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Carlson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu San Antonio | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Self-Defense
4.9 ★★★★★ 137 Google reviews · BJJ gym in San Antonio, Texas
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 (ages 4–12) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- No-gi no-gi grappling classes — training in a rashguard and shorts, with faster scrambles and a natural bridge to MMA
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule carlsongraciejjsatx.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 210-459-1028
Hours
| Monday | 5:50–7 am, 10:45 am–12:30 pm, 4:30–8:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 5:50–7 am, 10:45 am–12:30 pm, 4:30–8:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 5:50–7 am, 10:45 am–12:30 pm, 4:30–8:30 pm |
| Thursday | 5:50–7 am, 10:45 am–12:30 pm, 4:30–8:30 pm |
| Friday | 10:45 am–12:30 pm, 5:15–8 pm |
| Saturday | 8:45 am–12:30 pm |
| Sunday | 10:20–11:30 am |
The classes they run
“If you want your kids (or yourself) to train at the absolute highest level in Texas, Carlson Gracie San Antonio is the only place to be.”
“Under the guidance of Professor Thiago Mendes, the level of technical instruction and elite competition prep is unmatched.”
“Whether your goal is fitness, self-defense, competition, or personal growth, this gym will push you to become a better version of yourself every day.”
“I had never trained Jiu-Jitsu before walking into Carlson Gracie, but Professor Thiago and the team made me feel incredibly welcome from day one.”
Other martial arts here
What members say
“Professor Thiago and Coach Manny are both outstanding—knowledgeable, encouraging, and are genuinely invested in helping everyone grow.”
“The hardest step is walking through the door for the first time, but once you do, you’ll realize everyone here wants to see you succeed.”
“The environment is incredibly welcoming, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to build confidence and skills.”
“Coach Pat is exceptional with the children, not only teaching them techniques but also helping them grasp the underlying principles.”
“My cardio has definitely improved during my time here, not to mention my skill level as well.”
“Carlson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu San Antonio has been awesome for my daughter! She absolutely loves the kids' class, and Coach Pat is incredible.”
From the reviews
If you're looking for a BJJ studio to welcome, challenge, and uplift you—you've found it. My partner has been training here since 2019 (and now teaches). Owner and Professor Thiago is incredibly knowledgeable; fostering a warm and unique environment for martial artists on a journey to find not only fitness and mastery…
Carlson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu San Antonio has been awesome for my daughter! She absolutely loves the kids' class, and Coach Pat is incredible. He keeps all the kids engaged, focused, and having a blast at the same time. You can tell he genuinely cares about their growth, both on and off the mats.
My 5 year old son recently started taking classes at Carlson Gracie Jiu Jitsu. I looked at multiple places and ultimately decided to contact them for a trial class and I'm very glad that I did. Coach Patrick is a fantastic coach.
I started the women’s self-defense class in April 2025 on Saturday mornings, and I’ve learned so much since then. It inspired me to begin attending the regular weekday classes as well. The environment is incredibly welcoming, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to build confidence and skills.
New to BJJ? Start at Carlson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu San Antonio | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Self-Defense
Carlson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu San Antonio | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Self-Defense 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 Carlson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu San Antonio | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Self-Defense
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.
Where to find Carlson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu San Antonio | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Self-Defense
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