts
Sharir Richman
ICCS Krav Maga
What A Class Looks Like
Line Up & Warm-Up
Bow in, movement drills and games that build coordination.
Technique
One skill taught step by step, with coaches fixing details up close.
Partner Work
Kids practice with partners their size, always supervised.
Live Rounds & Recognition
Controlled rounds, then the effort call-outs kids love.
Within The First Few Weeks
What Parents Notice First
You won't have to wonder if it's working. Bulldogs parents tell us about these changes again and again.
They walk taller at school and around other kids
They push through hard things instead of quitting
They listen to coaches, teachers and you
They choose the mat over the screen
Built For This Age
Tough Training. Safe Place.
Real martial arts, taught the careful way. Here's how we keep every child safe while they grow.
Academy Safe Accredited
Every coach is background-checked and SafeSport certified. CPR, first aid, an AED on site and security cameras.
Planned, Every Minute
Classes follow a written lesson plan built for their age, so there's no chaos and no wasted time.
Effort Over Ego
We cheer the kid who tries hardest. No yelling, no shaming, no rough play.
Every Stripe Means Something
Belt days at The Grounds are a big deal, and the whole mat family shows up for them.
Clear Goals
Kids know what they're working toward and how close they are.
Coaches Who Care
Our coaches know every kid by name.
Pride They Bring Home
Expect moves in the living room.
Why Families Stay
Parents come for a trial. They stay for the coaches, the mat family and the change they see at home.
5.0★
average across 477 Google and Facebook reviews
37
years of martial arts behind the head instructor
8,000
square feet of mats and room to grow
Parents Are Amazed
Real Bonita Springs
Families.
"Been coming to the grounds for a few months now and absolutely love it. Initially started coming to try something new with my 10 year old son. He loves it and I love it. Clean facility, excellent coaches, fantastic learning environment, as well as great “mat family”. Highly recommend to anyone looking to better themselves in anyway or even try something new."
— Brandle Tillman
"My son and daughter have both been going here for months. We all LOVE The Grounds! The lessons, training, and kids are all so great and Coaches Brian, Zeke, and Tyler are amazing with the kiddos! They learn self- discipline, motivation, respect, and a lot about working together and helping each other. Plus they play fun games that the kids have a blast with. Mat Family!!!!"
— Jodie Noel
"I cannot say enough wonderful things about Training Grounds. Not only is the curriculum for the children’s program incredibly well designed but the instructors are phenomenal. They take the time to get to know the kids and make them well rounded little ninjas. It is a great family atmosphere and there is a lot of focus on hard work and discipline done in a fun way. I highly recommend it!"
— Kristine Marcus
"Amazing academy! The coaches are amazing with the kids. Coach Derrick and Coach Happy keep the kids engaged and motivated! My son loves the grounds!"
— Xochilt Cabrera
Black Belt
Led Programs
1,000s
Families Trained
477
5.0-Star Reviews
Black Belt
Head Instructor
Their First Stripe
Starts Here.
Bulldogs Trial
Official Grounds Uniform Included
2 Weeks + Official Uniform
Everything your child needs to find out if they love it.
- 2 weeks of Bulldogs classes
- Official Grounds uniform included
- Class matched to their age and size
- No contract to try it
Joshua Frye
"Come try two weeks. If it's not the right fit, there's no contract and no pressure. I want every Bonita Springs family to feel at home on our mat."
1st Degree Carlson Gracie Black Belt
Founder & Head Instructor · The Grounds MMA Academy
Common Questions
Got Questions?
Their First Stripe
Starts Here.
2 weeks of classes plus a uniform for $69.99. No contract to try it.
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