Gracie Barra – Carlisle

My entire family trains at Tiger Shark BJJ, and we couldn’t be happier! It’s truly a wonderfully supportive and judgment-free gym that welcomes everyone, no matter their age or experience level. The kids’ classes are fantastic — the coaches are knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely invested in helping every child learn and grow. What really sets Tiger Shark apart is the sense of community. It’s more than just a gym; it’s a family. Everyone encourages one another, celebrates progress, and helps each practitioner on their own BJJ journey. Whether you’re stepping onto the mats for the first time or refining advanced techniques, you’ll be supported every step of the way. We feel so lucky to have found such a positive and inspiring environment right here in Carlisle. Highly recommend!

Tigershark BJJ is the best Jiu Jitsu gym in Central PA. It’s run by Professor Marcelo Mattos who is an outstanding competitor and teacher. Whether it’s the adult class or the kids class it’s truly a family environment and the best BJJ gym around.

Professional and very welcoming gym with high level of instruction. One of the best programs, for both kids and adults, I have seen in my 17 years of training at various gyms due to frequent military moves. Can’t recommend Marcelo enough.

I just did an intro class here, I have been contemplating trying out BJJ for a couple of years. I'm a student of a different martial art, but Jiu-Jitsu is a whole different ball of wax. I came to observe a class recently at this school, and was very impressed. There's an excellent vibe here, competitive but friendly, all of the senior students and instructors are very helpful. Professor Mattos is very personable and good to his students. In other arts, I have been a student on and off for most of my life, and I can always tell when I see a good instructor. It's highly likely that I will start going here soon, the intro class was great. I worked with a very helpful student, and the whole experience was very positive. As with anything else, I suggest you shop around to find what is right for you, but don't be surprised if you end up back here. As an added bonus, the front desk dog Rio is great. I must remember to bring treats next time!

This BJJ academy has a terrific vibe! The community is welcoming, the training is intense, and the quality of instruction is top-notch. There’s a wide variety of classes offered, making it easy to find training opportunities that fit your schedule. Professor Mattos is not only an exceptional Jiu-Jitsu practitioner but also approachable, friendly, and an outstanding academy leader. Highly recommend!