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Gracie Jiu Jitsu
4.4 ★★★★☆ 11 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Waynesville, North Carolina
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 — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- Website & schedule gracienorthcarolina.com — book classes and see the live schedule
The classes they run
“The team here brings the perfect balance of technical precision, real-world application, and a strong sense of community.”
“The instructors were very supportive to first time attendees like myself.”
What members say
“Professors Armando and Christine Basulto are amazing instructors with decades of experience.”
“The atmosphere is welcoming, respectful, and serious about preserving the art.”
“The instructors were very supportive to first time attendees like myself.”
“It's rare to find a place where the mat culture is as strong as the technique—and this academy delivers both.”
From the reviews
The Real Deal for Jiu-Jitsu in North Carolina If you're looking for world-class Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with authentic lineage, passionate instruction, and a truly welcoming culture—Gracie North Carolina is where it's at.
I went there when I was in middle school about to return they are definitely welcoming good at demonstration on techniques along with self-defense leverage They definitely treat you like it’s a family.
Authentic Gracie Jiu-Jitsu with a Supportive, Structured, and Expert-Led Environment This Gracie Humatia Jiu-Jitsu Academy is truly a top-tier place to study traditional Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and is very fortunately located in a small town in western NC.
Great place to train & Excellent instructors Top level BJJ discipline Facility is very inviting open and clean Armando and Christine make learning there a pleasure for beginners, and experienced.
New to BJJ? Start at Gracie Jiu Jitsu
Gracie Jiu Jitsu comes up as a beginner-friendly gym, going by their listing and members’ reviews. 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
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. 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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