Home › Connecticut › Canton › Gracie Farmington Valley
Gracie Farmington Valley
5 ★★★★★ 68 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Canton, Connecticut
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
- Women's classes dedicated women's BJJ classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule graciefarmingtonvalley.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (860) 800-6651
Hours
| Monday | 4:30–10 PM |
| Tuesday | 4:30–10 PM |
| Wednesday | 4:30–10 PM |
| Thursday | 4:30–10 PM |
| Friday | 4:30–10 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM–2 PM |
| Sunday | 10 AM–2 PM |
The classes they run
“It’s both family friendly and competition oriented, with lots of classes for everyone, including kids classes, women’s classes, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and other disciplines.”
“It’s both family friendly and competition oriented, with lots of classes for everyone, including kids classes, women’s classes, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and other disciplines.”
“Whether you’re here to learn, compete, or just challenge yourself, GFV is the place to be.”
“Joseph lead them in a self-defense session, and my daughter loved it!”
“The other coaches are also excellent and provide instruction that is suitable for all skill levels and experience.”
Other martial arts here
“Over the years, I’ve not only improved my own skills, but I’ve also had the privilege of becoming one of the coaches, teaching judo alongside Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.”
What members say
“Coach Joseph has this amazing ability to connect with the kids, treating them with respect and kindness while still maintaining a sense of discipline and authority in class.”
“Gracie Farmington Valley is an outstanding academy with exceptional coaches who create a welcoming, supportive, and highly effective training environment.”
“He is incredibly friendly and has a unique talent for getting and keeping the kids' attention, correcting them in a fun, positive way when they lose focus without ever being harsh.”
“Everyone was very helpful and patient, and the amount of attention to detail allowed me to grasp the techniques being taught in a meaningful way.”
“Joseph lead them in a self-defense session, and my daughter loved it!”
“It’s both family friendly and competition oriented, with lots of classes for everyone, including kids classes, women’s classes, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and other disciplines.”
From the reviews
I was allowed to come visit, as a guest for vacation for the week, and absolutely loved everything about this gym. From the second I set foot in the door, I felt like one of their own, and it became very clear, very quickly, that they have a top-notch team of instructors and students.
I’ve been a member of Gracie Farmington Valley since 2012, and I can honestly say it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Over the years, the school has consistently provided high-quality Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instruction in a welcoming and supportive environment.
Our family cannot say enough about this program. Our boys look forward to it every week. We love how there isn’t a “jiu-jitsu season”- it’s a constant in their lives. The difference from day one to now is remarkable. Our boys have gained confidence and discipline, while having fun.
Absolutely amazing place to learn Jiu-Jitsu, especially for kids. Coach Joseph is amazing with kids, he really knows what he is doing. He is a friendly, understanding guy that has extreme patience with little kids.
New to BJJ? Start at Gracie Farmington Valley
Gracie Farmington Valley 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 Farmington Valley
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.
More BJJ gyms near Canton
Jukido Jujutsu Dojo
5 ★★★★★ 7 reviews
Plus One Defense Systems
4.9 ★★★★★ 189 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site