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Gracie Barra Newtown Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Self Defense

5 ★★★★★ 154 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Newtown, Pennsylvania

Part of Gracie Barra

BJJ gym Free trial Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons Competition team

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
  • 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 gbnewtown.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (215) 999-4671

Hours

Monday 5–7 PM
Tuesday 4:30–7:30 PM
Wednesday 5–7 PM
Thursday 4:30–7:30 PM
Friday Closed
Saturday 9–11 AM
Sunday Closed

Hours shift for holidays, seminars, and open-gym times — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

BJJ classes on the schedule at Gracie Barra Newtown Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Self Defense, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 27 mentions

“So we signed up for their free try out day just to see if my kids like it, not knowing what to expect, I have a 9 yr old girl and a 7 yr old boy.”

All gyms that run kids bjj →

🔓 Open Mat

“Moreover, the scheduling is flexible, catering to various availability needs, and includes open mat and competition sessions.”

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🛡️ Self-Defense 2 mentions

“Whether you're looking to learn self-defense, improve fitness, or delve deeper into the art of Jiu Jitsu, Gracie Barra Newtown is the place to be.”

All gyms that run self-defense →

🌱 Beginners 3 mentions

“The club offers an exceptional environment for both beginners and advanced practitioners alike.”

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Other martial arts here

BJJ gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at Gracie Barra Newtown Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Self Defense — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🤸 Wrestling 2 mentions

“A few times a year the gym hosts wrestling seminars.”

Other gyms that also teach wrestling →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the gym's own info — they show what members have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want MMA, muay thai, or wrestling alongside your BJJ, confirm the current schedule with the gym.

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 154 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 2 mentions

“Coach John and his team are great with the kids, and the mats are always clean.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 10 mentions

“Michelle and Professor John were both very welcoming to our family, and made us feel very comfortable during our time at their facility.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 20 mentions

“Professor John, a black belt under world champion Ricardo Almeida, is one of the most technical, professional, and friendly instructors I’ve ever trained with.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 5 mentions

“They ensure that everyone receives personalized attention, focusing on technique, strategy, and fostering a supportive atmosphere.”

active competition team 2 mentions

“Moreover, the scheduling is flexible, catering to various availability needs, and includes open mat and competition sessions.”

🎖️ legit lineage & affiliation 20 mentions

“I’ve been training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu on and off for about 20 years, and I’ve been at Gracie Barra Newtown for over two years now.”

From the reviews

Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has been one of the best decisions for my 7-year-old son and 9-year-old daughter. In just a few months, they’ve gained not only valuable skills but also discipline, respect, and confidence—all while having a blast.

★★★★★ — Ann, Mar 2025

So we signed up for their free try out day just to see if my kids like it, not knowing what to expect, I have a 9 yr old girl and a 7 yr old boy. They both instantly loved it! The Professors and Coaches are amazing, and the kids are very friendly. This is exactly what the kids need.

★★★★★ — Kristine, Jun 2024

This is a top tier bjj school. You are getting the best jiu jitsu instruction directly from Ricardo Almeida's black belts. Professor John, professor Eduardo, professor Eli, professor Tim, professor Rob, coach Mike, coach Boris, and every student I met here training for two years are exceptionally technical, very…

★★★★★ — Denis, Jan 2026

My 3 year old is usually shy and not very interested in team activities. He prefers doing things on his own or at his own pace. We haven’t found much that keeps his attention and focus for longer than 10 min. At Gracie Barra, they welcomed him in and even had a student helper guide him through some of the exercises!

★★★★★ — Alisha, Jun 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 154 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Gracie Barra Newtown Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Self Defense

Gracie Barra Newtown Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and 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.

See their beginner class info

Your first BJJ class at Gracie Barra Newtown Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and 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.

BJJ is a contact sport. Ease in, tap early and often, listen to your coaches, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find Gracie Barra Newtown Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Self Defense

105 Terry Dr Ste 117, Newtown, PA18940

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this gym? Claim your listing — it's free.