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Gracie Barra Shrewsbury
5 ★★★★★ 29 Google reviews · BJJ gym in St. Louis, Missouri
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
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule gbshrewsbury.us — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (636) 734-5617
Hours
| Monday | 11:30 AM–1:30 PM, 4–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 4–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 11:30 AM–1:30 PM, 4–9 PM |
| Thursday | 4–9 PM |
| Friday | 11:30 AM–1:30 PM, 4–8 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM–2 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“I chose Gracie Barra for my kids’ classes and was really impressed to learn that Joey has years of experience teaching children of all ages and skill levels.”
“Whether you’re looking to learn self-defense, compete in sport jiu-jitsu, or just get in a great workout, this is a great place to train.”
“Whether you’re looking to learn self-defense, compete in sport jiu-jitsu, or just get in a great workout, this is a great place to train.”
Other martial arts here
What members say
“Professor Greg is very knowledgeable and great at breaking things down to help students better understand what to do.”
“The gym has a very welcoming atmosphere, and the instructors have clearly worked hard to create a safe, fun, and supportive environment for everyone who trains there.”
“The gym has a very welcoming atmosphere, and the instructors have clearly worked hard to create a safe, fun, and supportive environment for everyone who trains there.”
“Myself and 2 sons have learned alot training with him, his attention to detail when explaining technical aspects of the art are world class.”
“Greg and his son Joey are great with kids.”
“I chose Gracie Barra for my kids’ classes and was really impressed to learn that Joey has years of experience teaching children of all ages and skill levels.”
From the reviews
These guys are great! I have nothing but good things today about them. Joey has been my coach for over two years and he has helped me consistently get better. Professor Greg is very knowledgeable and great at breaking things down to help students better understand what to do.
Joey and Greg are a dynamic duo! nothing beats the coordination between a father and son that share a dream, Joey has a presence that makes it easy to feel welcome, and Greg is a highly skilled black belt with very easily digested instruction!
As a black belt school owner myself who has trained for years with the instructors here, I can say, without a doubt, that they are qualified and will provide an amazing experience for you and/or your child!
Coach Joey is a great guy. Myself and 2 sons have learned alot training with him, his attention to detail when explaining technical aspects of the art are world class.
New to BJJ? Start at Gracie Barra Shrewsbury
Gracie Barra Shrewsbury 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 Shrewsbury
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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