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Gracie Barra Aventura Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Self Defense

4.9 ★★★★★ 156 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Aventura, Florida

Part of Gracie Barra

BJJ gym Free trial Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens 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
  • 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 gbaventura.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (954) 589-2263

Hours

Monday 4–9 PM
Tuesday 11:30 AM–1:30 PM, 4–9 PM
Wednesday 6:30–8:30 AM, 4–8 PM
Thursday 11:30 AM–1:30 PM, 4–8 PM
Friday 6:30 AM–8:30 PM
Saturday 9 AM–12:30 PM
Sunday 8:30–11:30 AM

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 Barra Aventura Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Self Defense, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 30 mentions

“I would like to thank the entire coaching staff and the front desk team for the warm welcome they gave my son.”

All gyms that run kids bjj →

🏆 Competition Team 5 mentions

“My son became very serious about his practice and attended his first tournament.”

All gyms that run competition team →

🛡️ Self-Defense

All gyms that run self-defense →

🌱 Beginners 3 mentions

“The atmosphere is welcoming, the staff and coaches are very friendly, and I feel comfortable even as a beginner.”

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 Gracie Barra Aventura Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Self Defense — 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 156 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 3 mentions

“Professor Cristiano is an excellent instructor — patient, dedicated, and passionate about teaching not only jiu-jitsu techniques but also discipline, respect, and confidence.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 7 mentions

“Additionally, the staff is consistently friendly and supportive, and the academy itself is clean, organized, and very welcoming.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 20 mentions

“From day one, we were welcomed with open arms—the atmosphere is so warm and genuine that it truly feels like we’ve gained a second family.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 5 mentions

“The instructors not only teach the technique but also engage with the kids, talk to them at the end of each class, transmit the philosophy of the fight and other wise life ideas.”

🧒 strong kids program 2 mentions

“We are extremely pleased with our son’s progress. The discipline, dedication, and knowledge demonstrated by the coaches have gone far beyond our expectations.”

active competition team 5 mentions

“My son became very serious about his practice and attended his first tournament.”

From the reviews

My son has tried several Jiu-Jitsu schools before finding a perfect fit with Gracie Barra. Prior to joining, he was a gentle and kind-hearted boy, though lacking self-confidence, often referred to as a "teddy bear" by others. Within about four months of practicing at Gracie Barra, we observed a profound transformation.

★★★★★ — Madina, Aug 2023

I recently started training at Gracie Barra Aventura and so far it’s been a really positive experience. The atmosphere is welcoming, the staff and coaches are very friendly, and I feel comfortable even as a beginner.

★★★★★ — Den, Aug 2025

Our family feels incredibly blessed to be a part of this amazing Jiu Jitsu school. From the moment we walked in, we were welcomed with open arms by not only the incredible professors and staff, but also the kind, supportive, and inspiring families that make up this community.

★★★★★ — Jennifer, Apr 2025

Going to Gracie Barra Aventura with my nephew has been one of the best decisions we've ever made. From day one, we were welcomed with open arms—the atmosphere is so warm and genuine that it truly feels like we’ve gained a second family.

★★★★★ — David, Apr 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 156 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Gracie Barra Aventura Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Self Defense

Gracie Barra Aventura Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & 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.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first BJJ class at Gracie Barra Aventura Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & 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.

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 Barra Aventura Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Self Defense

18861 Biscayne Blvd, Aventura, FL33180

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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.