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Ralph Gracie Jiu Jitsu - Santa Clara
4.7 ★★★★★ 15 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Santa Clara, California
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
- 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 ralphgraciesj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 408-320-9848
Hours
| Monday | 12–7 pm |
| Tuesday | 12–7 pm |
| Wednesday | 12–7 pm |
| Thursday | 12–7 pm |
| Friday | 12–5 pm |
| Saturday | 9–11:30 am |
| Sunday | 9 am–12 pm |
The classes they run
“I've had a chance to watch instructors coaching kids in multiple bjj dojos, wrestling, kickboxing and parkour, so I feel confident in my assessment at this point.”
“The coaches are patient with slow, new or uncertain kids and are likewise able to effectively coach kids/youth who want to compete.”
“Great training for all levels and high level staff and teachers.”
Other martial arts here
“I've had a chance to watch instructors coaching kids in multiple bjj dojos, wrestling, kickboxing and parkour, so I feel confident in my assessment at this point.”
“I've had a chance to watch instructors coaching kids in multiple bjj dojos, wrestling, kickboxing and parkour, so I feel confident in my assessment at this point.”
What members say
“They run a solid school with knowledgeable coaching staff.”
“During the 45-minute class, my son gets a great workout and comes home sweating and feeling accomplished.”
“One of the best places to send your kid to get energy out and build confidence.”
“I started with the Ralph Gracie in San Jose last year, and recently, I've been training in the new Santa Clara location.”
“The facility is clean, with well-maintained mats, and the large glass windows make it easy to see the kids while they are training.”
“I really appreciate having a safe and positive space where teenagers can stay active and build discipline.”
From the reviews
I just dropped in one Thursday knowing nothing and Dave and Darren dropped everything to start teaching me. Every night since has been more of the same. Everybody in this gym is cheerful and helpful, and I'm just really impressed how patient they have been with me.
My 11yo son has been coming to this dojo for over a year, and the instruction and class atmosphere has been pretty darn good throughout that time. I've had a chance to watch instructors coaching kids in multiple bjj dojos, wrestling, kickboxing and parkour, so I feel confident in my assessment at this point.
Both of my daughters (6 & 8) have been training here for almost a month now. It’s been fantastic. The coaches/staff are professional, knowledgeable and they really care. The class times are convenient and the cost seems fair and comparable to other places.
My son recently started training at Ralph Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, and although it hasn’t been long, he is very happy there. The facility is clean, with well-maintained mats, and the large glass windows make it easy to see the kids while they are training. The coaches are enthusiastic and dedicated.
New to BJJ? Start at Ralph Gracie Jiu Jitsu - Santa Clara
Ralph Gracie Jiu Jitsu - Santa Clara 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 Ralph Gracie Jiu Jitsu - Santa Clara
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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