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Renzo Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 122 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Smithfield, Rhode Island
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
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule lp.renzogracieri.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (856) 238-2613
Hours
| Monday | 10 AM–12:30 PM, 5–9:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 10 AM–12:30 PM, 5–9:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 11 AM–12:30 PM, 6–7:30 PM |
| Thursday | 10 AM–12:30 PM, 5–9:30 PM |
| Friday | 10 AM–12:30 PM, 4–7 PM |
| Saturday | 9:30 AM–12:30 PM |
| Sunday | 8 AM–1:30 PM |
The classes they run
“I’ve noticed he always greets the kids individually upon arrival, ensuring that they feel a sense of belonging before the start of class.”
“My friend teaches a women’s only class which I started to attend this past summer.”
“My teens really wanted to train at a local gym and we found Renzo Gracie in Smithfield, RI.”
“If you want to learn self defense, compete, be part of an amazing community, or all of the above!”
“If you want to learn self defense, compete, be part of an amazing community, or all of the above!”
“Our school leader, Professor Marcelo Cruz, has boundless knowledge of BJJ and lots of patience for eager beginners like myself.”
What members say
“This facility is led by the most knowledgeable instructor in Rhode Island, he is extremely humble person and treats everyone like family.”
“I have been training at RGRI for just under a year and have experienced such a welcoming, knowledgeable and encouraging community since my first class.”
“I have been training at RGRI for just under a year and have experienced such a welcoming, knowledgeable and encouraging community since my first class.”
“Professor Marcelo Cruz is a great instructor with great details breaking down positions….”
“I have been going for about 8 months and liked it so much, I signed up my nephews for the kids program.”
“If you want to learn self defense, compete, be part of an amazing community, or all of the above!”
From the reviews
Started my daughter at RGRI about 4 months ago. The coaches are all dedicated, encouraging and very professional. It feels like family when you walk through the door. Everyone always says hello with a smile and they all truly care. The facility is clean.
Started training here back at the beginning of March 2021 and haven't regretted my decision on join this gym once. I have been attending the white belt class 3 times a week. Professor Cruz is an awesome teacher/mentor and all around great guy.
We were visiting family in RI, from VA. We are members of Gracie Barra Ashburn, Virginia. My teens really wanted to train at a local gym and we found Renzo Gracie in Smithfield, RI. The kids were very excited and Renzo Gracie did not disappoint. Professor Marcelo graciously welcomed us for a class.
My son wanted to start martial arts and I reached out to my friends who did BJJ. They recommended attending their school. We did the trial class and he wanted to sign up immediately. A little over a year later, my son is still attending and loving his classes.
New to BJJ? Start at Renzo Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Renzo Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu 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 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
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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