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Royce Gracie Academy of Gadsden

5 ★★★★★ 8 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Gadsden, Alabama

Part of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu

BJJ gym Free trial Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons 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

  • 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
  • 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
  • Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule roycegracieal.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 336-314-6959

Hours

Monday 5–8:30 pm
Tuesday 6–8:30 pm
Wednesday 6–8:30 pm
Thursday 5–8:30 pm
Friday Closed
Saturday 10 am–12 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 Royce Gracie Academy of Gadsden, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

📘 Fundamentals 2 mentions

“Very laid back environment and the instructor is great at teaching fundamentals that apply in both self defense and tournament style BJJ.”

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🧒 Kids BJJ 2 mentions

“I would highly recommend for adults or kids with any level of BJJ background.”

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🏆 Competition Team

“Very laid back environment and the instructor is great at teaching fundamentals that apply in both self defense and tournament style BJJ.”

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🛡️ Self-Defense 4 mentions

“Hands down a wonderful experience in every aspect and I have learned a great deal about my body, my abilities and my capabilities for self defense.”

All gyms that run self-defense →

🌱 Beginners 2 mentions

“The coaches genuinely care about every student’s progress, from complete beginners to advanced practitioners.”

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What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 8 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 2 mentions

“Very laid back environment and the instructor is great at teaching fundamentals that apply in both self defense and tournament style BJJ.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 3 mentions

“The coaches genuinely care about every student’s progress, from complete beginners to advanced practitioners.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 5 mentions

“The environment is welcoming and he has a great group of learners that I have thoroughly enjoyed training with!”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 3 mentions

“Very laid back environment and the instructor is great at teaching fundamentals that apply in both self defense and tournament style BJJ.”

🎖️ legit lineage & affiliation 4 mentions

“Absolutely outstanding experience at Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Gadsden!”

From the reviews

I have been coming to Royce Gracie of Gadsden since it opened. I am older and am taking personal lessons. Jeremiah is meticulous with his instructions. He emphasizes that I get the moves correct. I am responding well to this form of teaching. I am learning that I can take this slowly in order to get it right.

★★★★★ — Cynthia, Aug 2024

Absolutely outstanding experience at Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Gadsden! The instruction here is world-class—patient, detailed, and rooted in real Gracie fundamentals. The coaches genuinely care about every student’s progress, from complete beginners to advanced practitioners.

★★★★★ — Rusty, Oct 2025

Facility is AMAZING and so clean. Jeremiah is an exceptional instructor and very knowledgeable and provides step by step instructions, guidance and feedback. He is very positive, patient and helpful with beginners.

★★★★★ — Christy, Oct 2024

This place is incredible. I feel like it can be intimidating for women to participate in martial arts or the fighting arts; but, this place makes you feel comfortable. They start each class off with self defense lessons, which I love.

★★★★★ — Anna, May 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 8 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Royce Gracie Academy of Gadsden

Royce Gracie Academy of Gadsden 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.

See their beginner class info

Your first BJJ class at Royce Gracie Academy of Gadsden

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 Royce Gracie Academy of Gadsden

612 Broad St Ste 100, Gadsden, AL35901

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.