Home › Louisiana › Lake Charles › Gracie Barra Lake Charles
Gracie Barra Lake Charles
5 ★★★★★ 196 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Lake Charles, Louisiana
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
- Open mat open-mat rolling sessions for members to practice live — always optional and at your own pace
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule gblakecharles.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (337) 602-6265
Hours
| Monday | 11 AM–1:30 PM, 4:15–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 11 AM–1:30 PM, 4:30–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 10:30 AM–12:30 PM, 4:15–9 PM |
| Thursday | 11 AM–1:30 PM, 4:30–9 PM |
| Friday | 8–11 AM |
| Saturday | 9 AM–1:30 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“It’s a family-oriented environment that has a very positive impact on kids and adults — helping everyone build confidence and learn discipline with respect.”
“(GB 1/teen & adult) I’ve only recently started this course, but I am very pleased with the education.”
“The head instructor, Professor Jaime, sets a smooth, focused pace to the class, and I even got to roll with him during open mat.”
“Even though it was my first time going there the way it was set up and coordinated made it feel like i had been going for years.”
What members say
“Professor Jaime is hands down the best teacher ever!”
“It's always a little intimidating coming to train at a new gym, but the people here are so warm and welcoming, they make it an absolute joy.”
“It’s a family-oriented environment that has a very positive impact on kids and adults — helping everyone build confidence and learn discipline with respect.”
“The knowledge and in depth detail of the Art is insane too!”
“As visitors from Fort Worth, TX, we were welcomed with open arms and my daughter absolutely LOVED training with Professor Jamie and Coach Cynthia!”
“As a life-long learner passionate about leadership, great organizations/team cultures, and coaching/teaching, I 5 star recommend Gracie Barra Lake Charles!”
From the reviews
Joining Gracie Barra has been a great investment for my health. The Professors, Coaches, and training partners all keep your safety top priority. I have always felt welcomed and encouraged every time I walk through the door and step on the mat.
Cannot say enough good things about Gracie Barra Lake Charles! As visitors from Fort Worth, TX, we were welcomed with open arms and my daughter absolutely LOVED training with Professor Jamie and Coach Cynthia! Everyone was super welcoming, professional, and extremely helpful.
The best place to train! Coaches are incredible, the people are truly wonderful. Everyone wants to see each other succeed and builds each other up. It’s so nice to walk into a gym and have other females-from beginners to advanced belts train. Highly recommend this gym for ALL ages!!
(Little Champions 1/kids) My son started here a few months ago. All the coaches are certified to teach and it shows. Everything I notice about the way my son is behaving on the mat (good or bad) they are already picking up on and making him better. They’re patient, they’re consistent, and they’re kind.
New to BJJ? Start at Gracie Barra Lake Charles
Gracie Barra Lake Charles 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 Lake Charles
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 Lake Charles
Three Brothers Jiu Jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 72 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
Lake Area Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
4.6 ★★★★★ 18 reviews
Olympic Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
4.9 ★★★★★ 62 reviews