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Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Indianapolis

5 ★★★★★ 12 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Indianapolis, Indiana

BJJ gym Free trial Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons

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
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule gracienorthindy.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 463-206-6843

Hours

Monday Closed
Tuesday 12–2 pm, 5:30–9 pm
Wednesday 5:30–9 pm
Thursday 12–2 pm, 5:30–9 pm
Friday 5:30–7:30 pm
Saturday 10 am–1:30 pm
Sunday Closed

Hours shift for holidays, seminars, and open-gym times — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

BJJ classes on the schedule at Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Indianapolis, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 5 mentions

“James is a fantastic instructor who ran excellent, fun-filled and age appropriate classes for children.”

All gyms that run kids bjj →

🛡️ Self-Defense 7 mentions

“Whether you are looking for the best self-defense program, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, or curious about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in general, this is the place to be!”

All gyms that run self-defense →

🌱 Beginners 4 mentions

“Coach James is excellent for beginners, intermediate, and advanced students alike.”

All gyms that run beginners →

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 12 Google reviews — in their own words.

🌱 welcoming to beginners 6 mentions

“Coach James is excellent for beginners, intermediate, and advanced students alike.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 10 mentions

“Everyone is also incredibly friendly and inviting making it a place that I look forward to going to every chance that I get.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 4 mentions

“The techniques are presented at a good pace to learn and practice multiple times.”

🎖️ legit lineage & affiliation 11 mentions

“As a former Green Beret, I can honestly say that James' instruction and the program outline at Gracie Jiu Jitsu Indianapolis is some of the best that I have experienced.”

🧼 clean, well-kept mats 3 mentions

“Expect a clean environment with, a budding comunity of kind people, and tailored coaching to your experience level.”

💗 welcoming to women 5 mentions

“I drove down from Fort Wayne to take the women's empowerment self defense class.”

From the reviews

Out of all the Gracie Jiu Jitsu locations I’ve been to, Gracie Jiu Jitsu Indianapolis is my favorite! I waited for a whole year when I moved to Indy from Arizona for a Certified Training Center of the Gracie Jiu Jitsu self defense program to open up in the Indianapolis area, and boy was it worth the wait!!

★★★★★ — Byrdman, Jan 2024

Coach James is excellent for beginners, intermediate, and advanced students alike. Expect a clean environment with, a budding comunity of kind people, and tailored coaching to your experience level.

★★★★★ — Zachary, Apr 2024

As a former Green Beret, I can honestly say that James' instruction and the program outline at Gracie Jiu Jitsu Indianapolis is some of the best that I have experienced.

★★★★★ — Chase, Dec 2023

I’m a brown belt and James the head instructor gave me a very warm welcome when I first arrived. My experience there at the school was top notch, the passion for Jiu Jitsu was apparent. Also the students were so welcoming also and very good training partners.

★★★★★ — Milton, May 2026

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 12 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Indianapolis

Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Indianapolis 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.

See their beginner class info

Your first BJJ class at Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Indianapolis

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.

BJJ is a contact sport. Ease in, tap early and often, listen to your coaches, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Indianapolis

5335 N Tacoma Ave Ste 14, Indianapolis, IN46220

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this gym? Claim your listing — it's free.