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Ralph Gracie Richmond
5 ★★★★★ 30 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Richmond, 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
- Private lessons private, one-on-one coaching available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
- 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 ralphgracierichmond.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 510-518-7210
Hours
| Monday | 6 am–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 11 am–9 pm |
| Wednesday | 6 am–8 pm |
| Thursday | 11 am–9 pm |
| Friday | 6 am–8 pm |
| Saturday | 10 am–1 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“He always makes you feel welcomed and is always excited to teach everyone from young kids to teens to adults with full time jobs and families of their own.”
“Since then, more women's classes have been added and it's always exciting to see more women on the mat!”
“He always makes you feel welcomed and is always excited to teach everyone from young kids to teens to adults with full time jobs and families of their own.”
“Special shoutout to Professor Igor Estrella—a 3rd-degree black belt with world-class expertise, with an approach that makes every class accessible yet challenging for all levels.”
What members say
“Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned practitioner, his caring nature fosters an environment of growth and support.”
“The camaraderie among practitioners is palpable, creating a supportive network that extends beyond the mat.”
“Every session feels like a masterclass, with detailed explanations that enhance both technique and understanding.”
“My kids love instructor, Igor and his wife for their commitment to our young community.”
“I have been going to so many Jiu Jitsu academy around the bay, non of them are close to the Ralph Gracie Richmond, Igor is the best, the gym has the best and cleaner mat!”
“I have been going to so many Jiu Jitsu academy around the bay, non of them are close to the Ralph Gracie Richmond, Igor is the best, the gym has the best and cleaner mat!”
From the reviews
Congratulations to Igor and Elise for dedication to the opening of the academy. It was perfect, It's a pleasure to my son learning with you, in this family environment. thank you professor Igor for learning jiu jitsu and also making the children smile, I highly recommend Ralph Gracie Richmond.
Ralph Gracie Richmond Jiu Jitsu is an amazing community for children and adults. I and my two sons have been training for over a year with Professor Igor Estrella. He comes from the root of Jiu Jitsu in Rio de Janeiro, and brings an unrivaled passion and dedication to the sport.
So pleased and happy to be a part of this family! My kids love instructor, Igor and his wife for their commitment to our young community. Building the foundation is huge! This is the best of the best!
Awesome instruction. Supportive yet competitive atmosphere. I love training here. Many time slots for training that allows me to fit Jiu Jitsu into my hectic schedule. Five Stars!
New to BJJ? Start at Ralph Gracie Richmond
Ralph Gracie Richmond 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 Richmond
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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🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site