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Gracie Barra Northridge Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Self Defense

4.9 ★★★★★ 128 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Northridge, California

Part of Gracie Barra

BJJ gym Free trial Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens 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.

All levels of ability can learn jiu jitsu, Muay Thai or fitness at this mixed-level training gym.

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
  • Membership memberships run around $50/mo — many academies also offer a discounted first month and family plans, so ask about new-member rates
  • 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 4–15) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Women's classes dedicated women's BJJ classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
  • 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 gbnorthridge.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (818) 357-4074

Hours

Monday 12–9:15 PM
Tuesday 12–9:15 PM
Wednesday 12–9:15 PM
Thursday 12–9:15 PM
Friday 12–6 PM
Saturday 9 AM–2:30 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 Northridge Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Self Defense, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 36 mentions

“One of my sons is a competitive tournament golfer, and jiu-jitsu has played a huge role in building his confidence, focus, and mental toughness.”

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Teens BJJ

“Professors are very nice, a teen class about 1 hour, 3 to 4 Professors are watching and coaching everyone, literally everyone.”

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🥋 Gi 2 mentions

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🏆 Competition Team 6 mentions

“One of my sons is a competitive tournament golfer, and jiu-jitsu has played a huge role in building his confidence, focus, and mental toughness.”

All gyms that run competition team →

🛡️ Self-Defense 7 mentions

“The kids program teaches kids life’s essential values while learning an awesome & effective self-defense.”

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🌱 Beginners 3 mentions

“The welcoming and supportive environment makes it easy for beginners to feel comfortable and motivated.”

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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 Northridge Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Self Defense — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🎽 Karate 2 mentions

“My son started at age 9 and loves it here, we come from another Karate dojo that had a decent kid’s program, but the pay structure was ridiculous.”

Other gyms that also teach karate →

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 128 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 5 mentions

“Professor Romulo is world class and he is very engaged with the training, walking around and making sure the students are doing the drills and techniques properly.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 6 mentions

“The welcoming and supportive environment makes it easy for beginners to feel comfortable and motivated.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 10 mentions

“If you’re looking for a place to enable discipline, respect, & challenge for your child while in a friendly environment, there’s no place better.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 2 mentions

“Professor Romulo is world class and he is very engaged with the training, walking around and making sure the students are doing the drills and techniques properly.”

🧒 strong kids program 12 mentions

“My son started at age 9 and loves it here, we come from another Karate dojo that had a decent kid’s program, but the pay structure was ridiculous.”

active competition team 7 mentions

“One of my sons is a competitive tournament golfer, and jiu-jitsu has played a huge role in building his confidence, focus, and mental toughness.”

From the reviews

I love Gracie Barra .They truly care for your child’s development around self defense. In todays world bullying is everywhere and you need to protect your child from it. Gracie Barra is the place to prepare your child to learn self defense and interpersonal skills.

★★★★★ — Luis, Jul 2021

I found this place through internet and is becoming my Second home, bjj is changing my life , I recommend to all of you guys! excellent professors, High quality of Jiu Jitsu!

★★★★★ — Isaac, Oct 2021

Gracie Barra is a great place to train at! If you have kids, have them try a class, you won’t regret it. My son started at age 9 and loves it here, we come from another Karate dojo that had a decent kid’s program, but the pay structure was ridiculous.

★★★★★ — Chris, Sep 2021

Gracie Barra Northridge is the best Brazilian Jiu Jitsu academy regardless of your experience level! If you’re just starting out, Professor Romulo & the other instructors will take great care in progressing you through the ranks.

★★★★★ — Aj, Aug 2018

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 128 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Gracie Barra Northridge Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Self Defense

Gracie Barra Northridge Brazilian 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 Northridge Brazilian 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 Northridge Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Self Defense

19520 Nordhoff St #10, Northridge, CA91324

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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.