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Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Council Bluffs
5 ★★★★★ 106 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Council Bluffs, Iowa
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 (ages 3–12) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- No-gi no-gi grappling classes — training in a rashguard and shorts, with faster scrambles and a natural bridge to MMA
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule graciecb.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (712) 355-5703
Hours
| Monday | 9 AM–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 9 AM–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 9 AM–9 PM |
| Thursday | 9 AM–9 PM |
| Friday | 3–8 PM |
| Saturday | 8 AM–12 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“Coach Bob is very knowledgeable and does a great job breaking the fundamentals down to an introductory level for the young kids.”
“Gracie Jiu Jitsu has been an amazing place for my kids to learn restraint, how to defend themselves, and just exercising in a fun way.”
“When they introduced women’s self-defense (Women's Empowerment), my daughter Sylvia and I joined as well—and it has quickly become something we genuinely look forward to each week.”
“They explain techniques clearly and provide helpful feedback, ensuring that students of all levels can grasp the concepts.”
Other martial arts here
What members say
“Great people and the instructor Bob was amazing at breaking each exercise step by step, plus he was there able to coach if adjustments needed to be made”
“They explain techniques clearly and provide helpful feedback, ensuring that students of all levels can grasp the concepts.”
“The instructors are always supportive and offer encouragement and corrections in a kind way, always leaving my kids enjoying their time there.”
“Coach Bob is very knowledgeable and does a great job breaking the fundamentals down to an introductory level for the young kids.”
“My kids LOVE it here and so do we!”
“Gracie Jiu Jitsu has been an amazing place for my kids to learn restraint, how to defend themselves, and just exercising in a fun way.”
From the reviews
Over a year ago, we enrolled my son, Axl, at Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Council Bluffs after he experienced a bullying situation. We were hoping to help him build confidence and feel empowered again—and this school has done exactly that and more.
Not long after enrolling my 13 year old son in jiu-jitsu at Gracie-Council Bluffs, I asked Coach Bob if he would consider moving him from the junior class to the adult class in an effort to keep him engaged. I also wanted him to learn how to grapple with adults who could teach him proper technique and discipline.
This gym has been fantastic, both for myself (a 46 y/o martial artist) and for my kids (2 boys and one girl!). The entire family loves it! The coaches are extremely knowledgeable and are absolutely, 100% able to execute and teach the Gracie techniques.
I've had a wonderful experience training at this Jiu-Jitsu school! Bob and Joe are incredibly knowledgeable instructors who possess a remarkable teaching style. They explain techniques clearly and provide helpful feedback, ensuring that students of all levels can grasp the concepts.
New to BJJ? Start at Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Council Bluffs
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Council Bluffs 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 Jiu-Jitsu Council Bluffs
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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