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Gracie Barra Downers Grove
4.9 ★★★★★ 189 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Downers Grove, 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
- Women's classes dedicated women's BJJ classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
- 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 gbdownersgrove.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (630) 964-1414
Hours
| Monday | 9 AM–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 10 AM–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 6 AM–9 PM |
| Thursday | 9 AM–9 PM |
| Friday | 6 AM–9 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM–2 PM |
| Sunday | 11:30 AM–1:30 PM |
The classes they run
“Luckily, the beginners classes are tailored to help you learn the fundamentals in a safe, friendly environment.”
“Upon walking in, we were greeted by Coach Vince with a smile and a handshake that put to rest any anxiety my son may have had.”
“All of the coaches are professional and provide the highest standards for BJJ, self-defense, and kickboxing.”
“Luckily, the beginners classes are tailored to help you learn the fundamentals in a safe, friendly environment.”
Other martial arts here
“All of the coaches are professional and provide the highest standards for BJJ, self-defense, and kickboxing.”
What members say
“Professor Carlos is a great teacher with a great lineage and I'm looking forward to continue learning from him.”
“Professor Carlos and Professor Pedro provide such a welcoming environment and truly believe in and have pride for the Gracie Barra name.”
“Professor Carlos and Professor Pedro provide such a welcoming environment and truly believe in and have pride for the Gracie Barra name.”
“The instructors are top-notch - they are patient, highly knowledgeable, and pay close attention to detail to make sure students are learning the right way.”
“I feel more confident and am in better shape than I was 4 months ago, as well (the classes are great for cardio and WAY more fun than killing time on a treadmill).”
“My boys are members of the new lenox gracie barra and they love it and they attended summer camp at the downers grove this year and begged for more .”
From the reviews
I switched from the WL location to DG because of work. Since day 1 I have felt so welcomed at DG. The professors and coaches here are amazing and really helpful, especially Coach Vince he is the best. Everyone I train with are super friendly and wants you to succeed and that combination is hard to find.
Professor Carlos and Professor Pedro provide such a welcoming environment and truly believe in and have pride for the Gracie Barra name. All of the coaches are professional and provide the highest standards for BJJ, self-defense, and kickboxing. BEST decision we have made in our fitness and wellness journey.
My boys are members of the new lenox gracie barra and they love it and they attended summer camp at the downers grove this year and begged for more . The coaches are amazing professors are amazing we have visited here for a few activities and they always want to return ,but what are family loves the most is i dont…
Started training at Gracie Barra Downers Grove three months ago and have absolutely loved it. All the coaches/professors have made the experience memorable and productive. I feel like I've learned so much in the past three months and I'm excited to begin competing a couple months from now.
New to BJJ? Start at Gracie Barra Downers Grove
Gracie Barra Downers Grove 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 Downers Grove
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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