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Gracie Barra Northeast Seattle Jiu Jitsu & Self Defense
5 ★★★★★ 102 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Seattle, Washington
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
- 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
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule graciebarranortheastseattle.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 206-202-4550
Hours
| Monday | 9 am–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 9 am–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 9 am–8 pm |
| Thursday | 9 am–8 pm |
| Friday | 9 am–8 pm |
| Saturday | 9 am–8 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“I have been very impressed with the instructors and owner as they have been very centered around developing the children's ability while making this a fun and engaging experience.”
“Everyone is so friendly and, as a woman, I know it can be intimidating to start martial arts.”
“The one on one practice he gets with his peers creates unique connections between him and his classmates that I have not seen him develop anywhere else.”
“It's the perfect space for both serious practitioners and beginners to learn and refine techniques with a strong sense of discipline.”
Other martial arts here
What members say
“Extremely knowledgeable coaching staff who love all of their students, and it shows!”
“Brought my grandson in today for his first class not only did he have an amazing time but all the students and instructors were very patient and great while working with him.”
“Professor Joel Townsend was awesome; super inviting, knowledgeable, helpful with details and even shared some fun and friendly knowledge/history about my home academy (Paragon).”
“Professor Joel Townsend was awesome; super inviting, knowledgeable, helpful with details and even shared some fun and friendly knowledge/history about my home academy (Paragon).”
“The training is a great work out; I've lost 6 inches off my waist and I'm feeling like I'm in the best shape of my life.”
“Amazing kids program that has my son excited for the next class.”
From the reviews
My 8 y/o has been training here for a few months and has had a very positive experience thus far. He has been much more confident in his mind and body and the regular instruction he receives three days a week contributes highly to regulation and focus.
I have been to a couple Gracie Barra locations due to my home being in Everett and my university being in Seattle, I can hands down confidently say that this location has the most welcoming and beginner-friendly community. The professor, Joel, is extremely patient and personable to each and every one of his students.
I've been a part of this gym for a year now, and it's been an amazing experience. The gym has a friendly atmosphere with supportive members and very skilled instructors. Classes are suitable for all skill levels, and the well-maintained facility makes it a comfortable place to train.
I've been training here for over 8 months. The professors are extremely good and the regular students are extremely dedicated. Everyone is very professional, they all genuinely care for each other. Class sizes are small enough that you get a lot of individualized training and feedback.
New to BJJ? Start at Gracie Barra Northeast Seattle Jiu Jitsu & Self Defense
Gracie Barra Northeast Seattle 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.
Your first BJJ class at Gracie Barra Northeast Seattle 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.
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