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Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu West Side Albuquerque New Mexico
4.8 ★★★★★ 69 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Albuquerque, New Mexico
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
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule gbwestside.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 505-818-8077
Hours
| Monday | 10 am–12 pm, 3–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 10 am–12 pm, 3–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 10 am–12 pm, 3–8 pm |
| Thursday | 3–8 pm |
| Friday | 3–8 pm |
| Saturday | 9 am–12 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“Through the coaching and camaraderie present in this school she has improved so much that we have since signed up our two other children as well and are seeing similar benefits.”
“They are both competitors and have numerous gold medals and that comes from the training, discipline and family vibe at westside.”
“Whether you’re young or old, experienced or brand new, there’s a place for you at Gracie Barra West Side.”
Other martial arts here
“I think I was always chasing that same energy I had during my wrestling and military days: training hard with a solid group of people, led by an instructor I respected.”
What members say
“Professor Luis is a great instructor, very skilled/knowledgeable, and creates a safe learning environment!”
“His teaching style is thorough and fundamentals-focused, yet he keeps the environment fun, serious, and incredibly welcoming.”
“The GB West Side team feels like a family and I know that the things they are learning here will serve them now and in their futures.”
“The technique and details to help you grow in this sport whether it’s to do it for fun and or be an athlete is just simply phenomenal!”
“So if you want to get into great shape, incredible cardio while having fun, learn a martial art, and develop friendships, you should consider the West Side Gracie Barra.”
“They are both competitors and have numerous gold medals and that comes from the training, discipline and family vibe at westside.”
From the reviews
West Side is the Best Side! West Side Gracie Barra Jiu Jitsu Academy is renowned for Discipline and Mental Toughness for Youth! It's not for everybody, but if you want the best, this is it! The Westside GBJJ Academy is truly exceptional, especially when it comes to developing the next generation of competitors.
I’ve been in and out of Jiu-Jitsu gyms for years—I'd start for a few months, then fall off again. I think I was always chasing that same energy I had during my wrestling and military days: training hard with a solid group of people, led by an instructor I respected.
I’ve been part of the Westside adults curriculum for over 8 years — through two locations and countless changes as we continue to grow. The one thing that’s always consistent is our resilience and ability to persevere as a team. Someone once said, “Westside, the best side” — and it’s true.
Amazing staff and instructors and fellow students. Very clean and welcoming to all levels and ages and shapes and sizes. You won’t regret it and it’s definitely the funnest way to get in shape.
New to BJJ? Start at Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu West Side Albuquerque New Mexico
Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu West Side Albuquerque New Mexico 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 Jiu-Jitsu West Side Albuquerque New Mexico
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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