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Gracie Barra Madison, AL
5 ★★★★★ 32 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Madison, Alabama
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
- 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 gbmadisonalabama.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (256) 631-3704
Hours
| Monday | 9 AM–1 PM, 3–7 PM |
| Tuesday | 9 AM–12 PM, 3–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 9 AM–1 PM, 3–7 PM |
| Thursday | 9 AM–12 PM, 3–8 PM |
| Friday | 4–6 PM |
| Saturday | 8:30 AM–12 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“My son Loves this place and teammates, they really HELP each other to be become stronger, wiser and confident!”
“Everyone is treated the same if you’re a competitor or a hobbyist.”
“If you’re interested in BJJ, self defense, fitness, or just a new hobby, look no further.”
“The instruction is high quality, structured, and accessible whether you’re a complete beginner or have prior experience.”
Other martial arts here
What members say
“If you’re looking for top-tier BJJ training with excellent coaching and a supportive culture, Gracie Barra is the place to train in Madison.”
“The instruction is high quality, structured, and accessible whether you’re a complete beginner or have prior experience.”
“The environment is welcoming and disciplined at the same time—there’s a strong sense of community, but also a clear focus on fundamentals, technique, and personal development.”
“The environment is welcoming and disciplined at the same time—there’s a strong sense of community, but also a clear focus on fundamentals, technique, and personal development.”
“My son Loves this place and teammates, they really HELP each other to be become stronger, wiser and confident!”
“We’re now getting ready for our son’s first competition, and the preparation and confidence he’s built at Gracie Barra has been incredible to watch.”
From the reviews
Outstanding kids program – couldn’t be happier Our 5-year-old son has been training at Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu in Madison, AL for almost six months now, and we couldn’t be more impressed.
Gracie Barra Madison has profoundly enriched our family’s life. My 4yo son has been training for approximately six months, and I have been training alongside him for about four months.
Gracie Barra is hands down the best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu school in the Madison area. The instruction is high quality, structured, and accessible whether you’re a complete beginner or have prior experience. The coaches are knowledgeable, professional, and genuinely invested in each student’s progress.
Gracie Barra Madison offers top-quality instruction with highly skilled and professional coaches. The academy is extremely organized, clean, and well structured. What really stands out is the family-friendly atmosphere — everyone is respectful, supportive, and welcoming.
New to BJJ? Start at Gracie Barra Madison, AL
Gracie Barra Madison, AL comes up as a beginner-friendly gym, going by their listing and members’ reviews. 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 Madison, AL
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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