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GRACIE BARRA NORTH CHARLESTON Jiu-Jitsu & Self-Defense

5 ★★★★★ 53 Google reviews · BJJ gym in North Charleston, South Carolina

Part of Gracie Barra

BJJ gym Free trial Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons No-gi 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 (ages 10–14) — 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
  • Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule gbnorthcharleston.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 843-330-0670

Hours

Monday 6:20–8 am, 11:30 am–1:30 pm, 4–9 pm
Tuesday 4–9 pm
Wednesday 6:20–8 am, 11:30 am–1:30 pm, 4–9 pm
Thursday 4–9 pm
Friday 11:30 am–1:30 pm, 6–7:30 pm
Saturday 8 am–1:30 pm
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 NORTH CHARLESTON Jiu-Jitsu & Self-Defense, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 10 mentions

“From kids to adults, white belt to black belt, this is a family friendly environment that prioritizes safety and clean training facilities.”

All gyms that run kids bjj →

💪 Women's BJJ

“A big shoutout to GBF - all women's classes!”

All gyms that run women's bjj →

🛡️ Self-Defense 3 mentions

“This a great place to learn jiu jitsu and self defense!”

All gyms that run self-defense →

🌱 Beginners 3 mentions

“The professors are outstanding and the environment is super welcoming, you feel comfortable training here whether you’re a complete beginner or a higher belt.”

All gyms that run beginners →

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 53 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 4 mentions

“Gracie Barra North Charleston is an outstanding academy with world-class instruction!”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 10 mentions

“Whether you’re looking to improve your fitness, develop discipline, or make great friends, our school provides a welcoming and family-friendly environment for all.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 24 mentions

“The professors are outstanding and the environment is super welcoming, you feel comfortable training here whether you’re a complete beginner or a higher belt.”

🎖️ legit lineage & affiliation 12 mentions

“They also have a nice coffee station, full bathrooms, and a small display with Gracie Barra products to buy and take home.”

🧼 clean, well-kept mats 5 mentions

“From kids to adults, white belt to black belt, this is a family friendly environment that prioritizes safety and clean training facilities.”

🧠 builds confidence & discipline 5 mentions

“They give both adults and children the confidence to keep showing up and practicing, which is the hardest part of Jiu-Jitsu.”

From the reviews

Gracie Barra North Charleston is an outstanding academy with world-class instruction! Professor Rodrigo and Professor Nika are highly skilled and experienced, providing top-tier technical knowledge and a welcoming atmosphere for all students. Their dedication to jiu-jitsu and teaching excellence is truly inspiring.

★★★★★ — Thomas, Mar 2025

Looking for an amazing place to learn Jiu-Jitsu in North Charleston? Gracie Barra North Charleston is the perfect Jiu-Jitsu school for everyone—kids, adults, and families—who want to learn self-defense, build confidence, and be part of a supportive community.

★★★★★ — Rodrigo, Mar 2025

What wonderful news! Having a branch of our school in North Charleston, especially under the leadership of Professors Nika and Rodrigo, is truly a reason for great joy and pride. It will certainly be a great success, bringing knowledge and transformation to even more people.

★★★★★ — Letícia, Mar 2025

This is one of best Brazilian Jiu Jitsu schools in the Low Country for all levels of practitioners! The professors are battle tested Brazilian, European, and World Champions who know how to communicate and advance your game.

★★★★★ — Jason, Jun 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 53 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at GRACIE BARRA NORTH CHARLESTON Jiu-Jitsu & Self-Defense

GRACIE BARRA NORTH CHARLESTON 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.

See their beginner class info

Your first BJJ class at GRACIE BARRA NORTH CHARLESTON 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.

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 NORTH CHARLESTON Jiu-Jitsu & Self-Defense

5660 Rivers Ave Ste K, North Charleston, SC29406

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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.