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Carlson Gracie Grand Rapids Bjj Jiu-jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 346 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Part of Carlson Gracie
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
- Private lessons private, one-on-one coaching available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
- Open mat open-mat rolling sessions for members to practice live — always optional and at your own pace
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule carlsongraciegrandrapids.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 616-307-5295
Hours
| Monday | 4–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 6–7:30 am, 10–11:30 am, 4–8:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 4–8 pm |
| Thursday | 6–8 am, 10–11:30 am, 4–9 pm |
| Friday | 10–11:30 am, 4:30–9 pm |
| Saturday | 9 am–12 pm |
| Sunday | 10 am–1:30 pm |
The classes they run
“Additionally the balance of conditioning, technique drilling, and rolling is pretty good, but can be a lot for a beginning without good fundamentals.”
“First and foremost, I love what a workout the youth classes are and that there are different lengths of class through the week.”
“Especially as a woman, I feel very safe and well looked-after here by the staff and members of the community.”
“My family and I were welcomed with open arms and they have been extremely accommodating with the free trial, gi rental, and one-on-one instruction.”
“Decided to pick up some form of self defense so I’ve started going to Carlson Gracie for a few weeks now.”
“Whether you have never put a pair of gloves on, beginner, intermediate, or even an amateur, you don’t go home without learning something new.”
Other martial arts here
“I have four kids (ages 5-11) enrolled in this wrestling class, and I couldn’t be happier with the experience.”
What members say
“Whether you have never put a pair of gloves on, beginner, intermediate, or even an amateur, you don’t go home without learning something new.”
“My family and I were welcomed with open arms and they have been extremely accommodating with the free trial, gi rental, and one-on-one instruction.”
“Additionally the balance of conditioning, technique drilling, and rolling is pretty good, but can be a lot for a beginning without good fundamentals.”
“Additionally the balance of conditioning, technique drilling, and rolling is pretty good, but can be a lot for a beginning without good fundamentals.”
“We did quite a bit of research before choosing a gym for our kids to learn the sport and ultimately decided on Carlson Gracie.”
“Each class from beginner to advanced youth has the right amount of challenge and discipline to suit there age and experience.”
From the reviews
We did quite a bit of research before choosing a gym for our kids to learn the sport and ultimately decided on Carlson Gracie. The kids class is great with the kids learning discipline and technique. The trial period is awesome and really helpful. There’s a good area for parents and siblings to hangout during class.
I did a fair amount of research before starting my boys at Carlson Gracie GR and am extremely happy with our decision. I have 2 boys (8 & 6 years old) that have been going for almost a year and just started my youngest (4 years old). I have loved watching them grow in strength, technique, and self confidence.
This place is amazingly!!! Whether your child is a beginner or already has experience in BJJ, they have a class for you. Each class from beginner to advanced youth has the right amount of challenge and discipline to suit there age and experience.
I have four kids (ages 5-11) enrolled in this wrestling class, and I couldn’t be happier with the experience. It’s an excellent program for beginners , teaching solid fundamentals in a way that keeps the kids engaged and excited to learn.
New to BJJ? Start at Carlson Gracie Grand Rapids Bjj Jiu-jitsu
Carlson Gracie Grand Rapids Bjj Jiu-jitsu comes up as a beginner-friendly gym, going by their listing and members’ reviews. 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 Carlson Gracie Grand Rapids Bjj Jiu-jitsu
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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