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Renzo Gracie Academy Des Moines
5 ★★★★★ 66 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Des Moines, Iowa
Part of Renzo Gracie Academy
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
- Open mat open-mat rolling sessions for members to practice live — always optional and at your own pace
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule rgadsm.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (515) 505-4259
Hours
| Monday | 6–7 AM, 12–1:30 PM, 6–8:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 12–1:30 PM, 6–8:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 6–7 AM, 12–1:30 PM, 6–8:30 PM |
| Thursday | 12–1:30 PM, 6–8:30 PM |
| Friday | 6–7 AM, 12–1:30 PM, 6–7:30 PM |
| Saturday | 11 AM–12:30 PM |
| Sunday | 10–11 AM |
The classes they run
“If the kids class was shaped like the adult class this would be the best gym within the state of Iowa but it's not so much left on the table.”
“The community here has something for everyone -- hobbyists, competitors, women, men, younger, older.”
“If your wanting to shed some pounds, make new friends or learn the most effective self defense style known to man, this is the class for you!”
“All levels welcome - solid fundamentals classes for beginners and plenty of hard rolls for folks who like to get after it!”
Other martial arts here
“This is a very positive and encouraging gymto train Jujitsu judo and collegiate wrestling in I would highly recommend this place.”
“This is a very positive and encouraging gymto train Jujitsu judo and collegiate wrestling in I would highly recommend this place.”
What members say
“Carsten is a great coach, the more I’ve trained the more I’ve been able to appreciate that.”
“All levels welcome - solid fundamentals classes for beginners and plenty of hard rolls for folks who like to get after it!”
“My spouse and 3 children train here and are treated like family by peers and instructors alike.”
“All levels welcome - solid fundamentals classes for beginners and plenty of hard rolls for folks who like to get after it!”
“The community here has something for everyone -- hobbyists, competitors, women, men, younger, older.”
“I'd really recommend Renzo Gracie Des Moines to anyone looking to join a positive space, get an amazing workout, and learn a new skill.”
From the reviews
We’re from Texas and always check out the BJJ gyms wherever we travel. We were impressed with this one. First of all, it was super clean and even had showers. Training was top notch. It had a smooth transition from technical to situational, and finally the rounds.
I'm from Des Moines but don't live here anymore. I decided I wanted to train while I'm in town visiting family. I was very welcomed to classes and I enjoyed my visit. Stellar Jiu Jitsu is taught here! I will definitely be training here every time I'm in town.
If the kids class was shaped like the adult class this would be the best gym within the state of Iowa but it's not so much left on the table. Carsten is a great guy kind, methodical, and talented. It's unfortunate it didn't workout for us. If you are looking for a softer easy going class this is for your child.
As a fellow gym owner in the Des Moines metro, I have immense respect and admiration for the community and culture that Carsten and his students have built at Renzo Gracie Des Moines. Their gym has become an epicenter for the area’s best to cross-train, exchange knowledge, and elevate each other’s skills.
New to BJJ? Start at Renzo Gracie Academy Des Moines
Renzo Gracie Academy Des Moines 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 Renzo Gracie Academy Des Moines
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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