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Gracie Academy Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

4.8 ★★★★★ 21 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Modesto, California

Part of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu

BJJ gym Free trial Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons 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 (ages 4–15) — 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
  • Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule graciemodesto.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 209-238-9801

Hours

Monday 10:30 am–12:30 pm, 3:30–8 pm
Tuesday 3–8 pm
Wednesday 10:30 am–12:30 pm, 3:30–8 pm
Thursday 3–8 pm
Friday Closed
Saturday 9:30 am–1 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 Gracie Academy Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 17 mentions

“Have been bring my son here for 3 years now and he's grown into such a confident person.”

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🥋 Gi

“I dropped in for a couple of evening gi classes.”

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🛡️ Self-Defense

“The instructors Karl and Tyson are great and very knowledgeable about jiu jitsu and overall self defense.”

All gyms that run self-defense →

🌱 Beginners

“Great for beginners and experts alike.”

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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 Gracie Academy Brazilian Jiu Jitsu — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🎽 Karate

“I couldn't get him to do karate or anything else but he jumped right in and couldn't stop talking about it all day!”

Other gyms that also teach karate →

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 21 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 3 mentions

“The instructor’s here are amazing and I wouldn’t have gotten as far as I have with out them.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 4 mentions

“Stopped by for some training while visiting family in Modesto and was very impressed at the welcoming environment I encountered.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 6 mentions

“Stopped by for some training while visiting family in Modesto and was very impressed at the welcoming environment I encountered.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 2 mentions

“The instructors there gave a very solid, detail oriented class that focused on the details of this move.”

🧒 strong kids program 3 mentions

“Awesome place , our son has been going for a year and loves it and has grown so much.”

🧼 clean, well-kept mats 4 mentions

“The gym was very clean and the students were welcoming.”

From the reviews

Great energy and very knowledgeable. I'm an older student (49 y/o) that is pretty out of shape. I'm interested in working out and learning a usable skill without beating up my body. This Academy checks all the boxxes. Great for beginners and experts alike.

★★★★★ — Jeff, Jul 2019

This place was great. Stopped by for some training while visiting family in Modesto and was very impressed at the welcoming environment I encountered. The instructors there gave a very solid, detail oriented class that focused on the details of this move.

★★★★★ — Chris, Feb 2016

I took my son and nephew to the intro class today and they loved it! I love that the classes are kept small. They really take their time to help the kids learn. I can't wait for my son to start in a week. I couldn't get him to do karate or anything else but he jumped right in and couldn't stop talking about it all day!

★★★★★ — Alvaro, Aug 2016

My child absolutely loves his classes. So far, we've only had good experiences here. The coaches are firm with the kids but it's jiu-jitsu, not ballet. And my son already knows when he steps on the mat, it's serious time.

★★★★★ — Brittney, May 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 21 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Gracie Academy Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Gracie Academy Brazilian 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 Gracie Academy Brazilian 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 Gracie Academy Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

1501 Coffee Rd, Modesto, CA95355

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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.