I’ve been coming to this gym since June, it is a very safe and welcoming environment for anyone (I’m of the female persuasion). It really feels like family here. So great overall climate. As far as the classes I recommend taking notes because you’ll get a lot of great info every class and it might be hard to memorize it all. The classes are usually about an hour (demonstrations accompanied with drilling) and then there will be time after to freestyle roll with each other at your own discretion. The owner Ken and the other teachers are very careful about the safety of everyone here, especially the safety of the new students, and they always make sure everyone is working technique effectively but with care to avoid possible injury. They offer many classes to work with just about any schedule too so that’s a big plus.

I cannot recommend BJJ Swamp Academy enough, and thank it for bringing a whole new source of happiness to my life. I have definitely changed as a BJJ student and as a person. The instructor, Ken, is extremely talented and honestly a great teacher, but he is also genuinely a good person that always is there to give you a fist bump. I have only been training at the gym for four months, but everyone in my life has told me that they havent seen me this happy or excited about something. From the woman perspective, it is an incredibly safe space. Not that there are problems, but I know that if there was, I am comfortable enough to bring it to Kens attention, and I know it will be handled properly. Although Ken is incredible, hes not the only one. There are other instructors that are also fantastic and the curriculum is the same, so there really isnt any confusion. If I could give this place a sixth star, I would.

Whether you are looing to train hardcore, or just flow roll and chill, Swamp is the place to be. Solid technique. Beginner-friendly. Several higher belts to train with. Welcoming environment. Lots of competition wins. Wide variety of body types, training backgrounds, and humble attitudes to learn from each other. Frequent classes to fit your into any schedule. Female-friendly. Very reasonable monthly price.

Ive tried many other academies in town and this is the only place where I really felt at home. Ken is an incredible instructor who clearly cares about his students. He is accommodating to any skill level. The other students there are also very welcoming. As a woman, I highly recommend this place for other women who are interested in learning some martial arts.

Started coming a year ago now and I Flipping love this place. I needed to replace the competitive side of high school sports for me and BJJ has been the solution. Ken (the owner/coach) is the nicest guy but holds a respect from his students that I really admire. The majority of the people here come to blow off steam from their day to day lives and its dang cool to be a part of. And if youre looking for to be the best of the best in Florida, youve found the right place.

Ken has chosen to invest in me and my family far beyond my greatest expectations. This gentleman has quite literally changed my life. I challenge you to find a more fulfilling atmosphere than here at the swamp!!! Amazing people who train hard and treat each other with the greatest respect!!! Thank you for your leadership Mr Ken.

I was referred by a friend to come check out this gym about a year ago and am glad I did. I have thoroughly enjoyed learning under Ken. Ken looks out for newcomers and develops all his students to be a better version of themselves both mentally and physically. The students are just as welcoming and gladly will teach the move they just submitted you in and give pointers as well. My biggest regret before starting is driving past the the gym and saying to myself “ I’ll check it out.” Don’t hesitate to join! You’ll wish you started earlier. Warning. BJJ is kinda addicting. Get after it.

By far the best martial arts school in Gainesville! They have an incredible bjj program and a growing kickboxing program. What makes this place better than the rest is the amazing head coach and owner Ken! He truly cares about everybody that walks through those doors! He’s fostered a community of great athletes and good hearted people. Take this from someone that has trained at a variety of other schools in town, BJJ Swamp Academy is the place to be!

On and off, I trained for about three years at this academy. By far, its the best place Ive ever trained. Besides being an extremely welcoming and fun atmosphere, Ken is an extremely skilled instructor and the best Jiu Jitsu in Gainesville is practiced here.Besides being a great coach, Ken will also become your friend and always help you out. The people are great, training is great, and I cant wait to visit again. If youre new to BJJ or been practicing for a few years, I fully recommend trying this spot out.

BJJ Swamp Academy is a great place to train. As someone who started the sport later in life, I was concerned about safety and injury.The school has something to offer everyone—from the older, more casual student to the younger or intense practitioners. Professor Ken is an outstanding teacher and students of all levels can benefit from his instruction.

I have been training at Swamp Academy for a year and have never practiced a martial art that has had such a positive supportive atmosphere between the students and its instructor. From day one, I have never felt singled out or uncomfortable. Everyone at the academy is very inclusive and is willing to go out of their way to introduce themselves, help, and keep everyone safe throughout training. Because of this atmosphere I recently started bring my 14 year old daughter. She absolutely loves it and everyone is willing to train and work with her and treats her with respect as they would with anyone else who trains.Professor Ken has his lineage laid out on his website and has his black belt certificate displayed along with his numerous metals around the academy so there is no doubt that he has put in his time in. In addition to this, his instruction is staggered for beginners and advanced students who may be in the same class which further builds and displays the inclusiveness from the instructor down. Professor Ken treats everyone with respect and is humble and is willing to have life conversations with you if that is your thing.There is so much much more that I can say about this academy. I see my self staying with Professor Ken as long as I am in Gainesville which I plan to be a very very long time. I can not recommend enough coming to train at BJJ Swamp Academy. It will teach you more than just a martial art.

Great instructions and great rolls. The people here help you grow and leave their ego at the door. Training here really helped me develop my game.

Ken has been so helpful and welcoming! I have never done anything with Brazilian jiu jitsu, but Ken has been very kind and guiding, and I really love the classes.I highly recommend this to all my friends, especially women who want to feel a little safer at night. Not to mention how fun they are!

Went there for the first time and the teacher was extremely helpful and welcoming! Thank you!

This place is awesome and super friendly. Very family oriented and the instructors are super knowledgeable and will pour so much into you. I thoroughly enjoy going here every single day. Very safe for women and children as well.

Was in town for the hurricane evacuationfrom Panama City Beach. Ken and his team are amazing. Comfortable atmosphere, very cool students.Kens break down of techniques are very good and easy to understand.Ill be back soon. Thanks Swamp Team!

Theres a reason for all the 5 star reviews. Ill never forget the valuable lessons I learned training under Ken. 5 STARS ALL AROUND. Super friendly environment too.

An ideal environment to foster knowledge, skill, friendship, and the warrior spirit. Ken is not only extremely knowledgeable in his craft but is also an individualizing coach who can make a class of 20 feel like a class of 5. Easy going and relaxed but also conforming to your personal needs and desires for the sport. I would recommend this gym to anyone trying to become a better version of themselves.

If you want to start JiuJitsu do it. However, you must accept that in some schools all you will get out of it is that- JiuJitsu. Swamp Academy is by far the best school I have stumbled upon because not only is the training technical, challenging, and fun, but because it offers so much more than the martial art that many have made the centerpiece of their lives (and for good reason). The culture of Swamp is by far the most friendly and welcoming I have been to, while maintaining its roots in what combat is all about. This culture stems from the top in its owner and head instructor, Ken. Ken is a wizard in all things combat and he imparts his knowledge by not only being an instructor, but a coach. An instructor will show you a technique and let you run with it, while a coach will give you the tools you need and push you farther than you will push yourself to achieve your goals. He has tailor made all of his students JiuJitsu game by taking into account each of their personalities, abilities, and goals. Ken is not only a great coach, but an interesting and powerful man. I encourage anyone who steps into his school to engage him in a conversation, pick his brain, and share a few good laughs with him, you will not exit that conversation with anything but good feelings. I cannot recommend the melting pot of violence, fun, hard work, and authentic people that resides in Swamp Academy enough.

Dropped into this excellent school. Ken and his students were more than welcoming. I love that they push one another but are very supportive. I never felt I had anything to prove, only be willing to learn. They have a great community and I will definitely join their classes again when I come home for the holidays. Thanks for letting me join!

Im usually not one to write a review, but I would feel selfish if i didnt. To be blunt BJJ Swamp Academy is why I still live in North Central Florida. (As a nurse i can work literally anywhere) Kenneth Panagiotakos is a master of his craft and is by far the best instructor Ive had in my BJJ experiences. His style of teaching is what separates him from other instructors. From his methodical breakdown of all techniques/strategies to there are no dumb questions attitude keeps all students engaged and encourages commitment. But This alone isnt why im writing this review... Ken has established a culture for his members. The sense of community is very strong and very positive. This isnt some meat-head gym full of egos. This is a family/community that goes beyond just our training sessions. Ken orchestrates activities and events for his members that only strengthens the bond we establish in the gym. I have traveled as a nurse and have been to various gyms along the way; while many of those gyms are the same... BJJ Swamp Academy stands alone at the top.

Old school, detail oriented approach to BJJ that is very safe and welcoming - which creates a great learning environment. Highly recommended for all ages and skill levels! Ken is an exceptional teacher and leader. THIS is the place to train in Gainesville!

I have been here for a little while now and I would definitely like to say its become a second home to me. The instructor, Ken, takes his time explaining techniques to everyone and tries his best to make sure its easily understood and repeatable.Everyone in the gym is ready to go hard when grappling, but are also able and willing to go light if need be. Even the other higher belts are more than willing to help teach/answer questions.As a woman in a sport that seems to have a lot of men, I am really glad of the other females in the gym, but also I am glad I can beat up some of the guys on occasion too. ^^ Size doesnt matter when you utilize your body type to its advantages, and there are so many different body types that Ken even teaches knowing everyone cant do everything.The environment is incredibly positive here, with everyone supporting your journey no matter what has happened or who you are. We have doctors, nurses, scientists, students, artists (and more) that train here regularly.I am grateful for the ability to practice skills in a safe environment as well as the ability to test them out at competitions. This is the only school in town that competes regularly, but we dont act like a competitive school since a lot of the people here are hobbyists as well.

Totally recommend this gym to train! The head instructor Ken is really attentive to each individual there whether you’re experienced or just beginning. He truly cares about your growth in the sport and as a person. This is the gym to go to if you want more than just a gym but family!

I trained at Swamp academy for 9 months approximately and, this gym is great! In this review my intention is to address the main concerns/ questions a new BJJ practitioner might have:Cleanliness: This gym is very clean. I personally saw the owner sanitizing the floors every day.Coaching: Ken is very helpful and he will push you to get better. Specifically, I saw my body changing and my athletic ability improving significantly. The head coach Ken was always there for me to guide and motivate me.Safety: This gym is very safe because, Ken emphasizes on safety a lot when practicing the BJJ techniques.Competition: If you want to compete Swamp Academy is great because, many members attend competitions regularly. And, if you decide that you do not want to compete, you will still be treated the same.Other Members: Everyone is very friendly and willing to help a new member in this gym. Most people working out there are local business professionals and college students. Which makes it a great place to make lots of friends too.The owner: Ken is very family oriented and he treats everyone like family. He takes a lot of pride on what he does and the quality of the gym he created.I highly recommend Swamp Academy GO TRAIN!!!

Coming as a complete beginner, I felt immediately welcome. The atmosphere is very friendly and people are supportive. The instructor is both attentive, as well as inspiring with his energy, know how and sense of humour. Definitely recommend!

Friendly family like atmosphere! The instructor is very knowledgeable. If you want to try a new adventure in martial arts, Swamp Academy is the place for you. Ready! Lets go!!!

Great instructor. Hes really invested in teaching you and answering questions. If you ever pull a muscle, he has ice packs and doesnt hesitate offering a massage to work the cramp out of a muscle. The instructor Ken has about 15 years experience and if you put the hard work in, youre going to progress in your ground fighting ability and get in great physical shape in the process.

Super fun classes with friendly people and detailed instruction from Ken. I came for the exercise and self defense, but was surprised at the social atmosphere where it didn’t feel like just another jiu jitsu gym.

When I started bjj two years ago I didn’t know what to expect but the moment I walked into Swamp Academy I knew I found the right place. Ken’s an amazing coach who not only pushes you to be a better athlete but also a better person. He’s managed to create a great environment to learn. His hard work truly shows in every student there. Everyone is welcoming and willing to help. I would definitely recommend Swamp Academy to anyone who is interested in trying this sport either as a hobbyist or as a competitor.

Great people and a friendly atmosphere.

Kenny has an amazing way of connecting with people. Not only is he a great instructor, he is a great competitor, a great person, a great friend and a great role model. I have been training here for a while now and even though i have had to take time off to take care of life events, I am always welcome back with the same warmth and excitement. That feeling of family comes from the top. SWAMP is #1

The gym has a great vibe. Everyone is super helpful especially the higher belts. If I wasn’t moving I would stay here forever.. best experience hands down

I’ve been training here for about 4 weeks now it has been a great experience Ken seems very concerned about the gym and making it a community of people interested in BJJ. Not only does he bring people together in the gym but, he is concerned with our growth as a group of friends. Great experience so farThanks!

I just started here a few weeks ago. But let me tell you how unique of an atmosphere it is! Ken is such a humble and welcoming instructor that it really is impossible to feel overwhelmed or intimidated by training here. Ken and so many of the people here really do feel like a family. Im really excited to get started.

Great atmosphere, and even better people to train with! The head instructor Ken is great and is always ready to help even if your new, he’s built a great community within the academy. So happy I’ve joined.

As an on and off visitor, this place has been great at opening it’s doors. Instructor is nice and is aware of his students. The space itself is magnificent, great facilities, and the general vibe is friendly and relaxed.

Disclaimer: I’m not giving an awesome review of this amazing gym just to be entered into a drawing. I’m writing it because I feel strongly for how great this gym is.I’ve been at this gym on and off for several months, and in the little amount of time I have spent there, I have gained a tremendous amount of confidence. It’s sort of this wonderful package deal because you can become more physically fit, learn how to protect yourself, and basically be treated like family. Not only do you gain experience fighting, but you gain some incredible friendships.As a woman (and as a feminist) I can vouch for how safe I feel at this gym, which is by the way (in my opinion) the best gym in Gainesville.Great atmosphere, and a great instructor which helps you grow and play to your strengths. He may not show it, but he pays attention to every one of his students, and makes his best attempt to help his students become better fighters.

Great place to get your training going. A lot of high skilled people and competitive mindset while keeping it fun. I’ve been here for 4-5 years and I have learned a lot. 5 stars.

Awesome place! I came in with very little BJJ experience, but Ken and his students were incredibly welcoming. He made sure I was safely learning, while still being challenged. I would highly recommended this academy to anyone in the area.

I had an awesome experience. Ken and the whole crew were very welcoming and spent extra time getting us up to speed. I highly recommend checking it out.

I dropped in while I was traveling and everyone was very welcoming and ready to roll at a high level. The instructor, Kenneth, was friendly and did a great job of making sure it felt like my home gym. Great place to roll and learn!

Great gym with killers. Ken was very kind and his gym has a very meditative atmosphere. His students are high skilled and can give you tough rolls. 10/10

Went here for my first experience with BJJ and it was a great environment and would highly recommend for others who want to start or try it out

Honestly, this place is amazing. Everyone is super nice and welcoming. Be ready to work cause youre gonna get a great sweat! Come and join the family ! You wont regret it ! :)

9 months ago, I stepped onto the mats at BJJ Swamp Academy with ZERO martial arts, wrestling, or grappling experience. Today, I am looking ahead to competing in my first tournament. To say it was easy to get to this point would be a lie. Even after the first few months, I debated if this sport was for me. I would not have stuck around had it not been for Ken and this gym.Ken is an intuitive instructor that picks up on his students’ individual learning styles and needs. He manages to keep classes at a constant pace while simultaneously spending one-on-one time with individuals that could use an extra tip or guidance on the side. Ken is just as good at figuring out your areas of need as he is at pointing out your strengths and helping you capitalize on them. He creates a welcoming environment that encourages questions and he will push you as far as you want to be pushed, because he understands that everyone’s personal goals are unique.Great coaching leads to a great gym. As much as Jiu-jitsu seems like a solo sport, you simply cannot grow without your training partners. Your gym becomes your team, and your training partners double as your competition and your teammates. Somehow, everyone at Swamp Academy is simultaneously really nice AND absolute killers on the mats. While there is a ranking system like every other gym, upper belts do not have superior attitudes and do a great job working with us newbies and our endless questions. There is so much respect among members and it translates to an environment that you can feel comfortable in, even though you are most likely being put in physically uncomfortable positions.And that about sums up Jiu-Jitsu: It is uncomfortable. There is sweat, body hair, and even some body odor. You are put in uncomfortable positions and if you don’t have the skill or the speed just yet, sometimes you just have to use pure grit to get out of them. Pushing myself out of my comfort zone, dealing with adversity on the mats, and learning to use my body to my advantage has been incredibly empowering. So if you’re looking to challenge yourself like never before, this is the gym for you. The benefits are immeasurable.

I’m a fairly serious Jiu Jitsu/ MMA fighter from California, but travel to Gainesville quite often. Just recently a friend took me to train at BJJ Swamp academy, and I had a really awesome experience! The head coach Ken comes from a lineage of Jiu Jitsu legends, and it was obvious from my visit that he offers very high level instruction. I’m super pumped to come back and train at this Academy! OSS!

Great place to train everyday. Were all part of the family and usually we even have cool events on the weekends to get to know one another after a solid week of training. Good vibes here!

Ken’s BJJ school is very welcoming. His passion for the sport shows through in his teaching and his interest in every student that walks into his school. You def have to check this school out when passing through Gainesville you won’t be disappointed!

Had some really good rolls. Showed up to roll during the gyms anniversary and treated me as if I was one of their own. Awesome vibes and damn good rolls. Anytime I’m in Gainesville working I’ll be training at the swamp!

Thank you for welcoming us to your gym when we were in town! Great classes and awesome people. Definitely recommend this place!

From the first moment I walked through the door at Swamp, I was welcomed with warmth, kindness, and inspiration. Ive been able to train at a few gyms now, and this one not only is filled with so many skilled higher belts but feels like a family. From those who train when they can, to those who are there religiously, the treatment is the same across the board. You can train for self, or train for competition, there is no expectations that you have to compete, or get treated differently if you dont. Ken is a great instructor who is able to relate, pushes you hard, but knows your limits. There are many walks of life all coming together here, everyones personal life is left at the door, and its time for good fun training. Higher belts have no issue with giving advice and rolling appropriately with lower belts. I never fear being hurt due to someones ego here. The gym wouldnt tolerate jerks. There are also many group activities that everyone is welcomed to frequently outside of the gym. Ive become great friends with many, and look forward to coming to train. Its home away from home for me. I drive from cocoa, 2.5 hours away to come train. Always worth it!

This is the best BJJ gym Ive ever trained at, and lucky for me its in my hometown. The mats are always clean and the people are friendly. You will get in shape and learn practical self defense, and youll have fun doing it.

I trained at Kens place for a little over a year, and it was some of the most fun I had in Gainesville. Everyone there is friendly, welcoming and always willing to help you learn. This is one of the few places I plan to visit whenever return to town.

Great place to come learn and stay in shape. Make friends too..Safe place.❤😎

Training in BJJ Swamp Academy with Ken is a honor to me, Its been over a year and I can honestly say that he is one of the best coaches in town, and his students are the beasts on the mats and great friends outside. Come train today, You will enjoy it!

Great place to roll and train. Truly great vibes, tough rolls, and good people. The instructors are knowledgeable and know how to adapt to the needs of students with different goals. Whenever I am in Gainesville I always stop by and train. Best time to go if you already train is Saturday at 11am and noon. This gym loves nogi and is open to all submissions. If you are new I reccomend the fundamentals classes first yo get your feet wet.

Not a safe place for women to train. Lazy teaching style with repetitive lessions and little to no upward direction in the training. And dont be fooled, the majority of 5 star reviews are because if students leave a 5 star review they are entered into a drawing to win free stuff.

Super lax and inviting environment with top level teaching from a very nice, certified beast black belt coach, Ken.

Best BJJ school in the Gainesville area. If you want to have fun, meet new people (fun people), learn to defend yourself and get in shape at the same time, this is the place to go. I know, it sounds like an infomercial.. Just remember, very important, three important rules that must never be broken – do not expose the Ken to bright lights or sunlight which will kill him, do not let it get wet, and never feed it after midnight. lol..

Ken is awesome. Great teacher and coach. Patient and teaches to all sorts of different learners. :)

Great place to train & learn Brazilian Juijitsu if you live in Gainesville or traveling. Clean facility with awesome people to train with.

I’ve been fortunate to travel around and train at many different jiu jitsu gyms across the country, and I have to say that Ken and everyone at the Swamp Academy are top notch. Very laid back and welcoming atmosphere with quality training. Ken is an awesome black belt with excellent instruction and an all around great guy! I wouldn’t train anywhere else in Gainesville.

Great place to train for hobbyists or competition minded students. Head instructor Ken is very good at teaching all ranges of jiu jitsu and fitness. if you are interested at all in learning this sport, stop by for a free day and see what it is all about.

Great instructors, they make learning the techniques easy, because they break it down well. Friendly atmosphere, Ive met lots of cool people.

Excellent Instruction, caters to hobbies like myself and professional sponsored athletes. A positive life experience for me.

Been training at Kens place for a couple of months now and can honestly say its my favorite gym I have ever been to. If you want to be pushed to not only be better jiu-jitsu practitioner but individual, swamp academy is the place. If your looking to get in shape or start a new hobby well be ready because no one here leaves without abs🤣. We are a close net gym where our teammates come first. If youre in the mood to earn something every day with us is a new challenge and you also get to learn how to kick butt at the same time.Say Armando sent ya,

Amazing training for anyone looking to learn and improve their jiu jitsu game.

Amazing place to train! I love it! 🙌🏻🙌🏻

What I really appreciate about how Ken teaches is how nice and friendly he is. Not only do I always find him with a smile on his face, he’s really laid-back and stresses the importance of being yourself. What’s great is that he won’t try to mold you in to someone you’re not, but he’ll teach you Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in a way that stresses individualism, especially when it concerns body structure. I’d like to say that I’ve become good friends with Ken outside of the gym, as many students at the school have. I moved to Gainesville from California for college, away from my entire family. Ken treats me in a way that makes me feel like family to him, and I’d like to say that everyone at this school has become a new family for me. I highly recommend that you try out this school (for free!) and come meet everyone, for you might find that you love it!

Somewhat new to boxing, and came here to train for a fight that I had coming up, and they pushed me harder than I have ever been pushed before! Brand new to Jiu Jitsu but they were so welcoming and good at instructing me as a beginner, I cant wait to continue going and see improvement!

Best place to learn jiu jitsu. The instructor makes it a priority to maintain a casual and stress free atmosphere. He is also a very experienced grappler and still participates in competitions. This is definitely the academy to go to in Gainesville.

Hands down the best place to train in jiu jitsu in Gainesville!!!! I started with Ken almost 2 years ago and have lost 45lbs! This acdemy is like no other plus you get to meet/make family

When I first started training jiu-jitsu last year I was new to the Gainesville area and I didnt know a single person here. Ken was one of the very first people I met and became close friends with, and honestly thanks to him and his jiu-jitsu program I have now made long-lasting connections and friends all around the area. The BJJ Swamp Academy is a great place to train with some very motivated and fun-loving people who will also welcome you in like family. You come for the training but stay for the wonderful social aspect as well. Come check it out!

10/10 would get my ass kicked in the spirit of self-improvement again

Good guys!

Rolling on Fridays from 5-6:15 is definitely worthwhile!

Good people to be with. 😄😄😄