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Gracie Humaitá Columbia Brazilian Jiujitsu
4.9 ★★★★★ 90 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Columbia, Missouri
Part of Gracie Humaitá
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
- 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 graciehumaitacolumbia.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (573) 554-6601
Hours
| Monday | 10:30 AM–12 PM, 5:30–8:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 10:30 AM–12 PM, 5–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 10:30 AM–12 PM, 5:30–8:30 PM |
| Thursday | 10:30 AM–12 PM, 2–3:15 PM, 5–8 PM |
| Friday | 10:30 AM–12 PM |
| Saturday | 9–11:30 AM |
| Sunday | 2:15–3:45 PM |
The classes they run
“Both my sons train at Gracie Humaita Columbia, one in the mini champs class and the other, in little champs and the team competition class.”
“Shawn and the other instructors here are all wonderful teachers, and they do a great job of catering to all levels, competitors and non-competitors alike.”
“If you want a great workout, learn self-defense, compete, or just a boost for your child's confidence, this is the place to be.”
“Shawn and the other instructors here are all wonderful teachers, and they do a great job of catering to all levels, competitors and non-competitors alike.”
What members say
“This academy has helped me grow in so many different ways and has truly become my second home, filled with a supportive, hard-working team that feels like family.”
“I have also had both my son and daughter try it out and the confidence they gained from the school was priceless.”
“Shawn and the other instructors here are all wonderful teachers, and they do a great job of catering to all levels, competitors and non-competitors alike.”
“I’d recommend any parent that is looking for an activity that will fill their little ones with confidence and increase their self esteem to enroll them at Gracie Humaita.”
“Super great coaching, super clean facility, and the fellow students are kind and move very well, and can push the pace for sure!”
“Their technical instruction and leadership have helped me achieve a level of physical health and mental focus I didn’t think was possible.”
From the reviews
Shawn Woods and his instructors are top notch. It is the nicest facility I have ever seen. Our mat space is huge and we have a plethora of class options. Our environment is unlike any other. The other classmates will welcome you warmly and get acquainted to class and the mats.
Great community, great gym. Regardless if you want to be a full time competitor or just want to get in shape, this is the gym for you. Shawn Woods and his team of instructors are some of the best people you will ever come in contact with. Cannot recommend this gym enough and so glad I started there seven years ago.
I have been training here for over ten years and have gone from white belt to black belt under Professor Shawn Woods. I am so glad I joined the Gracie Humaita family, it's such a great community of people that want to improve themselves and their skills, and also help each other accomplish the same.
My son (college age) trains at Gracie Humaitá and loves it. He was recently up for a belt promotion. Coach Shawn was very gracious and coordinated it so I could come into town and see him tie the hard earned blue belt around my son’s waist.
New to BJJ? Start at Gracie Humaitá Columbia Brazilian Jiujitsu
Gracie Humaitá Columbia Brazilian Jiujitsu 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 Humaitá Columbia Brazilian Jiujitsu
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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