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Gracie Barra Princeton Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Self Defense
5 ★★★★★ 140 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Lawrenceville, New Jersey
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
- 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
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule gbprinceton.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 609-622-5116
Hours
| Monday | 4–9 pm |
| Tuesday | 12–10 pm |
| Wednesday | 4–9 pm |
| Thursday | 12–10 pm |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 9 am–12 pm |
| Sunday | 9:30–11:30 am |
The classes they run
“Since April, it has been an absolute pleasure having my son attend Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu Jitsu School in Lawrenceville, NJ.”
“The kids are learning self-defense as well as good life lessons which is how they close each session.”
“A friendly and welcoming atmosphere, everyone was very accommodating despite me being brand new to jiu jitsu.”
Other martial arts here
What members say
“Welcoming atmosphere and great instruction where even more advanced techniques were broken down into more digestible steps to make learning easy.”
“Welcoming atmosphere and great instruction where even more advanced techniques were broken down into more digestible steps to make learning easy.”
“Lisa was amazing and everyone at the class was very welcoming and the environment is overall very welcoming and it seems like they’ve built an awesome community at Gracie Barra.”
“Welcoming atmosphere and great instruction where even more advanced techniques were broken down into more digestible steps to make learning easy.”
“Lisa was amazing and everyone at the class was very welcoming and the environment is overall very welcoming and it seems like they’ve built an awesome community at Gracie Barra.”
“Moreover the structure and class content gains my son’s attention and focus, assuring he's engaged in the sport.”
From the reviews
Since April, it has been an absolute pleasure having my son attend Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu Jitsu School in Lawrenceville, NJ. Namely due to the fact that the staff (Professor Turtle, Coach Sarah, Coach Matt, Parker, Owden and Julie), take great effort in training my son; he is easily distracted and I give credit to…
Just recently had my first class. I went to the all woman’s class. Lisa was amazing and everyone at the class was very welcoming and the environment is overall very welcoming and it seems like they’ve built an awesome community at Gracie Barra.
I first visited as part of an offer for free trial classes for two weeks. I got a membership after my very first class. As someone with absolutely no knowledge of BJJ, I was unsure what the environment at Gracia Barra Princeton would be like or what I should expect.
I highly recommend this is a training site for BJJ. I trained with them for a month FREE since they had a promotion. As far as the environment: yes it is male dominated but they are all very respectful and humble guys.
New to BJJ? Start at Gracie Barra Princeton Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Self Defense
Gracie Barra Princeton 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.
Your first BJJ class at Gracie Barra Princeton 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.
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