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Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Self Defense Tyler

4.8 ★★★★★ 81 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Tyler, Texas

Part of Gracie Barra

BJJ gym Free trial Affiliated Kids & teens 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
  • Kids & youth classes kids and youth BJJ classes — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule gbtyler.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 903-520-1112

Hours

Monday 11 am–12:30 pm, 4–7:30 pm
Tuesday 11 am–12:30 pm, 4–7:30 pm
Wednesday 11 am–12:30 pm, 4–7:30 pm
Thursday 11 am–12:30 pm, 4–7:30 pm
Friday Closed
Saturday 8:30–11:30 am
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 Barra Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Self Defense Tyler, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 13 mentions

“The facility is VERY clean, the atmosphere is always positive, and families are welcome and should not be wary of the language or behavior their children might encounter.”

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Teens BJJ

“I always wanted to wrestle in high school and never had the opportunity.”

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🏆 Competition Team

“The classes are a very nice mix of competitors and recreational members.”

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🛡️ Self-Defense 4 mentions

“Not only do they teach self defense techniques and jiu jitsu, but they also teach skills that are integral in character development.”

All gyms that run self-defense →

Other martial arts here

BJJ gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Self Defense Tyler — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🦵 Kickboxing

“I also partake in their kickboxing program and I love every thing about it.”

Other gyms that also teach kickboxing →

🤸 Wrestling

“I always wanted to wrestle in high school and never had the opportunity.”

Other gyms that also teach wrestling →

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 81 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 7 mentions

“The coach was great — very patient, encouraging, and made everyone feel comfortable while teaching important skills.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 5 mentions

“So excited to see such friendly, knowledgeable, welcoming people teaching jiu-jitsu in East Texas.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 10 mentions

“So excited to see such friendly, knowledgeable, welcoming people teaching jiu-jitsu in East Texas.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 7 mentions

“I have three of my kids here and they love it they feel safe while they learn all the techniques and the coaches are really patient with each child.”

🧒 strong kids program 2 mentions

“I have three of my kids here and they love it they feel safe while they learn all the techniques and the coaches are really patient with each child.”

🎖️ legit lineage & affiliation 12 mentions

“I looked at the available schools in the area and trained for a couple of weeks at one of the others, but ultimately chose Gracie Barra as my Jiu Jitsu home.”

From the reviews

The values and principles that build Master Carlos Gracie Jr.’s personal philosophy have defined to a great extent the culture of Gracie Barra Tyler. I love this place. The students and coach's are great. It is a great community, family oriented, always clean and safe.

★★★★★ — Eduardo, Sep 2022

I am a 45 year old professional who has been interested in Jiu Jitsu for several years now, but never followed through until last year. I looked at the available schools in the area and trained for a couple of weeks at one of the others, but ultimately chose Gracie Barra as my Jiu Jitsu home.

★★★★★ — Old, Feb 2019

I can’t recommend Gracie Barra enough! The staff is stellar. Not only do they teach self defense techniques and jiu jitsu, but they also teach skills that are integral in character development. They are consistent in their student expectations as well as their instruction methods.

★★★★★ — Jamie, Mar 2023

I always wanted to wrestle in high school and never had the opportunity. I also always wanted to take a grappling type of martial arts but ended up taking other styles. I finally have found a home here at Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Professor Mauro and Coach Tim are great. They are great people and teachers.

★★★★★ — Rome, Oct 2018

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 81 reviews →

Your first BJJ class at Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Self Defense Tyler

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 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Self Defense Tyler

6371 Elkton Trail, Tyler, TX75703

Get directions

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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.