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First Bjj Carlson Gracie

4.9 ★★★★★ 92 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Holladay, Utah

Part of Carlson Gracie

BJJ gym Free trial Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons No-gi Competition team

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
  • 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
  • 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 firstbjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 801-864-0440

Hours

Monday 9 am–8 pm
Tuesday 9 am–8 pm
Wednesday 6 am–8 pm
Thursday 9 am–8 pm
Friday 6 am–7:30 pm
Saturday 8:30 am–1 pm
Sunday 8:30 am–12:30 pm

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 First Bjj Carlson Gracie, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 14 mentions

“Carlos takes the time with the younger classes and is the perfect blend of being firm and fun where even the youngest kids fall in line and really respect him.”

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🏆 Competition Team

“Kids, hobbyists, and hardcore competitors are all welcome here.”

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🌱 Beginners 4 mentions

“Excellent academy, with qualified teachers and with a high degree in sports, giving full support from beginners, kids, adults and more advanced classes.”

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Other martial arts here

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

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 92 Google reviews — in their own words.

🌱 welcoming to beginners 6 mentions

“From the moment we joined First BJJ, he has created a welcoming, respectful, and positive environment where everyone feels supported and encouraged to grow.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 19 mentions

“From the moment we joined First BJJ, he has created a welcoming, respectful, and positive environment where everyone feels supported and encouraged to grow.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 3 mentions

“My technique is improving so quickly and I keep surprising myself both in competition and when rolling with students from other schools.”

🧒 strong kids program 2 mentions

“Kids love coming and training here.”

active competition team 2 mentions

“My technique is improving so quickly and I keep surprising myself both in competition and when rolling with students from other schools.”

🧠 builds confidence & discipline 6 mentions

“His classes not only teach effective Jiu-Jitsu techniques but also help build confidence, discipline, respect, and perseverance.”

From the reviews

Incredible gym!!!!! The level of instruction is superb (as expected from two world champions) and I consider myself incredibly lucky to be able to roll with them every single lesson! My technique is improving so quickly and I keep surprising myself both in competition and when rolling with students from other schools.

★★★★★ — Ross, May 2015

Ive trained here nearly 2 years now; this is such a great community, and really a positive culture for a gym. The instruction is phenomenal and not only the coaches but every training partner cares about making each other better every day. Come see Professor Carlos!! It will change your life!

★★★★★ — Derek, Oct 2024

First BJJ is the best and most legit Brazilian Jiu Jitsu school in Utah, Carlos Santos and Suyan Queiroz, not only were great athletes with many achievements but they make it easy to learn when they are running classes. Always helpful and encouraging, the atmosphere is great at the gym.

★★★★★ — Pedro, Jun 2021

I've had such a positive experience training at First BJJ Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and so have my kids! The classes are well-structured, challenging, and a great way for us all to get active. For me, the 6am classes are the perfect start to my day – I leave feeling accomplished and ready to tackle anything.

★★★★★ — Chevo, Oct 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 92 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at First Bjj Carlson Gracie

First Bjj Carlson Gracie 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 First Bjj Carlson Gracie

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 First Bjj Carlson Gracie

5508 Van Winkle, Holladay, UT84117

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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.