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Rio Jiu-jitsu Academy
4.9 ★★★★★ 67 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Raeford, North Carolina
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
- 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 riojiujitsuacademy.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 910-988-0333
Hours
| Monday | 12–1 pm, 4–9 pm |
| Tuesday | 6–10 am, 4–9 pm |
| Wednesday | 12–1 pm, 4–9 pm |
| Thursday | 7–10 am, 4–9 pm |
| Friday | 6–7 am, 5–8 pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“She shares her passion for Jiu-Jitsu in every class, creating an amazing learning environment for both adults and kids.”
“Barbara been such a great instructor since I’ve started the women’s classes.”
“Brand new academy featuring high level instruction from coaches who compete at the highest level.”
“The instructors are super knowledgeable and really care about helping everyone improve, whether you’re a beginner or advanced.”
What members say
“Barbara been such a great instructor since I’ve started the women’s classes.”
“The instructors are super knowledgeable and really care about helping everyone improve, whether you’re a beginner or advanced.”
“The environment is super welcoming, respectful, and motivating, perfect for anyone who wants to grow in Jiu-Jitsu the right way.”
“Rio Jiujitsu Academy is the place you want to be weather you want to take your Jiujitsu journey to the next level, trying to up your competition game or looking start jiujitsu.”
“The facility itself is beautiful, clean, and well cared for, which makes training even more enjoyable.”
“Barbara been such a great instructor since I’ve started the women’s classes.”
From the reviews
Rio Jiu-Jitsu Academy is absolutely amazing! The instructors are incredibly professional, patient, and dedicated. You can truly see the care and attention they give to every student — from beginners to advanced.
HIGHLY recommend this gym to anyone. Whether you've done jiu-jitsu for awhile or never in your life (me), Bárbara and the other coaches are incredible at making you feel welcome and teaching you what you need to know. It's a great environment for families!
I’ve known Barbara for a few years and I’m so excited she has the opportunity to run her own gym. She truly a person who deserves it. She’s not only passionate, patient, and extremely knowledgeable, but she’s also professional and straightforward. It’s been an honor to have her as a coach for myself and my girls!
Rio Jiu Jitsu is such an amazing place to train. The gym has a great energy to it welcoming, motivating, and already building a strong community. I can really see this place growing into something huge because of the atmosphere Barbara and Gui create. They’re not just incredible coaches, they’re incredible people.
New to BJJ? Start at Rio Jiu-jitsu Academy
Rio Jiu-jitsu Academy 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 Rio Jiu-jitsu Academy
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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