This is an excellent spot to learn jiu jitsu across all age ranges. The instructors are…read moreknowledgable, patient, and genuinely care about the performance of their students. They understand what their students need to pay attention to, and help them work towards success in their own athletic development. And above all, the keep things balanced between focused lessons and some fun as well!

Great school, the staff all around is extremely welcoming. On top of that the technique and…read morefoundational elements for children are taught with deep understanding. Great place for your little one to learn.

This place is as good as it gets when it comes to learning Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. I have learned so…read moremuch from them in such a short period of time. The instructors are top notch and very professional. They are also very patient for simpletons like myself. You would be crazy not to come here to learn BJJ because you will love the welcoming environment and you will learn so much. You will also create great friendships!

From the owner: Our goal at Risen Jiu Jitsu and Fitness is to provide you and your family first and foremost a safe…read moretraining environment that is welcoming and enjoyable while at the same time challenging you to levels you didn't know and to press forward through them to the next level. We will help take you to new places with the goal of teaching you to be comfortable being uncomfortable. We want to develop champions not just on the mat but in whatever it is you do in life to where the transition on and off the mat becomes seamless. A champion on the mat gets their hand raised, a champion off the mats raises other's hands.

I was able to attend an open mat on New Year's Eve. I saw a post on instagram and reached out via…read moretext. I heard back quickly and was able to attend. It was a great open mat, I wish I was able to stay longer. Everyone was friendly and welcoming, the level of Jiu jitsu is very high at this academy. Got beat up a bunch and enjoyed the learning experiences. Thank you to Michael for beating me up but also taking the time to teach me as well - inside camping lesson both during the round and after. There aren't many academies that have a master walking around and mingling with their students. I was so lucky to be able to talk with master Machado and take a pic with him. He is a true legend and is such an ambassador as a master of Jiu jitsu. Thank you for the hospitality and rolls!

Cmon, the Legend Carlos Machado in Texas? This is the source of BJJ right here in the USA. Not only…read moreis he a master at BJJ, but a great teacher who cares and is an amazing human. I can't say enough great things about this academy. Just go!!!

Genesis Jiu Jitsu is welcoming to everyone; men, women, and kids and the atmosphere is incredibly…read moresupportive from the moment you walk in. The coaches are patient, knowledgeable, and truly care about every student's growth. But what has stood out the most to me is the women's community. The women here lift each other up, push each other to get better, and celebrate every win together. The friendships I've made on these mats feel like family. If you are searching for confidence, community, and a place where you can grow surrounded by people who want to see you win, Genesis is the place. Five stars without hesitation!

I have been going to Genesis Jiu Jitsu in River Oaks since April of 2025. I'm an older woman and…read moreenjoy the opportunity to train in both Gi and Nogi. The schedule is varied so I can fit in trainings and and open mats for both types of BJJ. The men are extremely kind and helpful at coed classes as well as open mats. I never feel in jeopardy but get a good workout while feeling safe and respected. I also enjoy the classes with women of various ages. We have fun but get great training. Very supportive for competition training as well as for hobbyists.

I was visiting family in the area and needed a place to train. From the moment I walked in I was…read morewelcomed by Prof. Reding and his students. It's a great school with lots of students to train with. Everyone is very chill, knowledgeable and technical. I will definitely be back.

Parents beware of the auto-draft payment requirements mandated by the owner. If you ever decide to…read morecancel or "quit" the studio will continue to draft monies for a minimum of 2 months and as long as they can after that. In my case, Mark has drawn $100 a month for well over a year after my son quit the classes. Mark was smug about his contract language when i first approached him and would not return my phone calls when I continued to call and complain.

Incredible coaching staff and the change in my sons confidence is immeasurable , I recommend this…read moreplace to everyone

Great training, great people. Staff is welcoming and knowledgeable. Team is amazing to work with…read more Family oriented with several families training here from ages starting at 3 and up. Do yourself a favor and come learn defense and Jiu Jitsu

Intro : I have been part of many gyms throughout years of Jiu Jitsu training…read more I have trained under Rafael Formiga from Soul Fighters in Danbury, CT. Roberto Abreu "Cyborg" from Fight Sports in Miami, FL. Steve Ficca from Odin's in Las Vegas, NV And eventually I moved to Dallas and joined Marcelo Garcia. Teaching ( a bit about the Instructors) : Rob Ables: After getting a free lesson under Rob Ables, I decided to sign up immediately. I did not need to visit other gyms. The way he teaches is definitely incredible and refreshing to see. He is a true master. He cares about the students and will make sure to show you variations based on your age, body type, limitations, etc. He understands not every student is the same. Not all of us have the same goals in life. I have met many gym owners who usually are great competitors, but lack in the teaching department. Rob Ables is a master, a teacher, a coach. He has taught me many valuable lessons, and often times they were just slight modifications to things I was doing that made a world of difference. I have never seen a more selfless coach, he has never turned me down or any other student when we ask him to show us something after class is over. Not only him but the other coaches there are absolutely amazing. Dan Butterfield is also a treasure filled with wisdom. Inside and outside of the mats, he's compassionate, wise and extremely good at the gentle. art of Jiu Jitsu. He's a father figure to many. He's always glad to help and assist students. Kevin : he's a new coach that started teaching just before I moved away from Dallas , but his classes are absolutely fun and he has no ego. He will spar with lower belts and let us test ourselves. Being that he's very competent at Jiu-Jitsu, it's great to have someone at his level allow us to practice. School Philosophy: The Marcelo Garcia philosophy is basically to rely on technique above all else. We are taught to maintain our competence, respect and integrity once we step away from the mats as well. Training Partners: They are absolutely great. I have never had issues with anyone that had been coming to the school for a while. All my partners were respectful, took great care of me, had great awareness and are not "out to get you", they quickly became true friends. It was pretty comforting to find such a great school with really down to earth, respectful partners. They also have a plethora of seasoned competitors that will definitely push you if you so choose, it's definitely good to push yourself against the very high skilled active competitors here. I always learned something new every time I rolled with them. Conclusion : This is as 5 stars of a Jiu Jitsu school as it gets. Everything about the school is great and I'm very thankful to having been a part of this academy for roughly 2 years. I dearly miss it and have no doubts anyone who cares about good jiu Jitsu will love it here.

Rarely am I inclined to post a review on a place that I frequent. After all there is a lot at…read morestake with posting an honest review; if people realize the exceptional quality of instruction and the feeling of family and support then more and more prospective students will show up. What happens then is unknown; a bigger jiu-jitsu "family" , more friends, and training partners to improve my bjj game? Who knows? So I must choose my words carefully... here it goes... Marcelo Garcia Dallas is simply the bast place to train in Dallas TX. It is not uncommon to see instructors from other schools coming in to catch a lesson from Rob. The cadre of instructors is more than capable of covering a wide range of bjj styles, from old school to the new school with leg and ankle attacks. I am constantly impressed with all the different approaches the students have. It is easy to find a favorite training partner in any class and the owner does a great job of encouraging a sense of family. If you can judge the quality of an instructor by his/ her students then MGD instructors are "top shelf". Oh, they even have a "Ladies only" class taught by the toughest women on planet earth. There an honest review.