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Gracie Barra Springfield
4.7 ★★★★★ 31 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Springfield, Illinois
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
- Open mat open-mat rolling sessions for members to practice live — always optional and at your own pace
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule graciebarra.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (217) 220-5885
Hours
| Monday | 12–1 PM, 4:30–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 12–1 PM, 4:30–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 12–1 PM, 4:30–8 PM |
| Thursday | 12–1 PM, 4:30–8 PM |
| Friday | 4:30–7 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM–11 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“My children and I have been coming to Gracie Barra for over 2 years now, and have nothing but great things to say about the people, and facilities.”
“I highly recommend Gracie Barra to anyone looking to learn, train, and compete in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu!”
“Not only kids can learn some self-defense techniques but also respect and disciplines.”
“I was a total beginner and everyone was super kind to me.”
Other martial arts here
What members say
“I’ve known Billy and his team for a few years and at every competition he is a great coach and represents a good team and gym.”
“Everybody is great and they are very welcoming and patient.”
“Yes there are other places in the area and by all means not saying gb is better or worse but what I will say about gb is it really is a family environment.”
“Every professor here has no issues answering questions breaking down techniques or explaining something specifically.”
“I’ve known Billy and his team for a few years and at every competition he is a great coach and represents a good team and gym.”
“My children and I have been coming to Gracie Barra for over 2 years now, and have nothing but great things to say about the people, and facilities.”
From the reviews
I absolutely enjoy it, great instructors and everyone is so helpful. There's no "keeper of the knowledge" attitude here, we all get better together.
My daughter has been coming to Gracie Barra BJJ kid class for 10 months and she really loves it. BJJ is becoming a routine for us. Coaches are very professional and patient with kids. It's a good sports for kids. Not only kids can learn some self-defense techniques but also respect and disciplines.
This is a great place to learn the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu! The instructors are friendly and knowledgeable, and they care about their students. I particularly enjoyed classes with Professor Roger Smith who is an excellent teacher! The facility is always clean, and the students are all very supportive.
My children and I have been coming to Gracie Barra for over 2 years now, and have nothing but great things to say about the people, and facilities. When you join this academy you are treated like family. The vibe felt when you walk through the doors is what drew me in from the start.
New to BJJ? Start at Gracie Barra Springfield
Gracie Barra Springfield 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 Springfield
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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