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Gracie Barra Ahwatukee Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Self Defense
4.8 ★★★★★ 78 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Phoenix, Arizona
Part of Gracie Barra
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 4–14) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- Women's classes dedicated women's BJJ classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
- 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 gbahwatukee.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (480) 757-6801
Hours
| Monday | 6 AM–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 6 AM–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 6 AM–9 PM |
| Thursday | 6 AM–9 PM |
| Friday | 6 AM–9 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM–12 PM |
| Sunday | 6 AM–9 PM |
The classes they run
“My son has been doing Jiu-Jitsu for 2 and a half years and started when we was 3 years old and I’ve seen his progress and how positively it has impacted him and his confidence.”
“The ladies class is awesome and the first day I went I learned very valuable self defense moves.”
“Wholeheartedly recommend this school for kids, teens and adults.”
“They have visiting professors who compete at the highest levels of black belt competition and not a one of them is ever too busy to help out a beginner or lower rank student.”
“In addition to my personal success, our girls’ confidence went up and learned about respect, commitment, and humility - not only self defense.”
“They have visiting professors who compete at the highest levels of black belt competition and not a one of them is ever too busy to help out a beginner or lower rank student.”
What members say
“For those who wish to further their skills the gym offers competitive classes as well as 1:1 training offered by their amazing coaches!”
“They have visiting professors who compete at the highest levels of black belt competition and not a one of them is ever too busy to help out a beginner or lower rank student.”
“I've been coming here a while now and the honest truth is Professor Luis and his wife are some of the most down to earth and humble people you will ever meet.”
“Professors Luis and Roiter are excellent with the kids and have established a great environment for them to learn work ethic, discipline, technique, and have fun.”
“I can see it from all their members along with first hand experience with me and my children all training here! We love GB Ahwatukee.”
“They have visiting professors who compete at the highest levels of black belt competition and not a one of them is ever too busy to help out a beginner or lower rank student.”
From the reviews
My daughter and I have been attending this gym for a bit over a month. Professors Luis and Roiter are excellent with the kids and have established a great environment for them to learn work ethic, discipline, technique, and have fun.
I have been training at Gracie Barra for over 3 years and it has been an amazing journey. We have incredible professors, a great environment, and it’s always a fun time. Professors take care of everyone while pushing us to our limits and making sure we’re giving it our all. I’m proud to be a part of the school.
Hello, This is a personal statement I would like to share with others interested in GB. We love jujitsu! My husband and I wanted to get our girls involved because, let’s be honest, in this crazy world we live in, why not! We definitely made one of the best decisions for our family with this active sport.
1 year update: Gracie Barra Ahwatukee has become home and family to us. All my children participate and whether they want to compete or do it for the workout the Professors and coaches are so supportive. It’s truly a community for everyone.
New to BJJ? Start at Gracie Barra Ahwatukee Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Self Defense
Gracie Barra Ahwatukee Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and 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 Gracie Barra Ahwatukee Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and 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.
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