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Rilion Gracie Pensacola

4.8 ★★★★★ 24 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Pensacola, Florida

BJJ gym Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens Competition team

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
  • Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule rgapensacola.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (850) 285-9670

Hours

Monday 6–7:30 AM, 4–8:30 PM
Tuesday 6–7:30 AM, 4–8:30 PM
Wednesday 6–7:30 AM, 4–8:30 PM
Thursday 6–7:30 AM, 4–8:30 PM
Friday Open 24 hours
Saturday Open 24 hours
Sunday Open 24 hours

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 Rilion Gracie Pensacola, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 17 mentions

“My son and I stopped by for a class while visiting Pensacola and I couldnt believe how kind Rafael was to us and his magic working with the kids.”

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Teens BJJ

“The teen and adult classes are also well-structured and challenging but still accessible to students of all levels.”

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🏆 Competition Team 2 mentions

“I am a Jiujitsu Black Belt, active Ibjjf competitor and have been prscticing for almost 20 years.”

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🌱 Beginners 3 mentions

“The teen and adult classes are also well-structured and challenging but still accessible to students of all levels.”

All gyms that run beginners →

Other martial arts here

BJJ gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at Rilion Gracie Pensacola — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🤼 Judo

“He has a vast knowledge of Judo also.”

Other gyms that also teach judo →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the gym's own info — they show what members have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want MMA, muay thai, or wrestling alongside your BJJ, confirm the current schedule with the gym.

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 24 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 4 mentions

“Professor Rafa is knowledgeable and passionate about spreading the "gentle art" of jiu jitsu.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 7 mentions

“The teen and adult classes are also well-structured and challenging but still accessible to students of all levels.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 14 mentions

“Rafael and his team have created a welcoming and supportive environment where everyone feels like part of a big family.”

active competition team 2 mentions

“I am a Jiujitsu Black Belt, active Ibjjf competitor and have been prscticing for almost 20 years.”

🎖️ legit lineage & affiliation 6 mentions

“I've been a student at the Rilion Gracie academy for the last 4 years Its been a great experience overall and my Jiu-Jitsu jitsu has grown by leaps and bounds since I've joined.”

From the reviews

I am a Jiujitsu Black Belt, active Ibjjf competitor and have been prscticing for almost 20 years. Professor Rafael is top notch! His school and his students are very welcoming and non judgemental.

★★★★★ — Clayton, Jul 2023

Before this gym I trained jiu jitsu on and off for a few years and didn’t improve much. I trained here every week for five months and my game exploded. Rafael makes everyone feel welcome from day one and pulls people together. Also, his jiu jitsu knowledge is unrivaled in the area.

★★★★★ — Josh, Jun 2022

Great facility right on 9th Avenue! Profesore Rafael is great at breaking things down to simple forms for any beginner to understand.

★★★★★ — Omar, Jun 2020

I can not say enough good things about Rafael and his kid's Jiu-jitsu class at Rilion Grace Jiu-jitsu Pensacola. From the moment we started attending, my child was welcomed with open arms by Rafael.

★★★★★ — Vagner, Feb 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 24 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Rilion Gracie Pensacola

Rilion Gracie Pensacola 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 Rilion Gracie Pensacola

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 Rilion Gracie Pensacola

1020 N 9th Ave Ste A, Pensacola, FL32501

Get directions

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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.