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Gracie NEPA Grappling Club
5 ★★★★★ 77 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Olyphant, Pennsylvania
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
- Women's classes dedicated women's BJJ classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule gracienepa.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (570) 383-6300
Hours
| Monday | 7 AM–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 7 AM–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 7 AM–9 PM |
| Thursday | 7 AM–9 PM |
| Friday | 7 AM–9 PM |
| Saturday | 7 AM–3 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“You will not find a better school in the Scranton Area for your kids to learn to deal with bullying.”
“He also knows that repetition is key to being able to execute techniques in a self defense or tournament setting so he allows plenty of time for practice and live drilling.”
“He also knows that repetition is key to being able to execute techniques in a self defense or tournament setting so he allows plenty of time for practice and live drilling.”
“I would highly recommend training here whether you are a beginner, intermediate or advanced Jiu Jitsu player, you will learn a lot.”
Other martial arts here
What members say
“Jeff is an elite instructor, the people who train are always willing to help each other out, and the skills you gain are so important in today’s world.”
“I would highly recommend training here whether you are a beginner, intermediate or advanced Jiu Jitsu player, you will learn a lot.”
“The students and instructors were welcoming, knowledgeable, competitive and great training partners.”
“He also knows that repetition is key to being able to execute techniques in a self defense or tournament setting so he allows plenty of time for practice and live drilling.”
“I met a few of the guys from Gracie NEPA at a seminar and had the opportunity to train with them when I visited my in laws in NEPA the following weekend.”
From the reviews
I have been training with Jeff and the GracieNepa family since 2005/2006 range. As an instructor, you will not find a better teacher in the area. The curriculum is broken down month by month as if you were taking a collegiate / masters class. There are classes for children, beginners, as well as advanced.
I have been training with Jeff for 8 years and can say that he is a great instructor and friend. The whole group at Gracie NEPA is like family. I have traveled all over the U.S. to train and Jeff is one of the top instructors hands down.
When you enter Gracie NEPA, it feels like your second home and not a business. There is no inflated prices or being locked into a long term contract. Jeff Reese makes sure you are not priced out of receiving top quality Gracie JiuJitsu instructions.
Jeff Reese is one of, if not, the best martial arts teacher I ever had. He breaks down lessons for the beginner in a way that is easily understood. I have been training with Jeff in self-defense for about a year. I have learned more with Jeff than any other martial arts instructor.
New to BJJ? Start at Gracie NEPA Grappling Club
Gracie NEPA Grappling Club 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 NEPA Grappling Club
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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