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Gracie Barra Orem Jiu Jitsu & Self Defense

4.9 ★★★★★ 117 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Orem, Utah

Part of Gracie Barra

BJJ gym Free trial Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens 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
  • Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule graciebarraorem.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (801) 821-2447

Hours

Monday 6:30–7:30 AM, 4–8 PM
Tuesday 6:30–7:30 AM, 5–8 PM
Wednesday 6:30–7:30 AM, 4–8 PM
Thursday 6:30–7:30 AM, 5–8 PM
Friday 6:30–7:30 AM
Saturday 9 AM–12 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 Orem Jiu Jitsu & Self Defense, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 18 mentions

“As a fifty-year-old man starting a new journey with my kids, Gracie Barra Jiu Jitsu has been a transformative experience for us.”

All gyms that run kids bjj →

🏆 Competition Team

“Choosing not to compete doesn’t make you feel any less valued than those who do.”

All gyms that run competition team →

🛡️ Self-Defense 4 mentions

“I always look forward to coming to classes knowing I'm going to have fun, get some great exercise, learn practical self defense, and spend time with great people.”

All gyms that run self-defense →

🌱 Beginners 8 mentions

“They’re not only highly skilled in Jiu Jitsu, but also excellent teachers — patient, supportive, and able to work with students of all levels.”

All gyms that run beginners →

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 117 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 4 mentions

“Professor Zuza is the best professor, specifically with kids, I have seen.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 12 mentions

“Everything is super organized, and it’s clear that the team takes a lot of pride in creating a welcoming and professional environment.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 19 mentions

“Everything is super organized, and it’s clear that the team takes a lot of pride in creating a welcoming and professional environment.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 6 mentions

“His attention to detail with each kid, knowing their skill level, what they need extra help on, who needs more competitive training, etc.”

great workout & conditioning 4 mentions

“I always look forward to coming to classes knowing I'm going to have fun, get some great exercise, learn practical self defense, and spend time with great people.”

🧒 strong kids program 2 mentions

“My kids love the classes, and it provides so much for discipline and confidence.”

From the reviews

I highly recommend GB Orem! Professor Zuza and his staff are friendly and professional. They do an amazing job helping all skill levels feel welcome and pushing everyone to learn and grow.

★★★★★ — Andrew, Feb 2025

My kids have been training here for almost 2 years after trying a couple of other local gyms. Professor Zuza is the best professor, specifically with kids, I have seen. His attention to detail with each kid, knowing their skill level, what they need extra help on, who needs more competitive training, etc.

★★★★★ — Ozzy, Apr 2025

Gracie barra Orem is a great school. I visited from Denver, professor Relter ran a great class. He’s a great instructor and I loved his classes. It’s very easy to see he cares about the sense of community in his school and I would recommend to anyone in the area to get a membership at this school.

★★★★★ — Alex, Aug 2025

My children love their self defense training. Each class gives them almost an hour of jiujitsu. The coaches and professors are great teachers of the art. I am glad Gracie Barra exists in our community.

★★★★★ — Leslie, Mar 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 117 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Gracie Barra Orem Jiu Jitsu & Self Defense

Gracie Barra Orem Jiu Jitsu & Self Defense 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.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first BJJ class at Gracie Barra Orem 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 Orem Jiu Jitsu & Self Defense

64 State St, Orem, UT84058

Get directions

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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.