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GRACIE DURHAM
4.9 ★★★★★ 46 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Durham, North Carolina
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 (ages 3–12) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- Women's classes dedicated women's BJJ classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
- No-gi no-gi grappling classes — training in a rashguard and shorts, with faster scrambles and a natural bridge to MMA
- Website & schedule graciejiujitsudurham.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (919) 964-5777
The classes they run
“We started our kids here a few months ago and have nothing but great things to say about Gracie Durham and especially the owner, Sunny.”
“I take the Women's Self Defense class too and my confidence has gone up!”
“I highly recommend this safety oriented, welcoming, beginner friendly, and high quality instruction.”
Other martial arts here
What members say
“Great instructors with lots of tips, feedback and supervision to help you progress and learn at your own pace.”
“I highly recommend this safety oriented, welcoming, beginner friendly, and high quality instruction.”
“If you are looking for a collegial, supportive environment to start or continue your journey with BJJ, you couldn't do better.”
“He and his staff have such a wonderful way with kids it has been a delight to watch them have such fun while learning the basics of Jiu Jitsu.”
“We started our kids here a few months ago and have nothing but great things to say about Gracie Durham and especially the owner, Sunny.”
“There is something for everyone: kids and adults, women and men, experienced martial artists and never-evers.”
From the reviews
I absolutely love coming to Jiu Jitsu class. Sunny is extremely welcoming as well as the students. They really encourage learning and make space for questions. New students do not roll or spar for a while. The focus of the Combatives class is to practice the move and learn why it works.
When I think of Jiu Jitsu, Gracie Durham is what pops in my mind. There is a major focus on execution of the techniques, the theory behind it, the ideas that transcend what is being taught. It is a very approachable school, and the curriculum is Gracie. Very solid school! Sunny runs a phenomenal class.
A safe place to train, not just to defend yourself, but also to be a better person. The women empowered program at Gracie is a great place to build confidence and friendships. The mentors for both the combatives and the WE program have been nothing but supportive at every step
Gracie Durham is an absolutely fantastic place to learn and train. I've been training here since late 2021 and can't say enough positive things about Sunny, the other instructors, and the other people I've met at Gracie Durham.
New to BJJ? Start at GRACIE DURHAM
GRACIE DURHAM 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 DURHAM
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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