This is an amazing Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Academy. The school…read moreis gorgeous, always clean, great energy and the staff is super welcoming and friendly. Professor Henrique is a very thorough instructor and the classes are lots of fun! I am very thankful for Gracie Barra Charleston as there are no other schools in the area nearly as high level as this. I highly recommend!

Outstanding Experience at Gracie Barra! My 6-year-old has been taking Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at Gracie…read moreBarra, and we couldn't be happier. The staff is amazing, and the instructors are incredibly skilled--not just at teaching techniques on the mat, but also at building confidence, discipline, and respect that carries over into everyday life. They truly pay attention to each student's individual capabilities, which makes a huge difference. I've recommended this class to everyone I know who's even thinking about trying jiu-jitsu. Highly, highly recommend!

As someone who has had the privilege to live in a few major cities and travel to smaller ones for…read morework, I have trained at many Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gyms across the United States. Generally speaking, each gym will vary in instruction quality, class availability, mat space, and student dynamics. After a year of training at Folly Jiu Jitsu, I can safely say that this gym excels in all four areas. The instructors here come from various backgrounds and have complementing skill sets. It's your first day and you have never set a foot on the mat before? Perfect. You want to get better at judo? Say no no more. Wrestling? Easy. Leg locks? Maybe even easier. Every instructor here has a knack for communicating and is well-equipped to teach you at whatever stage you are in your BJJ journey with a genuine smile on their face. Class availability is one of FJJ's strong suits: you can attend classes as early as 6am or late as 6pm, whatever works best for your schedule. The great part about this set up is you can easily join another class in the event you miss your typical session or if you are just looking to switch things up. Having a diverse set of talented instructors available throughout the day helps to keep your grappling mind and skills fresh. The gym used to be a former firehouse, which allows for an incredibly large mat space (one of the biggest I've personally trained on), and is kept meticulously clean by the staff. The overhead honeycomb lighting is a nice artistic touch and the gym is equipped with locker rooms and showers. As someone who has trained in a few crowded small gyms, having all of this space to move around in is incredible. As an extension of the instructors, the students here are very welcoming and all are at different stages of their jiu jitsu journey. There is a healthy mix of beginners, intermediate, and advanced practitioners in any of the classes one might attend; more importantly, everyone is looking to learn and help each other learn day in and day out. All in all, this gym has a lot to offer to anyone at any chapter of their jiu jitsu journey. From the casual beginner to the seasoned competitor, there is always something for someone to learn here. Whether you are looking to start Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for the first time or just visiting Charleston, swing by Folly Jiu Jitsu and you will be welcomed with open arms.

Been training here for almost a year and I love it. Great safe and fun environment to learn top…read moretier jiu jitsu.

NO WARMUPS. I was sold at zero warm-ups. No bowing to a picture of helio on the wall no weird stuff…read morelike calling the instructor Professor or sensie. This has by far the highest quality of students anywhere in Charleston. My last coach told me I was almost ready to get promoted and I was feeling cocky about my skills. I dropped into a class there one days and was getting submitted at will by thier bluebelts and some of thier whitebelts. It was then that I knew if I cared more about winning and being the best then I did about getting a blue belt it was time to change schools There is no bowing in or out of class which means the rolling stops when nobody can go any longer. They roll more here than any school I've ever been to. They have top of the line Fuji mats and the owner keeps the mats very very clean. If you want to get really good this is the school to go to. Just tonight we had a blackbelt from another school come here to train for his ADCC run with the purple belt here who medal at worlds last year. Best part is everyone here is cool respectful and pushes you to get better

Great gym, just moving into Charleston I was looking for something similar to my old gym a more…read morelaxed less formal type of gym that works both nogi and gi pretty even, I feel like these type of schools are very effective for learning and getting better. The Instructor I met was very down to earth and chill which I think also helps with the improvement of students. Definitely recommend if your a beginner or just looking for a different place to train -Robert

As real as it gets. Learning from someone who grew up in Brazil with the Gracie's and Pedro Sauer!…read more LEGIT.

Such a nice gym! The owner and training partners were all super safe, kind, and great attention &…read morehelp with skills! Really can't wait to come back, a shame I don't live here!

From the owner: Mindstate is dedicated to providing high-quality BJJ training to students of all ages and skill…read morelevels. Our experienced instructors are passionate about helping each student reach their full potential, both on and off the mat. Whether you are looking to improve your fitness, learn self-defense, or compete at the highest level, we have a program that is right for you. Come visit us today and experience the MindState Jiu Jitsu and Movement difference!

Welcoming, Professional, and World-Class Instruction…read more I was in Charleston for work and dropped in for a class at Gracie Barra Charleston -- and I'm so glad I did. From the moment I walked in, Professor Fabio Alves and the team made me feel like family. The atmosphere was incredibly welcoming, respectful, and positive. Even as a visitor, I was treated like part of the team. Professor Fabio ran a fantastic class with clear instruction, great energy, and technical depth that reflects his high-level experience. The facility was clean, organized, and full of good vibes. Whether you're local or just passing through, this is a must-visit gym for anyone serious about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Highly recommend and looking forward to coming back next time I'm in town!

Such a great atmosphere to learn and grow in! Very clean and comfortable too. There is a kids area…read moreso my kids can go and play when I am training. The instructors are great and very knowledgeable. They are extremely patient with my 101 questions. My partners here are wonderful! I couldn't ask for a better place to grow in.

This is an excellent gym for learning mixed martial arts. It is led and owned by a veteran of the…read moreUS Navy who is totally committed to his gym, winning multiple awards and championships. This is A great locally owned business centrally located in Summerville.

The lowball reviews seem a little simplistic . I've known Dwight for a number of years now, and…read moretook his classes until I was in a wreck. He's an awesome instructor and knows how to run a business. He supports the community from law enforcement to women's defense, to fund raisers supporting the military. As with any business that has a monthly membership, it's assumed you're attending unless you cancel your membership in person. Even Planet Fitness requires you to cancel in person. Instruction-wise, he's had a number of students go on to win first place at the many competitions he requires his students to attend before being promoted to a new belt. You don't have to compete at all of the competitions, but you do need to compete at one. I'm good with this because a competition is the only place a fighter can fight a total stranger, which is usually the main reason a person wants to get into a self defense class in the first place. He teaches legitimate self-defense. This isn't an after-school self esteem building school for your kid. Whether you're a child or an adult, you're going to be fighting each other and learning how to put knuckles on foreheads.