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Gracie Barra Downey
4.8 ★★★★★ 47 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Downey, California
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 gbdowney.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 562-545-8153
Hours
| Monday | 4–9 pm |
| Tuesday | 4–9 pm |
| Wednesday | 4–9 pm |
| Thursday | 4–9:30 pm |
| Friday | 5–7 pm |
| Saturday | 9 am–1:30 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“Thank you to Professor Chris, Coach Daniel, Coach Josh & Coach Natalie for amazing kids classes this morning.”
“Whether you're new to the Jiu-Jitsu game or a skilled competitor, it's a great place to have fun and learn.”
“Love this place recommend if you want to teach your munchkin self-defense”
What members say
“I have trained at Gracie Barra Downey several times and I have to say coach Chris is a great instructor and ensures that this academy has a friendly environment.”
“Coach Chris and Professor Andrew are both super professional and welcoming individuals.”
“I have trained at Gracie Barra Downey several times and I have to say coach Chris is a great instructor and ensures that this academy has a friendly environment.”
“professor chris is very detailed while explaining techniques to both kids & adults & coaches r good as well.”
“My kids have learned so much not to mention discipline and better focus.”
“I also loved the way they introduced competition and training in a light-hearted way removing stress and providing space for the kids to work hard.”
From the reviews
I have 3 children who attend Gracie Ibarra in Downey. It's the best place you can go! My kids have learned so much not to mention discipline and better focus. Coach Chris is awesome and the rest of the coaches are pretty cool.
Thank you to Professor Chris, Coach Daniel, Coach Josh & Coach Natalie for amazing kids classes this morning. What a fun, energetic place to learn self defense and sports jiu jitsu. Prof Chris had the parents AND kids laughing with all his jokes and character references.
Ive been lookin for a bjj school for my daughter & finally found one she likes & weve tried a couple in the area & wasnt impressed & Yes ive tried callin & no call back so i thought it was closed.
Professor Andrew and Coach Chris are Amazing Brazilian Jiu-jitsu instructors! My 5-year old daughter and I train here when we come down from San Diego to visit family.
New to BJJ? Start at Gracie Barra Downey
Gracie Barra Downey 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 Downey
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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