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Royce Gracie Academy of Glastonbury

5 ★★★★★ 19 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Glastonbury, Connecticut

Part of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu

BJJ gym Free trial Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons No-gi

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 (ages 10–12) — 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
  • No-gi no-gi grappling classes — training in a rashguard and shorts, with faster scrambles and a natural bridge to MMA
  • Open mat open-mat rolling sessions for members to practice live — always optional and at your own pace
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule roycegraciect.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 860-879-8352

Hours

Monday 11:30 am–1 pm, 6–8:30 pm
Tuesday 5:30–8:30 pm
Wednesday 11:30 am–1 pm, 6–8:30 pm
Thursday 5:30–8:30 pm
Friday 11:30 am–1 pm
Saturday Closed
Sunday 9:30–11 am

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

📘 Fundamentals 3 mentions

“The gym is open 5 out of the 7 days of the week, several black belt coaches that focus on the fundamentals and foundation of standing and ground Jiu-jitsu.”

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🩳 No-Gi

“Gi in winter, and some partial/no gi in summer.”

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👤 Private Lessons 2 mentions

“A variety of classes offered throughout the week for different focuses as well as the option for private classes.”

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🔓 Open Mat

“White gi's only (with exception to open mat on Saturdays).”

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🛡️ Self-Defense 9 mentions

“The instructors got their black belts from Royce Gracie (the legendary winner of UFC 1, 2, and 4) and teach his self-defense curriculum.”

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🌱 Beginners 2 mentions

“The best BJJ and overall self defense school in CT, perfect for both beginners and those more advanced.”

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🧒 Kids BJJ

“This school is ideal for children, young adults, male/females of all ages, body types, health status, etc.”

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Other martial arts here

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

🏟️ MMA

“He's the GOAT and one of the reasons MMA/UFC exists today.”

Other gyms that also teach mma →

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 19 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 3 mentions

“The gym is open 5 out of the 7 days of the week, several black belt coaches that focus on the fundamentals and foundation of standing and ground Jiu-jitsu.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 8 mentions

“The dojo is clean and bright, all of the other students I met were really friendly and welcoming, and the instructors are great!”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 8 mentions

“The dojo is clean and bright, all of the other students I met were really friendly and welcoming, and the instructors are great!”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 6 mentions

“The gym is open 5 out of the 7 days of the week, several black belt coaches that focus on the fundamentals and foundation of standing and ground Jiu-jitsu.”

🎖️ legit lineage & affiliation 16 mentions

“The instructors got their black belts from Royce Gracie (the legendary winner of UFC 1, 2, and 4) and teach his self-defense curriculum.”

🧼 clean, well-kept mats 6 mentions

“The dojo is clean and bright, all of the other students I met were really friendly and welcoming, and the instructors are great!”

From the reviews

Excellent gym for anyone looking to try Jiu-Jitsu. Skilled instructors who are passionate about seeing their students succeed. Very welcoming environment to new students.

★★★★★ — Jesse, Jan 2023

I've been a student of martial arts for over 4 decades and have practiced and received senior belts within several traditional styles (e.g., Tae Kwon Doe, Kung Fu, etc..). Without question, I have found Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (e.g.

★★★★★ — Anthony, Feb 2024

Great gym and coaches! The gym is open 5 out of the 7 days of the week, several black belt coaches that focus on the fundamentals and foundation of standing and ground Jiu-jitsu. They work different positional situations, weapon defense, combat BJJ, breathing, flow-rolling, sparing, etc.

★★★★★ — Connor, Jan 2023

The best BJJ and overall self defense school in CT, perfect for both beginners and those more advanced. Blackbelts Doug, Rick, and Kate are patient and understanding instructors, who truly care about their students. A gem of a school.

★★★★★ — Kyrill, Jan 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 19 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Royce Gracie Academy of Glastonbury

Royce Gracie Academy of Glastonbury 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.

See their beginner class info

Your first BJJ class at Royce Gracie Academy of Glastonbury

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 Glastonbury

107 Oakwood Dr, Glastonbury, CT06033

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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.