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Gracie Barra Columbia Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Self Defense
4.9 ★★★★★ 104 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Columbia, Missouri
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
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule graciebarra.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (573) 749-5733
Hours
| Monday | 11 AM–1 PM, 4–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 4–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 11 AM–1 PM, 4–8 PM |
| Thursday | 4–8 PM |
| Friday | 11 AM–1 PM, 4–8 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM–12 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“The Professor and higher belts are patient, knowledgeable, and take the time to make sure beginners understand the fundamentals without feeling overwhelmed.”
“My daughter started training at Gracie Barra Columbia because she was routinely being bullied at school for several years.”
“She does not want to compete due to anxiety.”
“The Professor and higher belts are patient, knowledgeable, and take the time to make sure beginners understand the fundamentals without feeling overwhelmed.”
Other martial arts here
“I had never trained in any sort of martial art or wrestling before I started here, and I am so grateful that I am at the best gym I could have asked for.”
What members say
“The gym is kept clean, there are loads of great folks that train there, and the professor does a great job of educating others on the art of jiu-jitsu.”
“Professor Fabio, Lais, and the team of instructors at GB Columbia have been so welcoming to our family and have really made our son feel at home in a new environment.”
“Professor Fabio, Lais, and the team of instructors at GB Columbia have been so welcoming to our family and have really made our son feel at home in a new environment.”
“The Professor and higher belts are patient, knowledgeable, and take the time to make sure beginners understand the fundamentals without feeling overwhelmed.”
“My daughter went from a kid who loved learning and school to trying to get out of going.”
“She does not want to compete due to anxiety.”
From the reviews
Gracie Barra BJJ is an outstanding place to train. From day one, I felt completely welcomed by both the instructors and the students. The facility is always clean and well-organized, which makes a big difference in feeling comfortable and focused during training.
The atmosphere at Gracie Barra is amazing. I have felt welcomed since my very first class. The professor and coaches are always willing to answer my questions and help me with techniques I have questions about. It has been so much fun training the past couple months and I recommend it to everyone.
My daughter started training at Gracie Barra Columbia because she was routinely being bullied at school for several years. Starting in 6th grade, this bullying behaviour began as group verbal harassment by both girls and boys, some of whom she didn't know.
We can’t say enough wonderful things about this Jiu Jitsu program. The coaches are truly exceptional, not only highly skilled, but genuinely invested in our kids. You can see how much they care in the way they teach, encourage, and push each child to be the best version of themselves, both on and off the mats.
New to BJJ? Start at Gracie Barra Columbia Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Self Defense
Gracie Barra Columbia 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.
Your first BJJ class at Gracie Barra Columbia 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.
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