Home › Michigan › Keego Harbor › Gracie Jiujitsu Keego Harbor
Gracie Jiujitsu Keego Harbor
5 ★★★★★ 75 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Keego Harbor, Michigan
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
- Open mat open-mat rolling sessions for members to practice live — always optional and at your own pace
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule gracieuniversity.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (248) 657-0121
Hours
| Monday | 11:30 AM–12:30 PM, 5:30–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 11:30 AM–2 PM, 5:30–10 PM |
| Wednesday | 11:30 AM–12:30 PM, 4–9:30 PM |
| Thursday | 11:30 AM–12:30 PM, 6–10 PM |
| Friday | 11:30 AM–12:30 PM, 5:30–9 PM |
| Saturday | 9:30 AM–3:30 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“The staff are excellent, and patient, and genuinely care about the students, and helping build self esteem and confidence with the kids.”
“I am a pink belt here from the women’s class and we have a wide range of ages and ability levels and always make sure everyone feels welcome.”
“It’s pretty much random on what they teach on any given day, but at Gracie, Keego Harbor Safety is the most important thing for them and self-defense first.”
“So the beginner program is called Combatives which Is designed specifically for self-defense on the street against an untrained opponent.”
Other martial arts here
“The only other gyms I believe do that type of training would be a true MMA gym.”
What members say
“Coach Don and the crew did an amazing job creating a fun and safe martial arts environment for everyone.”
“So the beginner program is called Combatives which Is designed specifically for self-defense on the street against an untrained opponent.”
“It's not hardcore and people are friendly and patiently match the pace of your skill level, age, strength.”
“Proper Jiu-Jitsu etiquette, detail oriented teaching, mats are always clean and the camaraderie around the students serves as the backbone of the academy.”
“It’s pretty much random on what they teach on any given day, but at Gracie, Keego Harbor Safety is the most important thing for them and self-defense first.”
“Proper Jiu-Jitsu etiquette, detail oriented teaching, mats are always clean and the camaraderie around the students serves as the backbone of the academy.”
From the reviews
Love this place. I struggled for several years to find a home I’ve trained at two other Gyms but kept getting hurt. Most gyms are competition gyms and if you’re older, getting into jiu jitsu like me, you Inevitably will end up hurting yourself.
[please "like" if this is helpful] I just finished my first class, and I'm super happy I did it. During the drive to my first class I was feeling intimidated, but the coach made everything comfortable, interesting, and achievable. I will definitely return because I like the culture of the gym.
Great gym, great atmosphere, and fantastic instructors. Gracie Jiu-jitsu's progress sheet is a great tool for seeing and reviewing where you are and what you have learned. Great tool to show you where you need to improve. Gracie Jiu-Jitsu also offers a great Bullyproof program that my son really enjoys.
If you are looking for a warm and welcoming self defense academy, this is the place to be. I was a bit intimidated on my first day because I was expecting to come in and get thrown to the mat and choked out. Not the case at all! Everyone is super helpful and kind.
New to BJJ? Start at Gracie Jiujitsu Keego Harbor
Gracie Jiujitsu Keego Harbor 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 Jiujitsu Keego Harbor
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 Keego Harbor
Assembly Jiu-Jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 120 reviews
True Martial Arts
5 ★★★★★ 142 reviews
The Garage Jiu-Jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 24 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site