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Gracie Arizona Jiu Jitsu Academy
4.7 ★★★★★ 100 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Phoenix, Arizona
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
- Membership memberships run around $99/mo — many academies also offer a discounted first month and family plans, so ask about new-member rates
- 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 5–14) — 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
- Open mat open-mat rolling sessions for members to practice live — always optional and at your own pace
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule graciearizona.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (602) 321-6544
Hours
| Monday | 10–11:30 AM, 4–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 10–11:30 AM, 5–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 10–11:30 AM, 4–8 PM |
| Thursday | 10–11:30 AM, 5–9 PM |
| Friday | 10–11:30 AM, 6–7:30 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM–2:30 PM |
| Sunday | 10 AM–12 PM |
The classes they run
“I’m a purple belt and I dropped into Gracie Arizona Jiu Jitsu for a two hour fundamental and sparring class.”
“Nathan and his team of black belt instructors bring a rare depth of knowledge to the art, and have created a fun, welcoming environment for both kids and adults.”
“Great family BJJ gym, well attended women's classes and kids' programs.”
“They also run a quality competition class on Tuesdays and Thursdays and have lots of high level instructors.”
“Dan for the little standup experience I have and the great open mats.”
“Self defense focused and submission based Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu which is very different than your normal sports Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) based schools which are 99% of the schools out there.”
Other martial arts here
What members say
“Nathan and his team of black belt instructors bring a rare depth of knowledge to the art, and have created a fun, welcoming environment for both kids and adults.”
“Nathan and his team of black belt instructors bring a rare depth of knowledge to the art, and have created a fun, welcoming environment for both kids and adults.”
“I've been taking my son to the mighty might class here for several months and the coaches/staff have always been welcoming and supportive.”
“Greg for his phenomenal details and for always reminding me to do something with my hooks.”
“They also run a quality competition class on Tuesdays and Thursdays and have lots of high level instructors.”
“I’ve went to a few different schools and no school matched the friendliness and welcoming nature of Gracie Arizona.”
From the reviews
8/2024 update: trained here for a year and half while I lived in Phoenix. This place really became my home outside of home and really solidified my love for BJJ. I love how each of the coaches brings something special to you game and really help to provide feedback on aspects to improve.
Gracia Arizona provides high quality Gracie Jujitsu, the instructors are very knowledgeable and friendly. The facility is very large, clean and welcoming, I highly recommend.
This is the best place to learn and train Jiu-Jitsu in Arizona. Incredibly experienced staff with a lot of black, brown, and purple belts who create a very welcoming and family friendly environment. Great for beginners to advanced practioners.
I recently moved to AZ and was looking for a bjj gym to stay fit and active. I’ve went to a few different schools and no school matched the friendliness and welcoming nature of Gracie Arizona. Their class schedule is unbeatable, you’ll always find a class that fits your schedule.
New to BJJ? Start at Gracie Arizona Jiu Jitsu Academy
Gracie Arizona Jiu Jitsu Academy 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 Gracie Arizona Jiu Jitsu Academy
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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