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Gracie Jiu-Jitsu St. Louis
5 ★★★★★ 39 Google reviews · BJJ gym in St. Louis, Missouri
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 3–12) — 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
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule graciestl.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (314) 659-8200
Hours
| Monday | 5 AM–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 5 AM–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 5 AM–8 PM |
| Thursday | 5 AM–8 PM |
| Friday | 5 AM–8 PM |
| Saturday | 5 AM–8 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“Coaches Eric and Mark Clarkson are amazing instructors that push you to be your absolute best and who are keen to ingraining each student with proper fundamentals and techniques.”
“The instructors do a great job keeping the kids engaged while making sure they’re having fun throughout each class.”
“Whether you're training to compete, or just looking for a place to learn some self-defense and get in shape, Gracie Jiu-jitsu in St.”
“I love that Mark & Eric emphasize self-defense & awareness (both in one’s mind & body), instead of just preparing us for competition/sport.”
“I’m a total beginner, and the coaches have been approachable, easy to understand/follow, and also let me trial classes to get a feel for it.”
Other martial arts here
What members say
“Eric and Marc, the brothers who run the gym, create a welcoming, family-like atmosphere that makes training here even better, and I appreciate their commitment to the students.”
“Our daughter looks forward to every session, which really speaks to the welcoming and supportive environment they’ve created.”
“Coaches Eric and Mark Clarkson are amazing instructors that push you to be your absolute best and who are keen to ingraining each student with proper fundamentals and techniques.”
“I love that Mark & Eric emphasize self-defense & awareness (both in one’s mind & body), instead of just preparing us for competition/sport.”
“I highly recommend Gracie Jiu-jitsu for anyone looking to get fit, train with competition as a goal, or just to join a positive community.”
“The facility is always clean, organized, and feels like a place where kids can truly grow in confidence while having fun.”
From the reviews
I dropped in from out of town and brought my fiancé along for her first ever class. Great facilities, clean mats, and a friendly environment. Instructors were instantly welcoming, helping us as soon as we walked in. The instructors were knowledgeable and excellent at teaching both beginners and more advanced students.
Fantastic martial arts gym with a welcoming and supportive atmosphere. The coaches are incredibly friendly and skilled, making it a great place for beginners and experienced fighters alike. Everyone is encouraged to push their limits while having fun.
I grew up around family and friends who practice Jiu-Jitsu, but it took me years to try it myself. I hesitated because I didn’t want to get hurt or end up in a very aggressive, overly combative environment. I’m really glad I found this place in St. Louis.
Quality instruction from a great group of coaches who do everything they can to make the people who walk through the door feel comfortable and welcome. They do a good job of differentiating to the various skill levels, and are always helpful towards new or inexperienced members.
New to BJJ? Start at Gracie Jiu-Jitsu St. Louis
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu St. Louis 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 St. Louis
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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