Calvert MMA Academy
Pricing
Calvert MMA® - Pricing & Getting Started
Start with New Student Foundations
Beginning something new can feel intimidating. At Calvert MMA Academy®, we make the first step simple.
Our New Student Foundations program is designed specifically for beginners who want to experience real Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and martial arts training before committing to membership.
Whether you are brand new to martial arts or returning after time away, this introductory program allows you to experience real classes, real coaching, and the culture of our academy before enrolling.
New Student Foundations — $49
First-time students only
Your introduction to training at Calvert MMA Academy®, part of the direct Gracie family lineage through Grandmaster Relson Gracie.
The New Student Foundations program allows beginners to experience our academy, instructors, and training environment in a structured and welcoming way before making a membership decision.
Your New Student Foundations Includes
• 4 Training Sessions – beginner-friendly classes designed specifically for new students
• 14 Days to Use Your Sessions
• Academy Orientation – meet our instructors and learn how classes work
• Facility Tour – see our professional training environment
• InBody Body Composition Scan – understand your starting point and track progress
• Digital Training Vault Access – temporary access to our member app with beginner techniques, etiquette guidance, grappling resources, and nutrition tools valued at over $300
No uniform is required for your introductory sessions. Simply wear athletic clothing.
Your four sessions must be used within 14 days.
If you decide to join, your $49 New Student Foundations fee is credited toward membership.
Membership Options
We offer simple training options designed to fit different schedules and training goals.
Individual Memberships
8 Classes Per Month — Great for building fundamentals
$179 per month
12 Classes Per Month — Deeper training, faster progress – Most Popular
$199 per month
Unlimited Training — Full immersion for serious growth
$229 per month
Month-to-month memberships are also available.
Transparent Pricing — No Hidden Fees
At Calvert MMA Academy®, we believe students should know exactly what they are paying for.
Unlike many martial arts schools, our pricing is straightforward and transparent.
Your membership covers your training. There are no hidden testing fees or required promotion fees to advance in rank.
When a student earns a belt promotion at our academy, it is awarded based on consistent training, technical development, and time on the mat — not by paying a testing fee.
Some martial arts schools charge mandatory testing or promotion fees that increase as students progress through the ranks. That is not how we operate.
Advancement at Calvert MMA Academy® is earned through hard work, discipline, and dedication.
Students training regularly will need appropriate training equipment.
This typically includes a Gi uniform for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes, No-Gi training gear, and protective equipment for striking classes.
These items are standard equipment used in martial arts training and are required for safety, professionalism, and proper participation in class.
Unlike some schools, these equipment requirements are not tied to belt promotions or testing fees, and students are free to purchase approved gear through the academy or from other reputable martial arts suppliers.
Our goal is simple: provide exceptional instruction with clear and transparent pricing.
Family Memberships
Family Training Advantage
Families training together is one of the most rewarding parts of martial arts. Many parents choose to train alongside their children, building confidence, discipline, and shared goals together.
Calvert MMA Academy® offers a Family Training Advantage, allowing multiple members of the same household to train while receiving reduced tuition for additional family members.
The program is structured so that each additional family member receives a greater tuition reduction, helping make family training more accessible while maintaining the high standards of instruction our academy is known for.
Family savings increase with each additional student and are capped to ensure every member continues to receive the same high-quality instruction and training experience.
Ask about the Family Training Advantage when you visit the academy.
Hometown Heroes Program
We proudly support those who serve our communities.
Active members of the following professions may qualify for our Hometown Heroes Program, which allows eligible participants to train month-to-month while receiving the lower pricing normally reserved for annual membership agreements.
This provides the flexibility of a month-to-month membership without the higher month-to-month rate.
Eligible professions include:
• Military
• Law Enforcement
• Firefighters and EMS
• Teachers
• Nurses and Doctors
Because of the demanding and unpredictable schedules associated with law enforcement—including shift work, overtime, court appearances, holidays, and weekend duty—active law enforcement officers may receive additional consideration within this program.
Please ask about eligibility when you visit the academy.
Visiting the Area?
If you are traveling to Southern Maryland or training with another academy, we welcome visitors to train with us.
Because we maintain many friendships with other teams and instructors, visiting students should contact us before registering online so we can help arrange the best option for their stay.
We offer:
• Day passes
• Short-term training options
• Courtesy training for affiliated teams when arranged in advance
Please call or text before signing up so we can coordinate your visit properly.
Why Students Choose Calvert MMA Academy®
Calvert MMA Academy® is more than a gym. It is a professional martial arts academy built on respect, discipline, and real-world self-defense.
Students train under instruction rooted in the direct Gracie family lineage through Grandmaster Relson Gracie.
Instruction is led by Professor Jim Thrift, a 5th-degree black belt under Relson Gracie, with more than four decades of martial arts experience.
Our academy maintains one of the highest cleanliness standards in the region using all-natural, family-safe sanitation systems designed to protect students and families.
Whether your goal is:
• self-defense
• fitness
• competition
• confidence
• personal growth
Calvert MMA Academy® provides the instruction, structure, and community to help you succeed.
Ready to Begin?
The best way to experience Calvert MMA Academy® is to step onto the mats.
Start with New Student Foundations and see why so many families across Southern Maryland choose Calvert MMA Academy® for their martial arts training.
Reserve your spot today.
Unlock Your Full Potential at Calvert MMA Academy®
At Calvert MMA Academy®, our mission is simple: help every student become stronger, more confident, and more capable—both on and off the mats.
Our programs are designed for beginners, experienced practitioners, families, and professionals who want authentic martial arts training in a structured and supportive environment.
Calvert MMA Academy® is led by Professor Jim Thrift, a 5th-degree black belt under Grandmaster Relson Gracie, with more than four decades of martial arts experience. As a retired United States Secret Service professional, Professor Thrift brings a unique perspective to training that emphasizes discipline, professionalism, and real-world self-defense.
Why Students Choose Calvert MMA Academy®
Flexible Membership Options
Every student’s schedule and goals are different. Our memberships are designed to support consistency while remaining flexible for real life.
• Month-to-Month Memberships for maximum flexibility
• Annual Memberships for students who want to commit and save
• Family Membership Plans that make training accessible for parents and children
• Service & Honor Programs for military, first responders, healthcare professionals, and educators
More Than Just Classes
Membership at Calvert MMA Academy® includes access to a complete training program.
Students benefit from:
• Training up to seven days per week across both academy locations
• Access to the LINEAGE® Digital Training Vault through our member app
• Monthly InBody™ body composition scans to track progress
• A private member community for support and communication
• Nutrition resources, recipes, and wellness guidance
Training doesn’t stop when class ends. Our goal is to provide students with the tools and structure needed for long-term progress.
Authentic Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Instruction
Our academy teaches Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu rooted in the direct Gracie family lineage through Grandmaster Relson Gracie.
Students learn practical self-defense, technical control, and intelligent problem-solving—skills designed to work in real-world situations, not just in ideal training environments.
Service & Honor Programs
We proudly support those who serve our communities.
Calvert MMA Academy® offers special programs for:
• Active-duty military
• Law enforcement
• Firefighters and EMS
• Teachers and educators
• Healthcare professionals
Active first responders are also invited to participate in our weekly first responder training program, offered as a way to give back to those who protect our communities.
A Professional, Family-Safe Training Environment
Calvert MMA Academy® maintains one of the highest cleanliness standards in the region.
Our facility uses all-natural, family-safe cleaning solutions and professional sanitation procedures to maintain a healthy training environment for students of all ages.
Cleanliness, supervision, and structured instruction are part of the program—not an afterthought.
Join Our Community
When you join Calvert MMA Academy®, you’re not just joining a gym—you’re becoming part of a community built on respect, discipline, and continuous improvement.
Students train together, support one another, and grow both on and off the mats.
Whether your goal is self-defense, fitness, personal development, or competition, our team is here to help you succeed.
