Home › California › Irvine › Gracie Barra Headquarters - Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Self Defense
Gracie Barra Headquarters - Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Self Defense
4.9 ★★★★★ 165 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Irvine, 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
- Women's classes dedicated women's BJJ classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
- 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 gbirvine.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 949-551-6582
Hours
| Monday | 11 am–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 11 am–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 11 am–8 pm |
| Thursday | 11 am–8 pm |
| Friday | 11 am–8 pm |
| Saturday | 9 am–2 pm |
| Sunday | 9–11 am |
The classes they run
“The entire team, including the coaches, are professional, friendly, knowledgeable, and approachable, which makes a huge difference for both parents and kids.”
“There’s a women’s class which I appreciate and the level 1 classes are filled with respectful and professional men and women whom you learn a lot from!”
“Never thought I would like it as much as I did but definitely 10/10 would recommend trying out a class here if you’re looking to learn about self defense or about the sport itself.”
“From the moment I walked in the very first time and every single class after that, everyone has been so inviting and welcoming and makes me feel so comfortable.”
Other martial arts here
What members say
“As someone who just started their jiu-jitsu journey, I can definitely say that Gracia Barra is a professional and welcoming community of Jiu-jitsu coaches and students.”
“As someone who just started their jiu-jitsu journey, I can definitely say that Gracia Barra is a professional and welcoming community of Jiu-jitsu coaches and students.”
“I love that the class sizes are relatively small for the days/times she attends - so she gets a lot of practice for the technique they are working on.”
“We are looking forward to seeing our son progress and gain more confidence in jiu jitsu!”
“It's a first rate school with a pedigree to the founders of Brazilian JiuJitsu and a name respected at every BBJ competition.”
“Being at Gracie barra this past month has been a blast, meeting the wonderful people that train here and also the professors and coaches are so amazing.”
From the reviews
Training at this Jiu-Jitsu school has been an amazing experience! From day one, I was welcomed with open arms by a team of highly skilled instructors and a super attentive staff.
I've trained in martial arts for over 20 years. Recently, I moved to Irvine and stumbled upon Gracie Barra. What a lucky find! It's a first rate school with a pedigree to the founders of Brazilian JiuJitsu and a name respected at every BBJ competition.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I am truly grateful to the entire team at Gracie Barra Irvine for everything they do. Starting Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at 50 years old, overweight and without motivation to exercise, was intimidating, but the support I found here changed my life.
Top notch facility! Instructors are world class. They really are knowledgeable, make all the information attainable, and give personalized coaching. The women's class is incredible and I'd love to give a special shoutout to Lindsey and Panda! The community aspect here makes all the difference.
New to BJJ? Start at Gracie Barra Headquarters - Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Self Defense
Gracie Barra Headquarters - 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 Headquarters - 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.
More BJJ gyms near Irvine
Bushido-Kai Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 11 reviews
Kama Jiu-Jitsu Irvine
5 ★★★★★ 13 reviews
Valor Jiu Jitsu Club
5 ★★★★★ 29 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site