Dragon Gym Main Line is not a strip-mall afterthought. It occupies the old Berwyn Primary School on Lancaster Avenue, above Berwyn Primary Shops — Em J’s Café and Settantatré Pasta downstairs, Handel’s ice cream down the street, Whole Foods in Devon a few minutes east. If you live in Berwyn, Paoli, Devon, Wayne, or you come off the Paoli/Thorndale Line, this is the BJJ room built for the Main Line calendar: evening classes, parent seating, and a community that reviews specifically mention as welcoming to women and beginners.
New Location: 800 Lancaster Ave, Lower Level, Berwyn, PA 19312. Same campus — the old primary school / Berwyn Primary Shops building.
Call the Berwyn desk at (610) 647-4753 or start Quick Start online.
Berwyn Location Instructors
Professor Thomas Palmer — 3rd Degree BJJ Black Belt; COO; Berwyn is his home base
His official bio is titled for Berwyn BJJ and lists the Main Line address. Students name him by name in Berwyn reviews.
Started at 16; trained 2 hours a day, 6 days a week in his late teens (up to 4.5 hours in summer). Black belt 2017. Gold medals in weight and open divisions. Shotokan, Muay Thai, MMA. WCU. Teaches kids and adults.
Professor Kevin L. Barr — 3rd Degree BJJ Black Belt, Head BJJ Instructor
Exton native. Bishop Shanahan High School. U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant (honorably discharged). West Chester University (BA Business Administration, BS Finance). Certified Financial Planner.
Kevin began training in 2002 under 5th Degree Alexandre Britto, competed to national rankings, and received his black belt in 2014 under Britto on the Alliance Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu team. After two decades in finance he brought that same structured, adult-friendly teaching style onto the Exton mats. He coaches across the DG network and is the professor most Exton beginners meet first.
David Braxton - BJJ Black Belt
Sandy Grulke - BJJ Black Belt
Greg Hammerstein - 5th Degree Black Belt
Programs Offered (Berwyn-specific)
- Adult BJJ four evenings and two mornings a week
- Kids BJJ Tue/Thu 6:30 p.m.
- Age-specific kids martial arts (TKD + BJJ + Muay Thai concepts)
- Adult TKD / self-defense
- Voted Best of the Main Line
- Membership includes the rest of the DG network (useful for Wayne residents who also want Exton’s Saturday open mat)
Berwyn’s differentiator is density of evening BJJ plus a Main Line community that reviews describe as inclusive for women.
DG BJJ Berwyn Schedule
Adult BJJ — Berwyn
| Day | Time |
|---|---|
| Monday | 6:00–7:15 p.m. |
| Tuesday | 6:00 - 7:00 a.m. |
| Tuesday | 7:15–8:45 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 6:00–7:15 p.m. |
| Thursday | 6:00 - 7:00 a.m. |
| Thursday | 7:15–8:45 p.m. |
Kids BJJ — Berwyn
Tuesday & Thursday 6:30 p.m.
Front desk: (610) 647-4753. Typical public hours around 11:00 a.m.–8:30 p.m. weekdays (confirm).
Member Testimonials
“Dragon Gym Mainline’s BJJ program in Berwyn, PA, offers top-tier instruction under Tom Palmer, who excels at teaching students of all levels in a way that is both engaging and easy to apply. The gym fosters a welcoming and inclusive community, making it a great place for both beginners and experienced practitioners, including women looking for a supportive training environment.”
— Maria Migliaccio
“Dragon Gym Berwyn excels with its clean environment, intense yet safe BJJ training, and detailed instruction, ideal for beginners and enthusiasts alike.”
— Justin Carreon
“Training in Taekwondo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Berwyn, PA builds confidence, discipline, and lasting personal growth.”
— Pary
Address & Directions
Dragon Gym Main Line (Berwyn)
800 Lancaster Ave, Lower Level
Berwyn, PA 19312
Phone: (610) 647-4753
Dragon Gym Berwyn / 800 Lancaster Ave, Berwyn, PA 19312
Google Maps
Minutes from Paoli, Devon, Wayne, Malvern, and King of Prussia.
Parking & Arrival Instructions
- Where: Lot for Berwyn Primary Shops / old primary school on Lancaster Avenue (Route 30). Park in the center lot; the studio is in the school building above the shops, lower-level entrance as listed. Use either Walnut or Central Ave.
- Landmarks: Em J’s Café, Settantatré Pasta & Provisions in the center; Handel’s down the street; Whole Foods Devon a short drive east.
- Arrival: Enter the studio and check in at the front desk. Changing rooms, bathrooms, and showers on site. Seating inside and outside for parents.
- Main Line reality: Evening Lancaster Avenue traffic is real. Build 10 extra minutes from Wayne or KOP at 5:30–6:30 p.m. Monday class at 6:00 p.m. is the tightest commute.
- Transit: Paoli/Thorndale Line — Berwyn and Paoli stations are the relevant stops.
Nearby Neighborhoods Served
Berwyn · Paoli · Devon · Wayne · Strafford · Daylesford · Tredyffrin · Easttown · Newtown Square (west) · King of Prussia (evening drive) · Greater Main Line
Google Business Profile
Dragon Gym Mainline / Dragon Gym Berwyn — 800 Lancaster Ave, Berwyn, PA 19312
Open in Google Maps / GBP
Location-Specific FAQs
Is this the same as “Dragon Gym Main Line”?
Yes. Berwyn = Main Line academy.
Why do I see 800 and 812 Lancaster Ave?
Official footers use 800 Lancaster Ave, Lower Level. Some internal pages use 812. Same old Berwyn Primary School building. If Maps is picky, search the business name plus Berwyn.
Is Berwyn good for women new to BJJ?
Reviews call out Tom Palmer’s teaching and an inclusive room. Exton also runs a Sunday women-only class if you want that format.
Kids BJJ time?
Tue/Thu 6:30 p.m. — earlier than the late adult class, so a parent can watch kids then train the 7:15 p.m. session on those nights.
Can I park and grab food?
Yes. Em J’s and Settantatré are in the center; Handel’s is down the street.