We signed up our son as he said he wanted to try it and got lured in by their promotion of Gi being included when doing so at the time. Classes are good but they nickel and dime every way they can. One day we forgot to pack the GB performance shirt they need to wear under the Gi but still had a black Nike shirt on underneath, and was told he can't step onto mat unless he had the GB shirt, so was forced to buy one. Then baseball season started and we had to pause the membership. Told we can't do it at location but needed to email. They will give you a three month pause but charge $25 each month, any additional months after that need to be "approved" or at least when I told them we needed to pause for another month the email response I got said "request approved". Lastly, our son decided he didn't want to go back as he wanted to do other things during the summer and so we asked to cancel. Apparently you need to give a 60 day notice of cancellation and will be charged in full for those two months, and membership pause also doesn't count towards 60-day notice policy. Talk about highway robbery. This is a gym membership not cancelling a lease. All these fees and gotchas are outlined in the contract but not fully explained when we signed up. So make sure you ask questions about the contract before jumping in and plan accordingly if you want to cancel. read more

This gym is great! Professor Ale and all the Professors including Luca, Leticia, and Justin make this an amazing place to train for the entire family. My kids have been going for 4 years and 2 years for myself. Great way to stay in shape, build a brotherhood/sisterhood, and learn the "gentle" art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Oss! P.S. They have grown soo much since we first joined that we just moved to a new bigger space in the same general plaza. read more

See all

Dropped in from out of town. Gym was clean, welcoming, and professionally organized. Professor Luca greeted me at reception. Professor Alex Ogawa and professor Luca taught a thorough class with crisp instruction on mount escapes and attacks from the guard position. All the instruction was very precise, technical, and clearly explained. I very much enjoyed this class, and the class exceeded the high standards expected at a Gracie Barra school. On another occasion I tried the striking class, something not offered at many Brazilian Jiujitsu schools. 10/10 recommend GBSD! read more

Gracie Barra San Diego - Professor Luca, myself, Professor Ogawa. GB San Diego. - Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Near Me - San Diego, California

Amazing staff and community. Professor Alexander Ogawa embodies the spirit and community that all parents dream of their children experiencing in a martial arts school. My son has been a student here for 2 years (since he was 3) and hopefully will go until he's at college. I train there as well and can't help but see the kindness that can exist in a combat sport. Such a wonderful place that I hope continues to thrive and grow. The more people they touch the better for society. If you're hesitating - do not. Just go - they are awesome! read more

My son loved it from the first day. His goal was to become more confident. Gracie Barra helped him to improve on so many different levels! The staff is amazing. Definitely recommend!!! read more

Gracie Barra San Diego - Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

The training is fine but the process for cancelling a membership is incredibly frustrating and confusing. I have gone into the store 3 times, each time they have never been able to cancel the membership in store, instead they give me steps to email the billing site, and even after doing so I was still charged over 100$ for my membership after trying to cancel. It is a scammy and shady tactic to make it easy to sign up in store but make it so unclear how to cancel and being lied to by the staff. read more

If you're interested in training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), I highly recommend coming to Gracie Barra San Diego. The students and staff are extremely welcoming, patient, and kind. I remember when I first started, both professors and students took extra time to explain moves and give me helpful advice to develop my technique. The professors are also very knowledgeable, they always had answers to my questions about passing guard, sweeps, submissions, etc. At Gracie Barra San Diego, you will receive instruction from some of the best practitioners of BJJ today in an environment that fosters a strong sense of community. read more

I can not brag enough about this school and the staff!! Joining Gracie Barra in Clairemont is easily one of the best decisions I made for my son and I! Professor is so knowledgeable, informative, talented and kind! Dani, at the front desk was amazing from our very first phone call to seeing her every class. The facility is always clean and they have changing rooms! The location is central, easy to find and has tons of parking! I look forward to every single class, learning something new, challenging my self and improving my skills in BJJ. HIGHLY RECOMMEND trying Gracie Barra in Clairemont! read more

I attended a class here and the quality here is PERFECT. The kids also get a bin of toys at the front desk, and I made plenty of friends here. Professor Ale, and the other staff are kind and helpful. You should definitely join these classes, and keep showing up so you can end up where the professors are! They only have 3 changing rooms and no lockers, the bathroom is clean, and the most important thing, the mats are always filled with eager students! Every time there's a family class on Saturday, I just see a bunch of kids running around on the mats. I can't imagine a Saturday with kids not running and racing each other on the mats. Everyone is growing together in this school, and you HAVE to join it! If you like striking, you can join the striking classes. If you are preparing for a competition, you can join the competition class! There are so many classes that you can attend, and it's good if you want to find ways to defend yourself. read more

Ogawa Sensei is an Outstanding Instructor!!! His martial arts skills are equally matched by his kindness and genuine willingness to help you understand the concepts and technical aspects behind the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu skills he teaches. I enjoyed learning from him so much that I decided to bring my 5-year old daughter to their child lessons and she LOVES attending them! I'm a swim coach and I know how important it is to help a child master skills and develop self-confidence, so that they can become strong-minded individuals. I could not ask for a better instructor or role model for my daughter. Ogawa Sensei's positive attitude and reinforcement are things that I value highly, especially since it is helping my daughter's self-confidence flourish. Definitely stop by and check this place out! I did and after they gave me a free Introductory lesson, I haven't stopped coming back! read more

Gracie Barra San Diego - Strong-Minded Woman In Training! - Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

Visiting this location from Hawaii's Gracie Barra! The instructor and staff are great, they are friendly and helpful just like the staff back in Hawaii. The instruction is a little fast paced but does not sacrifice the break down of learning the moves. read more

Like all GB schools, this place is friendly and welcoming. Great instruction and professor follows GB curriculum to a tee. FYI: If you're a visitor from another GB school you will be required to write your name on your GI. read more

i bring my 6 yr old son here. i absolutely believe in the gracie barra instructors very positive and motivating for our kids. read more

Gracie Barra San Diego - instructor ALE explaining leadership!!! he takes on all roles FRIEND,instructor and a mentor. a true role model representing gracie barra - Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Near Me - San Diego, California

Professor Alexandre is a very dedicated instructor. He is great at teaching kids and adults. What separates him is attitude and positive outlook on life. He is constantly learning on and off the mats and is a great example for his students. Also, the facility itself is very nice and well kept! read more

would highly recommend anyone to check out a class here (or another location) had a good experience.

The leadership and instructors hosted an informative and fun session for our teen girls - teaching them some essential concepts and moves for self defense. I would highly recommend this studio and team! read more

Joined a couple months back and absolutely love it here! I started with very little BJJ experience so I was looking for a school that was open to teaching beginners and had a structured curriculum. At GB San Diego I found a welcoming community that was eager to help me learn and develop at my own pace. I have been to a few other schools, but this one in particular fit all the criteria that mattered most to me. 1) It is clean. 2) They have class times that work with my schedule. 3) The staff and students are friendly and encouraging. I was never interested in starting BJJ to become a fighter or to compete, but they give me the same level of attention as the students who are competing. If you have not yet taken the free intro class.... sign up now. read more

I signed up a month ago and it has been one of the best decisions I've ever made while living in San Diego. They truly treat everyone like a family member and are very welcoming to anyone stopping in. While I have wanted to train jiu jitsu for years, I've always had an excuse not too. There's no time for excuses anymore, Life's too short!The gym is kept clean, the Professor Ale has vast knowledge and is very passionate about instructing. Nathalia at the front desk is very kind and a member too. The workout is great and jiu jitsu is highly addicting, it's a never ending physical and mental puzzle. Highly recommend giving jiu jitsu and this gym a try. read more

Professor Alé Ogawa has created a culture of family, friendship, and positivity and the martial arts instruction is second to none. Beginning jiu jitsu can be intimidating. The movements are awkward, you're closer to people than you'd normally be, and you're rolling around on the ground. At gracie barra san diego you'll find a team of partners and instructors that will encourage you through those initial challenges and celebrate your successes. At Gracie Barra San Diego no matter what your goals, age, gender, or body type you will be welcomed into our jiu jitsu family. read more

Excellent Professor, great classes, fantastic workout! But you can go at your own pace and see yourself improving.

Highly recommend! Teaches kids self discipline, leadership, anti-bullying tactics (real world scenarios and what to do), self defense, respect, and no quitting attitude. Professor Ale is an awesome professor! He's great with kids and my girls look up to him. His wife Patricia works the front desk and she is so kind and humble :) read more

did a self defense class with people from my school. had an amazing time! great teachers

Gracie Barra SD is a great academy to learn Jiu-Jitsu. Professor Ale is a great instructor. Everyone there is very welcoming and treat you like family. read more