Carlson Gracie Columbus

This gym is an integral part of my life. The training that I receive here is elite, and Brandon is a top tier coach. I’ve been coming for almost 4 years and have made lifelong friendships, while bettering myself physically. Whatever your level of training or skill, there is a place for everyone here.

I have known Brandon for almost a decade and watched him grow from a beginner to a passionate practitioner and instructor. He dedicates himself to his students' growth and understanding of all aspects of jiu jitsu and takes pride in teaching them the Carlson Gracie style and philosophy of fighting. Brandon is practical instructor with real world experience that can impart his teachings in a way that few can. His gym is inviting and friendly that is welcoming to both the first time student and seasoned practitioner.

I would highly recommend Carlson Gracie Columbus for anyone looking to receive great instruction in the art of Jiu Jitsu. The instructor, Brandon Willis, is top notch in providing great techniques and making sure you master it before moving on to the next. He caters to the needs of all students no matter what ranking. Also, the new location is GREAT for people living in Dublin, Hilliard, Upper Arlington, Clintonville, and much more. Now is the best time to come check it out especially with the added class hours during the week. You don't know the best until you've seen it.. Come check it out!! :)

Over all instruction is good. Lots of attention paid to wrestling and boxing skills with not as much focus on bjj as I would have liked. Instructor appears to teach what he wants to work on personally and not what the students need to learn. Took a few private lessons. The lessons were not structured and the instructor basically asked "so, what do you want to do.?" This never fills me with confidence in someones teaching ability. Last private lesson was a beat down. For whatever reason, the instructor was in a foul mood and I was crushed for 45 minutes in a sparring match I didn't need or ask for. I've been beaten and taken my losses , but this was probably personal given I was visiting other schools during their open mat times. This would allow me to roll with different people, since open mat is a sparring session and not a class. He was either ticked about that, or stressed from having a kid. Either way it was time to move onto a different school. Seems like the instructor is a good competitor but he's not there as a coach yet.

I went there with my child for a tryout and was extremely disappointed. From knowing the reputation of this academy, and after watching the YouTube video, I made the decision to bring my kid to try. The main reason was to help improving my kids confidence and inclusion by practicing a sport that teaches self defense, discipline, responsibility, and help them to boost their self confidence. Well, I got a little late, but my child stayed at the tryout. There were more kids of 3-5 than kids of her age. She is 9. Only one other girls about same age was there. Watching from distance. I could see how uncomfortable my child was, I was impressed how the instructor didn’t notice the way the other girl was treating my kid. After 30 minutes of practice, I called my child, and asked her, “You didn’t like it right?” And she started crying and after we left she told me those words: “They are selling a lie, the studio doesn’t look like the one I saw on the video, the instructor seemed to be more connected with the students, it looked fun, but I felt excluded and the other girl was mean to me.” That broke my heart! It was supposed to be fun and joyfully. I didn’t receive any call back from anyone from the studio asking why we left before the tryout finished, and not even to do a follow up. The instructor in my opinion needs to learn more about reading kids signal, and direct them properly on how to do the practice. My child never did Jiu-Jitsu and she was grown into the wolfs without any concern. I am very disappointed.