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Balance Studios HQ: Gracie Jiu-Jitsu & Muay Thai
4.9 ★★★★★ 81 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Affiliated academy — reviews and the gym's own info point to a recognized BJJ lineage or affiliation (think Gracie Barra, 10th Planet, Renzo Gracie, Alliance, Atos or Checkmat). If lineage matters to you, ask which affiliation the academy belongs to and under whom the head instructor earned their black belt.
Plan your first class
- Free trial or intro class most gyms welcome new members with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
- Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
- Kids & youth classes kids and youth BJJ classes — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule balancestudios.net — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 215-988-9347
Hours
| Monday | 7 am–9 pm |
| Tuesday | 7 am–9 pm |
| Wednesday | 7 am–9 pm |
| Thursday | 7 am–9 pm |
| Friday | 7 am–9 pm |
| Saturday | 7 am–9 pm |
| Sunday | 7 am–9 pm |
The classes they run
“All locations have amazing kids classes with safety as a priority while teaching applicable and age appropriate self defense.”
“If you're interested in competing, the competition training will get you where you need to be and then some.”
“If you're interested in learning self-defense, the balance curriculum keeps true to the core principles of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and focuses on real, proven self defense.”
“I quickly fell in love with training even as a beginner.”
Other martial arts here
“My jiu jitsu has improved immensely, and the optimal class timing means i get to train BJJ and Muay Thai.”
What members say
“Great Place to get some quality Brazilian Jiujitsu Training, Phil and Rick are great instructors, and the level of athlete in the gym is very high.”
“The instructors are all top notch, the training is world class and, most importantly, you'll never meet a more welcoming and inviting group of straight up killers.”
“From the passionate and dedicated instructors, the endless amount of talented training partners, and the family like atmosphere is what sets Balance Studios apart from the rest.”
“First of all, as far as lineage goes - it is as legit as it gets, literally first hand Helio students.”
“Phil and Ricky are always there to help and the experience has always been an experience worth the time.”
“If you're interested in learning self-defense, the balance curriculum keeps true to the core principles of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and focuses on real, proven self defense.”
From the reviews
I started training jiujitsu about 3 years ago and I happen to google best places at the time and came to Balance Studios. I quickly fell in love with training even as a beginner.
True Gracie Jiu Jitsu. Best in Philly. I love it. Great group of people and great instructors. Lineage is important to me and I am glad that I can continue my Gracie lineage through Rick and Phil. True OGs in the BJJ scene for 30 years now
I trained at the Center City location for a few years. Would even ride my bike n the freezing cold so I consider myself extremely lucky they opened a gym in Fishtown.
I drive 45 mins up and back to get to Balance 4x a week. There are plenty of other Jiu-Jitsu schools minutes from my home, but none of them match the quality, environment, and high level of the teaching that Balance Studios provides. Phil and Rick Migliarese are hands down the best in the business. I highly recommend.
New to BJJ? Start at Balance Studios HQ: Gracie Jiu-Jitsu & Muay Thai
Balance Studios HQ: Gracie Jiu-Jitsu & Muay Thai comes up as a beginner-friendly gym — noted on their own site. If you've never rolled or set foot on a mat, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or flexible to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and coaches scale the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard rolling — reputable gyms build fundamentals (positions, escapes, and basic submissions) for weeks, live rolling eases in gradually, and tapping early keeps every roll safe. Third, all levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or fundamentals class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out, and leave your ego at the door. Most gyms are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.
Your first BJJ class at Balance Studios HQ: Gracie Jiu-Jitsu & Muay Thai
Nervous about walking into a BJJ gym for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good coaches expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling basic positions and escapes with a partner — not hard sparring. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: athletic wear you can move in (or a gi if you have one); you'll train barefoot on the mats. What to bring: water and a mouthguard if you have one — many gyms lend a loaner gi for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gi (or a rashguard and shorts for no-gi) and a mouthguard. Live rolling eases in gradually, once your fundamentals are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the coach. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.
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🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site