HomeIdahoBoise › Gracie Barra South Boise Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Self-Defense

Gracie Barra South Boise Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Self-Defense

5 ★★★★★ 36 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Boise, Idaho

Part of Gracie Barra

BJJ gym Free trial Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens

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
  • Open mat open-mat rolling sessions for members to practice live — always optional and at your own pace
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule gbsouthboise.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 208-579-2417

Hours

Monday 6–7:30 AM, 4:30–8:30 PM
Tuesday 4:30–8:30 PM
Wednesday 6–7:30 AM, 4:30–8:30 PM
Thursday 4:30–8:30 PM
Friday 4:30–7:30 PM
Saturday 10–11 AM
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 South Boise Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Self-Defense, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 22 mentions

“Highly recommended joining this Gracie Barra JiuJitsu gym, & their kids class is perfect to help them learn how to fold clothes with the person still in them.”

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🔓 Open Mat 2 mentions

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🛡️ Self-Defense

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🌱 Beginners 2 mentions

“Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced practitioner, this studio provides top-notch training.”

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

🥊 Muay Thai 4 mentions

“Also Frisco is the Muay Thai instructor and he is a great teacher as well with tons of experience and knowledge.”

Other gyms that also teach muay thai →

🏟️ MMA

“My only regret is not getting into MMA when I was younger.”

Other gyms that also teach mma →

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 36 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 5 mentions

“Also Frisco is the Muay Thai instructor and he is a great teacher as well with tons of experience and knowledge.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 6 mentions

“Extremely welcoming atmosphere, classes are challenging but enjoyable and fun, and the quality of instruction is great.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 9 mentions

“You can tell how much he loves his craft and cares deeply about the people around him, including his family, which he speaks about with pride and devotion.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 2 mentions

“Professors, coaches, and staff do a great job explaining and breakdown techniques that will help you in your journey.”

🧒 strong kids program 3 mentions
🎖️ legit lineage & affiliation 6 mentions

“Highly recommended joining this Gracie Barra JiuJitsu gym, & their kids class is perfect to help them learn how to fold clothes with the person still in them.”

From the reviews

The environment at Gracie Barra South Boise is amazing everyone is extremely friendly. Not to mention that everything is so clean and inviting! Professor Matos and Coach Mike have such a deep passion for Jiu-Jitsu and spreading the knowledge that it's contagious and radiates throughout the gym.

★★★★★ — Donny, Dec 2021

Great training. The class instruction was on point. Clean mats and bathrooms. If you want a great atmosphere and great place to train in Boise. This is the place to be.

★★★★★ — Otavio, Feb 2025

At the end of 2021 we made the decision to enroll our son with the hopes that he would overcome a lot of his own insecurities, and fears. I knew it would take a lot of work from us as parents to keep encouraging our very shy and timid son to keep on going, and really trying to learn the art.

★★★★★ — Ogbasker, Jun 2024

Gracie Barra South has been excellent for my son. He is shy and is hesitant to start anything new, but was really hesitant to start Jiu-Jitsu. We did a trial and the staff and students all welcomed him in warmly.

★★★★★ — Finia, Dec 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 36 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Gracie Barra South Boise Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Self-Defense

Gracie Barra South Boise 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.

See their beginner class info

Your first BJJ class at Gracie Barra South Boise 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.

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 South Boise Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Self-Defense

8958 W Ardene St, Boise, ID83709

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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.