Home › Arkansas › Centerton › Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Northwest Arkansas
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Northwest Arkansas
5 ★★★★★ 22 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Centerton, Arkansas
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 3–13) — 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
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule gracienwa.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (479) 926-5384
Hours
| Monday | 4:15–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 10:15 AM–12 PM, 5:45–7:15 PM |
| Wednesday | 4:15–8 PM |
| Thursday | 10:15 AM–12 PM, 5:45–7:15 PM |
| Friday | 4:15–8 PM |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“The Certified Instructors create a safe, supportive environment where both kids and adults can build confidence, discipline, and practical skills.”
“As a woman, I was offered the opportunity to be paired with a female instructor if that was more comfortable for me.”
“That matters because GJJ isn’t sport martial arts — it’s practical self-defense that actually works.”
“Not overly intense or intimidating, and they’re great about letting beginners learn at a comfortable pace without feeling thrown to the wolves.”
Other martial arts here
What members say
“Best place to start and train jiu-jitsu really good knowledgeable coaches, everyone is super friendly and very welcoming.”
“Not overly intense or intimidating, and they’re great about letting beginners learn at a comfortable pace without feeling thrown to the wolves.”
“Best place to start and train jiu-jitsu really good knowledgeable coaches, everyone is super friendly and very welcoming.”
“Their attention to detail and trained skill make them excellent rolling partners as well as top notch instructors.”
“It’s a true family sport for the Harris’ and their kids program is one that every parent should consider!”
“Whether it’s Gracie Combatives, Women Empowered, or Gracie Bullyproof, every class feels purposeful and empowering.”
From the reviews
The programs are structured, beginner-friendly, and focused on real-world self-defense. The Certified Instructors create a safe, supportive environment where both kids and adults can build confidence, discipline, and practical skills.
I was absolutely blown away by the genuine warmth, the professionalism, knowledge, and kindness of all instructors, as well as the encouragement and patience my daughter was welcomed with (who can struggle with shyness). My daughter has never gotten so comfortable in a brand new place so quickly, EVER.
I’ve had the privilege of training and working alongside Coach Jake and Coach Julia for some time, and can say without hesitation that this community is in great hands.
Great instructors! My son loves their classes and has learned a lot. I am very glad we started his training with Gracie Jiu Jitsu.
New to BJJ? Start at Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Northwest Arkansas
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Northwest Arkansas 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 Northwest Arkansas
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 Centerton
Martial Arts Advantage
4.9 ★★★★★ 109 reviews
Overcome Brazilian jiu-jitsu - Bentonville
5 ★★★★★ 74 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
T.O.S.S. Academy / Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 41 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site