HomeFloridaSt. Augustine › Renzo Gracie St. Augustine

Renzo Gracie St. Augustine

5 ★★★★★ 68 Google reviews · BJJ gym in St. Augustine, Florida

Part of Renzo Gracie Academy

BJJ gym Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons

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
  • 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
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule renzograciestaugustine.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 904-293-3072

Hours

Monday 10 am–8 pm
Tuesday 10 am–8 pm
Wednesday 10 am–8 pm
Thursday 9 am–8 pm
Friday Closed
Saturday 10 am–1 pm
Sunday Closed

Hours shift for holidays, seminars, and open-gym times — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

BJJ classes on the schedule at Renzo Gracie St. Augustine, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 12 mentions

“He fosters a welcoming and supportive environment where kids and adults alike can grow in skill and confidence.”

All gyms that run kids bjj →

👤 Private Lessons

“It feels like one on one training.”

All gyms that run private lessons →

🛡️ Self-Defense

All gyms that run self-defense →

🌱 Beginners 6 mentions

“His deep knowledge of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, combined with his ability to teach students of all levels, makes every class both challenging and rewarding.”

All gyms that run beginners →

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 68 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 6 mentions

“My family and I had the privilege of training with Professor John for three years, and I can confidently say he is one of the best instructors out there.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 11 mentions

“His deep knowledge of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, combined with his ability to teach students of all levels, makes every class both challenging and rewarding.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 34 mentions

“As someone who has trained under Professor John and trained with his family for many years, I could confidently say that you're at the right place with this school.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 9 mentions

“Their experience and knowledge of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu are amazing, and they have a way of breaking down complex techniques into easy-to-understand steps.”

🧒 strong kids program 2 mentions

“My daughter has grown so much both in skill and in confidence thanks to the incredible instructors here.”

🎖️ legit lineage & affiliation 26 mentions

“I have known the Antonucci family for years and Professor John was one of my training partners and an instructor at Renzo Gracie Northern Valley.”

From the reviews

I strongly recommend Professor John Antonucci’s School to both novices of the art as well as experienced practitioners. I have known Professor John and his family for 14 years and have trained many of those years with him and under his tutelage.

★★★★★ — Justin, Mar 2025

We have been coming here since they opened their WGV location with Professor John. Our 9 year old daughter has not only learned so much but has grown personally. Everyone is so kind and helpful. There are always enough coaches available to support the kids with learning the technique. It feels like one on one training.

★★★★★ — Lani, Aug 2025

Fully recommended. As a fourth-degree black belt under Renzo Gracie and the owner of Renzo Gracie Northern Valley, I can say firsthand that Professor John Antonucci was a senior instructor at my academy and has taught every class in the program, from kids’ classes to advanced adults, for years.

★★★★★ — Carl, Mar 2025

I can't say enough good things about Professor John...From the moment you walk in, you will be welcomed and part of a real family. The instruction here is truly exceptional.

★★★★★ — Colleen, Mar 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 68 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Renzo Gracie St. Augustine

Renzo Gracie St. Augustine 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.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first BJJ class at Renzo Gracie St. Augustine

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.

BJJ is a contact sport. Ease in, tap early and often, listen to your coaches, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find Renzo Gracie St. Augustine

150 St Johns Business Pl Ste 303, St. Augustine, FL32095

Get directions

More BJJ gyms near St. Augustine

Art of War Jiu Jitsu St. Augustine

5 ★★★★★ 10 reviews

170 Registry Blvd, St. Augustine, FL

Ages 4–13

BJJ gym Beginners welcome Kids & teens expert, high-level coachingwelcoming to beginnersno-ego, friendly academy

3.1 miles away

Gracie Barra St Augustine, FL - Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

4.9 ★★★★★ 31 reviews

45 Alsop Ct Unit 2, St. Augustine, FL

BJJ gym Beginners welcome Kids & teens Competition team Affiliated expert, high-level coachingwelcoming to beginnersno-ego, friendly academy

5.9 miles away

10th Planet Jiu Jitsu St. Augustine

5 ★★★★★ 34 reviews

2680 Stratton Blvd Ste 5, St. Augustine, FL

BJJ gym Beginners welcome Kids & teens No-gi Competition team Affiliated expert, high-level coachingwelcoming to beginnersno-ego, friendly academy

6.2 miles away

All BJJ gyms in St. Augustine, FL →

Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this gym? Claim your listing — it's free.