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Chapel Hill Gracie Jiu Jitsu

4.9 ★★★★★ 80 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Chapel Hill, North Carolina

BJJ gym Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons

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

  • 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
  • Women's classes dedicated women's BJJ classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
  • 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
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule chapelhilljiujitsu.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 919-265-4255

Hours

Monday 8 am–12 pm, 3–8 pm
Tuesday 8 am–12 pm, 3–8 pm
Wednesday 8 am–12 pm, 3–8 pm
Thursday 8 am–12 pm, 3–8 pm
Friday 8 am–12 pm
Saturday 8:30 am–1:30 pm
Sunday Closed

Hours shift for holidays, seminars, and open-gym times — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

BJJ classes on the schedule at Chapel Hill Gracie Jiu Jitsu, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

📘 Fundamentals 4 mentions

“I'm in the beginner class, and we focus on positions for sprints of 3 weeks (for example: when I started, we were focusing on guard, then side control, and now mount).”

All gyms that run fundamentals →

🧒 Kids BJJ 2 mentions

“My kids and I have been training here for a few years, and I wish I had started sooner.”

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🛡️ Self-Defense 3 mentions

“I've gained valuable self-defense skills, improved my fitness, and found a welcoming community of like-minded individuals.”

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🌱 Beginners 5 mentions

“I'm in the beginner class, and we focus on positions for sprints of 3 weeks (for example: when I started, we were focusing on guard, then side control, and now mount).”

All gyms that run beginners →

Other martial arts here

BJJ gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at Chapel Hill Gracie Jiu Jitsu — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🦵 Kickboxing 3 mentions

“Liv was very welcoming and helpful to me during my first time kickboxing!”

Other gyms that also teach kickboxing →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the gym's own info — they show what members have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want MMA, muay thai, or wrestling alongside your BJJ, confirm the current schedule with the gym.

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 80 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 7 mentions

“I've been to several other gyms over the past few years on and off, but this school offers the best instruction I've received.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 13 mentions

“I'm in the beginner class, and we focus on positions for sprints of 3 weeks (for example: when I started, we were focusing on guard, then side control, and now mount).”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 20 mentions

“I have been taking foundational classes here and all the coaches (Mazi, Jake, and Megan) are supportive, super knowledgeable, patient, kind, and teach very well.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 9 mentions

“They provide personalized attention and constructive feedback in every class, ensuring that students of all levels improve their technique and confidence.”

great workout & conditioning 2 mentions

“I love taking cardio kickboxing with Liv.”

🎖️ legit lineage & affiliation 8 mentions

“I've always believed that any training facility should have a welcoming and friendly feeling, and Chapel Hill Gracie Jiu Jitsu definitely meets that description.”

From the reviews

I can't say enough about how awesome of a place this is to train. The training is world class as our instructor is one of the best teachers I've ever met throughout my life. The facility is incredibly nice and the environment is great!

★★★★★ — Dance, Feb 2017

This is a wonderful gym with amazing, caring instructors. I train here as do my two children (7 and 9). I've grown as a person through my time spent with Mazi and staff. I feel healthy-- both mentally and physically-- when I spend time here. I'd give it more stars if I could.

★★★★★ — Jen, Feb 2017

Chapel Hill Jiu-Jitsu is an outstanding martial arts academy that I highly recommend to anyone looking to learn Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. From the moment I joined, I was impressed by the welcoming atmosphere and the professionalism of the instructors.

★★★★★ — Tom, Jun 2024

Extremely positive experience with everyone from Chapel Hill Gracie. I've been to several other gyms over the past few years on and off, but this school offers the best instruction I've received.

★★★★★ — Jonah, Apr 2021

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 80 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Chapel Hill Gracie Jiu Jitsu

Chapel Hill Gracie Jiu Jitsu 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.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first BJJ class at Chapel Hill Gracie 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.

BJJ is a contact sport. Ease in, tap early and often, listen to your coaches, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find Chapel Hill Gracie Jiu Jitsu

1728 Fordham Blvd, Chapel Hill, NC27517

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this gym? Claim your listing — it's free.