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Gracie Jiu-Jitsu South Bend
4.9 ★★★★★ 94 Google reviews · BJJ gym in South Bend, Indiana
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 graciejiujitsusouthbend.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 574-383-5129
Hours
| Monday | 11 am–1 pm, 4:30–8:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 11 am–1 pm, 4:30–8:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 11 am–1 pm, 4:30–9:30 pm |
| Thursday | 12–1 pm, 4:30–8:30 pm |
| Friday | 12–1 pm, 4:30–7 pm |
| Saturday | 8:50 am–12:30 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“My son has taken classes since a young age, I myself take classes and now my father in law is taking classes.”
“Bought a year, 20 private lessons, and 2 Gi's.”
“John and Thomas do an amazing job fostering a mutually respectful, positive and constructive environment to learn self defense through bjj.”
“I was very uncertain about joining at first, but everyone was very welcoming and an open arms to all beginners and learning jujutsu.”
What members say
“John and Thomas are incredible instructors, they're kind, welcoming, and never make you feel like an idiot if you don't know something.”
“I was very uncertain about joining at first, but everyone was very welcoming and an open arms to all beginners and learning jujutsu.”
“I live and train in Denver but was in South Bend for the month visiting family and couldn't have asked for a better school to keep my skills sharp.”
“Techniques are taught simply and effectively with plenty of drilling and oversight from instructors and higher belts to ensure confidence in your understanding of the techniques.”
“I'd heard about Gracie South Bend from a friend and spent 12 months working up the nerve to walk in.”
“The people are all SO welcoming, and the space is clean and well-kept.”
From the reviews
My first day was 9/13/2021. I was 257 pounds, and I could hardly move my own body, let alone practice a Martial Art..... safe to say I was wrong. I was welcomed with open arms and embraced by the community they had built/continue to cultivate.
I've been routinely training here for about 9 months so far and it's one of the best decisions I've ever made. The comradery, the lessons, and cleanliness are all top notch. John and Thomas are incredible professors with razor sharp attention to detail and I'm so grateful to learn from them.
Great place for community and Jiu-Jitsu! John and Thomas are masters at the art and welcome all. They offer a 10 day no risk trial which offers any person access to classes before committing. Definitely check this place out, you won’t regret it!
My husband and daughter attend classes here. They have the most welcoming atmosphere. There's an obvious but not overwhelming effort made to put new comers at ease, which is really appreciated. The vibe is relaxed, the training easy to understand and the people super welcoming.
New to BJJ? Start at Gracie Jiu-Jitsu South Bend
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu South Bend 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 South Bend
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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