Why Gracie Lake Norman is the Top Choice for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Mooresville and Lake Norman

After rotating my son through traditional team sports for years, we decided to take a chance at BJJ. It was the best chance we could have taken! The growth, focus, dedication, and accountability have been truly amazing. Not just in martial arts, but much wider reaching across life. My son earned his way onto the competition team, and recently took the podium with his first gold medal at a tournament! Ranard and his family have built something incredibly valuable here, and we are honored to be part of it. Thank you BJJ fam for all that you do!

I cannot speak more highly of Ranard and this facility. Along with his character, his knowledge is so extensive that he can easily break down the techniques to people who have no prior experience. We have done a few group sessions with him and will continue to do so. Highly recommend!

Regard’s training and his passion for BJJ, reflects a lot in the class structure. Look forward to training .

Great experience. We came here with Executive Club - our business mastermind group for young entrepreneurs aged 18-35. Ranard shared some great safety techniques and also some great wisdom with the guys. You can tell Ranard really knows what he's doing and is able to explain it in a way that makes people at any level enjoy the experience.

Awesome gym, amazing instructor & true competition training. If you want to join a gym full of stone cold focused athletes this is your place

Truly the best of the best- the instructors are top notch and our children are learning so much

We love the life skills that Ranard and his team teaches the kids. Our daughter has been training for about 6 months and has made massive gains in maturity.

Training with Ranard Brown has been an incredibly empowering experience. As a woman in a traditionally male-dominated sport, I look for instructors who not only know the art inside and out but also create a safe, supportive environment—and Ranard does exactly that. His attention to micro details is unmatched!! He breaks down each technique making sure I understand not just the “how” but also the “why.” What stands out most is how much he genuinely cares about his students' progress. He’s patient, encouraging, and pushes me to improve at my pace while showing me how to advance quickly. I’ve grown so much already in my skill and confidence, and I can’t wait for the next lesson!!!

I’m writing this as the parent of a student in the young kids class (coming for about 1.5 years now). When you get started, what you think you are paying for are jiujitsu lessons… but soon you’ll realize it is far beyond that. Ranard and his team offer more than a sport or outlet for rambunctious energy. It’s not just about weekly practice in discipline, confidence and focus. It is holistic, it is highly individual. It is unprecedented, really, what this team is doing. In this world, spaces like this are becoming so rare. It is all these things and more that will keep us coming for many years. Thank you Ranard, Leigh Ann & team!

GLKN has completely transformed my family’s life. What started as a place to train quickly became a source of strength, growth, and connection for all of us. The gym’s unique focus on life performance—intertwined with the discipline of martial arts—has had a deep and lasting impact. Personally, it’s helped shift my mentality and allowed me to transition my wrestling background into the patient, humbling art of jiu-jitsu. My daughter’s confidence has blossomed, her focus sharpened, and my wife has also experienced a meaningful personal evolution through the GLKN journey. It’s hard to describe the gratitude I feel. Professor Ranard, Ryan, and Allen have poured wisdom, patience, and purpose into every session—and I’m equally grateful for Leigh Ann, Ranard’s wife, who is the most accommodating and encouraging business owner I’ve ever encountered. There’s no pressure—just consistent support, thoughtful detail, and an uplifting energy that makes everyone feel welcome and seen. GLKN isn’t just a gym—it’s a sanctuary for growth, a place where families thrive, and a community that continues to enrich our lives every day.

My daughter has been attending this school since February. We started with a 7 day free trial and immediately my daughter was hooked. We have tried many different sports and activities and the only one that stuck was cheer until Beyond Jujitsu! She knew the first day this was something she wanted to dedicate her time to. It has boosted her self confidence and built discipline I didn’t think was possible for my sassy pre-teen. She is more focused in school and more helpful around the house all because of these coaches and what she has learned in a short amount of time. I’m very thankful to this crew and we will be recommending to everyone!!

Love love love this facility! My game has grown exponentially in just the past month of going here in areas I didn’t even realize existed. Over the last year and a half I’ve trained at a few different schools and been to dozens of trial classes as my job tends to take me to different locations. In my experience this school has everything you look for when trying to find a top rated school. It’s safe, the instructors are knowledgeable and organized. The classes are structured and promote an environment of progressional learning. The curriculum crafted by Ranard promotes development in all aspects of your Bjj game. The culture here is welcoming and supportive. Ranard and LeeAnn take great pride in their school and their students.

Gracie Lake Norman has been such a blessing for my family. My son Sam is in the 4–7 year-old class, and Coach Ranard has been amazing with the kids—not just teaching them Jiu-Jitsu, but also instilling discipline, accountability, and confidence. Sam is learning real skills that go far beyond the mat, and he genuinely looks forward to every class. Coach Ranard and Coach Ryan have also been instrumental in my own Jiu-Jitsu journey. They’ve helped me build a strong foundation, and their support, patience, and dedication are what make this place feel like more than just a gym. They’re becoming more than coaches—they’re becoming friends and family. A special thank you to Leigh Ann, who keeps everything organized and running smoothly. From making sure everyone has the right gi and belt to creating a welcoming environment, she truly holds it all together. And the parent community here is something special, too. It’s filled with like-minded, supportive people who share the same values. I’ve made genuine connections and feel part of something bigger every time I walk through the door. Gracie Lake Norman is a place of growth, community, and connection—for kids and adults alike. Highly recommend!

It's always the best part of my week when I get to come and take a class here. Very welcoming and uplifting place to attend

Gracie LKN is the best jiu jitsu gym we have been to. My son and I both take classes here. The teachers are 10/10 and also recommend the private sessions

I can't say enough great things about GLKN. My daughter has increased her attention and focus, improved her social skills and increased her strength. Not to mention she can really kick butt when it comes to the boys (proud father here!) She looks forward to going every single day. Very highly recommended!

I can’t recommend GLKN enough! I have two children that attend and the differences in both of them in the time they have been there has been amazing. Ranard empowers them to be independent and confident through his coaching style and teaches them the importance of being respectful and accountable to their own actions. He is teaching them to be young adults and learning jiu jitsu along the way is a fun addition 🙂 I have to mention his wife Leigh Ann as well, who’s communication and transparency in the joining process made both starting and continuing the journey feel welcoming, with no pressure. Thank you both for making a difference in these young children’s life’s!

I've been practicing jiujitsu since 2013 and absolutely love this school! Moved to the area about 2 years ago and was looking for a school to improve my training. After a few trials at other schools GLKN was far and above the best choice. The instructors are extraordinary and they take deep interest in every student's development no matter where you are in your BJJ journey. GLKN is well run, clean and ownership takes pride in being a close community. Male, female, young, old are all treated fairly and I am blessed to part of the GLKN family!

My children have been attending Jitsue classes at Gracie Lake Norman for several years now, and I can't express enough how transformative this experience has been for them. The environment is incredibly welcoming, fostering a strong sense of community and family among the students and instructors alike. The staff at Jitsue are not only skilled in their teaching but also genuinely care about the well-being and development of each child. They focus on building confidence, discipline, and respect and much more while ensuring that every class is engaging and fun. I've seen my kids grow in both their skills and character thanks to the positive influence of this wonderful place. Jitsue has become more than just a class; it’s a significant part of our family's life. I wholeheartedly recommend it to any parent looking for an enriching activity that will positively impact their children's growth. Thank you, for being such an amazing part of our lives!

Top tier training with top tier people 🤙🏽

We absolutely love it! You always feel welcomed and a part of the family. You will get out of it exactly what you put into it!

5 stars is not enough for the school. We love Gracie Lake Norman Jiu-Jitsu. It’s ran by an awesome family and coach Ranard is the best. Our daughter has improved so much this past year on and off the mat! We are so thankful to have found this school.

Gracie Lake Norman has been an AMAZING experience! We have seen strong growth in our son’s abilities, confidence and attitude. I highly recommend GLKN to anyone regardless of your experience level.

Amazing place! The I love that it's accessible to older folks too. The first school I took a class at just smashed me for 2 hours, I came away saying "well, I guess I'm too old to do Jiu-Jitsu". I started at Gracie Lake Norman and here I am 2.5 years, hundreds of hours of training, and 2 tournament matches later, decidedly not too old to do it!

Can’t say enough good things about everyone at GLKN - owners, instructors and fellow students. There is such a great balance of nurturing, encouraging and stretching the knowledge and capabilities of all in the Academy (new and experienced). And, it’s a heck of a workout for mind and body. Highly recommend this spot, regardless of your age - and that is coming from an OG just starting out with Jui Jitsu.

Really enjoy going to Gracie Lake Norman. It's a great training environment and great philosophy going on there. You learn a lot. The coaches are great love. The experience and I love the place.

This place is amazing I've learned so much here. Come check it out.

Our son Greyson has transformed in BJJ and at home. He’s been at Gracie Lake Norman for just over 2 months and the growth in him is amazing to witness. We are so grateful. Mr. Ranard and Leigh Ann truly care and it doesn’t go unnoticed. We appreciate the high standards that are expected of students in BJJ and at home. The focus is on the whole individual. Our family finds inspiration in each class and we are blessed to be part of Gracie LKN.

Exceptional Gracie JJ school and drop-in experience! While visiting family in the area, I visited Gracie LKN and took part in a fun and challenging class. The instructors here are certainly BJJ experts—something I expected, based on the credentials of their lead instructor, Ranard Brown. But what surprised and impressed me just as much was how welcoming, mindful, and safety-conscious the teaching is at this academy. This approach has clearly influenced the positivity of the students here. Randard is not just an accomplished competitor and coach, but also an inspiring and down-to-earth leader who is both invested in students of all ages and driven to grow his part of the larger BJJ community. The space itself is also beautiful, roomy, and very clean. So for anyone living in the area who is looking to start BJJ or continue their practice—or simply for BJJers looking for a solid drop-in option—Gracie LKN is a top-tier school to check out.

Great school, great instruction. I had such a blast doing a drop in class yesterday coming from out of state. The staff and students were super welcoming, and I have a lot of new knowledge to take home. I will be back every time I am in the area!

Our daughter is a young college student who attended classes for “self-defense” this summer. She has had a great time, learned a lot, and is better for having attended classes with GLKN. It is a warm and friendly place with a lot of activity and smiles everywhere. More than just teaching BJJ, Renard and all the folks covered lessons about attitude, mindfulness, awareness, and more. The other students were just as great, sharing experiences and being the best training partners they can be. We will see if she has the time to come back next summer. As a family, we deeply appreciate the GLKN staff and students having welcomed, accepted, and instructed our daughter. We will all forever be fans of GLKN and couldn’t recommend it more.

We enrolled our daughter (8) after completing the 1 week trial, and now 4 months later- the growth we have seen in her is unbelievable. Ranard and Leigh Ann have created a family environment, and share the values that are important to us for people of influence and leadership/coaching in our daughter’s life. I’ve also joined the ladies class, which has been so fun to learn something new and challenging and create friendships, while also providing an opportunity for another bond with my daughter over our new sport. Highly recommend!

I love training here, Both coach Ranard and Ryan are great! I just moved here and was worried I wouldn’t find a new spot to train that I felt comfortable at with knowledgeable coaches. But thankfully I have found my new training home here in Nc. They genuinely care about your experience and make you feel apart of the community while supplying you with jiu-jitsu gems of knowledge. Thanks yall!

Deleted my old review so I can leave an updated one. 🙂 I’ve been at this school for about 3 years now! I’ve been inconsistent with training but have to say this is the BEST thing I’ve ever done for my confidence and mental health. There’s a lot of jiu jitsu schools out there but this is one is about community, and person growth in all areas of life. I’ve had nothing but great experiences and every one is so supportive. If you want a place to train, have amazing coaches and be surrounded by good vibes this is the place for you! 🫶

I’ve been training Jiu Jitsu for almost 4 years, and have trained at multiple schools in that time, either long-term or dropping in while traveling. Gracie Lake Norman is BY FAR THE BEST gym I’ve ever trained at. The coaches are top notch, caring, fun and super encouraging. The team is a family atmosphere, with everyone pushing each other to be better, while at the same time, making sure everyone is always safe on the mats. The coaches also get world class talent to come and do seminars/workshops for our gym. Whether you are an adult, senior, a child or a beginner of any age, GLKN is the place to be!

My son has been attending Gracie Lake Norman Jujitsu for the past four years. From the beginning our experience has been absolutely amazing. My son Ricky was very quiet and didn’t know how to engage others very well. Ranard Brown and his wife LeeAnn along with their two sons managed to do what we had problems doing. Ranard is known for creating Jujitsu champions not just on the mat but in life, and thats exactly what this family has done for my son. Ricky has won more than eight gold medal championship's in competition. My son went being below average to a leader who engages others and is eager to make friends. Ricky’s confidence has gone through the roof. His grades went from C to A. He knows he can do anything he puts his mind too. This is the mind set Ranard has created for these kids. If you’re interested in changing your child’s life for the best this is where you need to be. All the kids that attend work as a team and they learn from each other. This is a place like no other, don’t take it from me sit in and watch a class and you’ll be amazed. It’s the best thing I ever did for my son. He’s made the best friends he could ever have. ( Real Friends ). The camaraderie here is incredible. My wife and I belong to a group of families that are so special because we all want the same for our kids, only the best. Ranard and his family delivers. This is a place we’re friends become family.

This place has truly made me a better human. Nothing but love, hard work, good vibes, and family. If you are thinking about starting BJJ, this is the place to do it!

An amazing place to train BJJ at! The staff is very welcoming and eager to help anyone at any skill level. The instructors are all very skilled competitors, that do an excellent job at translating drills to practical skills. Very good atmosphere and a great privilege to be able to train here.

Hands down the best gym we have ever been to. The Jiu Jitsu is top notch but the atmosphere and life lessons (especially for the kids classes) are great. You feel welcome from day one and every day after. Highly recommended.

This is a great jujitsu gym to train at in the Lake-Norman area, Gracie Lake Norman is both beginner/advanced friendly. Ranard (the head instructor) is a great, down to earth guy who takes the necessary time to help you grow. You will be treated like family here, no doubt. 👊🏼🤙🏼

Registering our son in Gracie Lake Norman is one of our best decisions. Not only do they provide high-quality training with an emphasis on technique and safety, but our son is already exhibiting new leadership skills, confidence, and tenacity. Gracie Lake Norman is the perfect choice if you're considering an activity that fosters discipline, excellence, and sportsmanship.

My son came to GLKN after years of competitive gymnastics. He was looking for a change and a place where he could leverage at least “some” of his previous athletics training. To say we have been blown away by how our expectations have been exceeded would be an understatement. Yes, GLKN means you’re getting the absolute best BJJ training but it is so much more than that. My son has (and continues) to learn life skills that will benefit him for his entire life. Ranard OBVIOUSLY cares deeply for the kids and teens he trains. Not only their martial art skills but also teaching them to be good people (and isn’t that what really matters). I, in no way expect a coach to “raise” my kid (that’s my job) but knowing GLKN actively promotes responsibility, respect, hard work and love into their programs sure makes for one heck of a “team mate” for parents. I would highly recommend GLKN for anyone looking for world class BJJ training…but especially for parents and kids looking to begin a lifelong journey of being a SOLID human being (and being able to defend yourself or others is certainly a perk).

The people and the environment at GLKN are unlike anything I have seen elsewhere. The detailed instruction and effective coaching from Ranard and Ryan, as well as from other students ensure that you will improve at BJJ. The nature of what we do will also undoubtably improve your physical fitness and bodily awareness. At the same time the encouraging, growth oriented environment pushes you to grow as a human being. Whether you’re a current competitor, looking to become a competitor, a hobbyist, or someone looking to try out something new, I would highly recommend that you come and level up with us. You won’t regret it.

Gracie Jujitsu has improved my son’s confidence. He’s been with Gracie for almost 3 years and the first 6 months was tough but he stuck it out. Renard is a wonderful instructor and really takes the time to work with his students and is a great role model to learn the craft.

We have two kids, Daughter 10 and Son 12, and have been consistent members of GLKN for 6 years. The Gracie name attracted us but it was Ranard and Leigh Ann that kept us coming back. Leigh Ann has is gracious, accommodating and makes doing business easy. Always helpful with all things Gi's and gear, payment processing, etc. Ranard's unique yet straight forward approach with the youth is a blessing. While the Browns deliver top tier JiuJitsu training they're really imparting leadership through mentoring so your children are being developed to be well rounded adults capable of handling all sorts of life's challenges. We see GLKN as a book end to our family's values and are forever grateful for the value they add to our children's lives. You will not find this level of service, care, and top tier training combination anywhere else!