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 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!!!

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.

I have been attending Brazilian Jujitsu Classes here for almost a year now and I can honestly say…read morethis has been my favorite fitness/training establishment. I wrestled in the past and I tried many Jujitsu establishments before I found this one. The coaches make the classes engaging and they break down the moves, so anyone at any skill level would be able to understand. Every training partner is friendly and welcoming. This place breeds positivity. Aloisio Silva also participated in tournaments/completion which gives you the option to scratch that competitive itch without making it mandatory for the students. My daughter isn't old enough to participate in the kids courses, but I often will see the kids Bjj classes end before the adult ones begin. It looks like a safe and fun environment. I will be enrolling my little one when she's grown some. If you're looking for a place to train I would highly recommend coming here!

Awesome place and Awesome coache. My wife found this place for my daughter and she's loved it ever…read moresince. She has been there for a few months that even I decided to also join. Coach Eric's instructions are very broken down and easy to follow. I never felt that he's pressured anyone or made anyone feel incapable. He actually has a very opposite effect and makes you feel like you can learn it all with time and practice. I'm glad my wife found this place. My daughter has improved a lot during her time here. She's just competed in the NAGA novice tournament and brought home first place in no-GI and second in GI. Really proud of her and the coaches for teaching her so well.

I visited here while traveling to Hutchins for work. This school is very new, and they have a great…read moreprofessor in Professor Arnaldo Rivera. The atmosphere here is great, and the instruction is top notch. I highly recommend this Gracie Barra location

Great place! Knowledgeable instructors, friendly staff and amazing facility! Look forward to my…read morenext class!

This school changed my life. I was in a really dark place last year. I wasn't living, I was just…read moreexisting and wondering why. I was following the path of least resistance, content with comfort. I don't think God wants us to be comfortable. Jesus certainly didn't live comfortably. This image doesn't show my spiritual growth but does provide a glimpse into it. I have a long way to go spiritually, but pushing myself physically has transferred into a stronger faith in Christ, serving my wife, kids and church. AKA, not being a lazy punk. I was barley making it through the day with two or three energy drinks before. I now have more sustained energy and focus with no energy drinks now. It was hard to talk my wife into jiu-jitsu because of the cost, but I knew I needed a competitive atmosphere. This before picture was taken right before I signed up. I have since augmented my training with weights and running

This gym feels more like a family than a gym. I haven't personally taken classes but my husband…read morehas. Just sitting on the sides, it's clear this gym is more than just a gym. It's a home. The people are so nice and friendly. There's so many kiddos in the kids classes and they're just as friendly and talented. The parents and spouses are so kind and welcoming. The coaches are so knowledgeable but still soft, warm, and inviting. I cannot recommend this gym enough for any age - toddlers through adults, and beginners through experienced athletes. There's something here for everyone! Morning and night classes. Gi and no Gi. Wrestling and Jiu Jitsu. Oh and there's a bakery stand from one of the members - fresh bread, cookies, and cinnamon rolls. There's even a cooler with frozen açaí bowls for a perfect after-roll snack. So grateful and blessed we're apart of this family!

Pros: some friendly members. Intense environment…read more Good workout. Cons: zero fundementals taught No warm ups Owner seems to favor experienced members only. They literally taught two moves that were for newbies and would not let me learn the advance move and moved to live rolling.