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Gracie Barra South Miami

5 ★★★★★ 80 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Miami, Florida

Part of Gracie Barra

BJJ gym 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

  • 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 gbsouthmiami.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (786) 618-8693

Hours

Monday 6–8 AM, 2–8 PM
Tuesday 6–8 AM, 2–8 PM
Wednesday 6–8 AM, 2–8 PM
Thursday 6–8 AM, 2–8 PM
Friday 6–8 AM, 2–8 PM
Saturday 9:30–11 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 Miami, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 34 mentions

“The professors and staff are knowledgeable, caring towards the children and are building their self esteem and confidence while having fun.”

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🏆 Competition Team

“A fun, family oriented place where kids can learn and compete.”

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🛡️ Self-Defense

“I highly recommend Gracie Barra to any parent looking for a great activity that combines fitness, self-defense, and character development.”

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What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 80 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 6 mentions

“The first person I met was “profe” Juan (an incredible instructor)who greeted me with a welcoming smile.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 10 mentions

“Another big plus: both the instructor and the receptionist speak English, Portuguese, and Spanish, which makes communication easy and welcoming for everyone.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 23 mentions

“The environment is welcoming and family-friendly, with a great balance between challenging the students and making it fun for them.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 6 mentions

“The classes are well-structured, focusing not just on technique, but also on discipline, respect, and confidence—qualities I’ve seen my son develop immensely since starting here.”

🧒 strong kids program 5 mentions

“Most importantly, we’ve noticed such a positive change in our kids’ demeanor and attitude. They are more confident, respectful, focused, and resilient.”

🎖️ legit lineage & affiliation 14 mentions

“My son Jacob has experienced remarkable growth and development since he began his journey at Gracie Barra.”

From the reviews

Been training martial arts for 40 years, and grappling for almost 6 years. Had the opportunity to meet professor Gus and his family last year and all I can say is I’m in good hands. One of the most humble guys I’ve ever met during this journey. Very dedicated, excellent friend, great Proffessor, knowledgeable coach.

★★★★★ — Michael, Oct 2022

I am very pleased to be part of GBSM. I decided to commute 35 min when in fact I have a Jujitsu dojo 10 minutes away from my home. I love the staff, the community and the professors. They are all very polite and professionals.

★★★★★ — Jorge, Jan 2024

From the day I walked in I could tell this gym was different the energy was positive and genuine. The first person I met was “profe” Juan (an incredible instructor)who greeted me with a welcoming smile. He was confident kind and encouraging.

★★★★★ — Victor, May 2025

This academy has truly been a blessing for our family. My son started training here, and from the very first day we felt welcomed like we were part of something special. The atmosphere is so positive and family-oriented that I couldn’t resist joining too.

★★★★★ — J, Aug 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 80 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Gracie Barra South Miami

Gracie Barra South Miami 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 Miami

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 Miami

15766 SW 56th St, Miami, FL33185

Get directions Instagram

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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.