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Gracie Barra Collinsville Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Self Defense
4.5 ★★★★★ 22 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Collinsville, Illinois
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 — 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
- No-gi no-gi grappling classes — training in a rashguard and shorts, with faster scrambles and a natural bridge to MMA
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule gbcollinsville.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (618) 213-2422
Hours
| Monday | 11 AM–12:15 PM, 5–8:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 5–8:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 11 AM–12:15 PM, 5–8:30 PM |
| Thursday | 5–8:30 PM |
| Friday | 11 AM–12:30 PM |
| Saturday | 9:30 AM–12:30 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“My daughters are younger and the staff is truly a family and do an amazing job of mixing when it is time to have fun, and when it’s time to be serious.”
“You'll get trained in self defense and get some stretching and exercise.”
“I can say that this place is amazing trains all ages and all levels.”
What members say
“Instruction is best in the area with great professor/coach to student ratio!”
“Solid Professors, welcoming family friendly environment and attention to safety for newcomers (especially children).”
“My daughters are younger and the staff is truly a family and do an amazing job of mixing when it is time to have fun, and when it’s time to be serious.”
“Expert instruction tailored for your kids. Help them build confidence, strength, strategic thinking, patience and a love of learning by enrolling in this school.”
“Gracie Barra Collinsville is a tight knit expanding community with great values.”
“Help them build confidence, strength, strategic thinking, patience and a love of learning by enrolling in this school.”
From the reviews
Joining this school 14 months ago was the best decision for my son! After trying several select sports options, he found his true passion was for Brazilian Jui Jitsu. The instructor led classes are very organized! There is an option for everyone at this school….from kids, women, and adults of all ages….
Gracie barra collinsville is amazing, wonderful attitudes and top training. No high pressure to buy atmosphere like most other dojo’s in the area.
Excellent School Welcoming Atmosphere Excellent Technical Knowledge and Experience from certified instructors
Best BJJ school by far! Expert instruction tailored for your kids. Help them build confidence, strength, strategic thinking, patience and a love of learning by enrolling in this school. Let me introduce my son to you if you want a testimonial. This is where you and your kids should train!
New to BJJ? Start at Gracie Barra Collinsville Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Self Defense
Gracie Barra Collinsville 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 Collinsville 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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