What Makes the Gracie Barra Community Different?

From the outside, most martial arts gyms look alike—vast matted floors and students dressed in gis, the traditional martial arts uniform, with various belt colors.

What you cannot see from the outside is the community that is being built inside, by every professor and every student no matter their level of expertise. Community is what sets any martial arts gym apart, and when it comes to Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) there is no stronger community than Gracie Barra.

So how is Gracie Barra different from other martial arts communities, even other Brazilian jiu-jitsu gyms?

Foundation Built on Family

Gracie Barra was founded by Carlos Gracie Jr. in 1986 with the help and support of his extensive family, who were also practitioners. Looking at the early photos, it becomes immediately clear that the value of jiu-jitsu training lies in multiple generations coming together to train. Learn more about the history of BJJ and Gracie Barra here.

Carlos Gracie Jr. once said, “My students are an extension of my family. I want each of them to achieve their personal best while helping spread jiu-jitsu.”

After more than 35 years, the Gracie Barra community is still built on that family-first foundation of shared experiences. Walk into Gracie Barra and you will still see families—friends, children, parents, even grandparents—training among each other or cheering each other along their BJJ journey. You will see young children gaining confidence and developing motor skills. You will see older adults working to keep their bodies healthy and minds sharp. You will see students cheering each other on with fist bumps for a job well done. You will hear laughter, feel the excitement and see a positive, uplifting community built on a shared outlook of personal growth.

Jiu-Jitsu For Everyone

Due in part to the growing popularity of MMA (mixed martial arts) and UFC competitions, a common misconception about jiu-jitsu is that its focus rests solely on combat. Mentioning jiu-jitsu to the average person may conjure a picture of two bloodied fighters battling it out in an octagon. The reality of BJJ is far different.

While early Gracie Barra gyms were stringently competitive environments, modern BJJ and Gracie Barra in particular have opened their doors to invite everyone to learn the art of Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Yes, everyone.

Kids

From learning self-defense techniques to prevent bullying to gaining an overall sense of self-confidence, there are documented benefits of jiu-jitsu for children, boys and girls alike. This extends to learning how to work together and communicate with a partner, making friends in shared experiences, developing life-long fitness habits, and learning patience as little ones eagerly anticipate earning their next belt stripe.

Adults

So many of us give up trying new things as we age. But the Gracie Barra training curriculum is curated to accommodate every student. This applies to a new white belt on their first day or an advanced black belt with decades of experience. Men and women of all ages are invited at any time to walk on the Gracie Barra mat for the first time. You will begin building the groundwork for BJJ skills from day one with no prerequisites or athletic talent required.

The best part for adults is they also experience the same learning benefits offered to kids—teamwork, communication, social development, fitness, and patience. Gracie Barra’s comprehensive curriculum is designed for the entire family, without exception.

Learn more about what “Jiu-Jitsu For Everyone” means here.

Time-Tested Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Practices

While Gracie Barra was officially founded in 1986, the Gracie jiu-jitsu school first opened back in 1925 by the Gracie brothers Carlos Sr., Hélio, Oswaldo, Gastao Jr., and George, and the curriculum began to take shape. Given nearly 100 years to hone its program, Gracie Barra now offers a highly refined pathway for all students.

As the only local gym to adhere to this curriculum, Gracie Barra Jacksonville offers students the advantage of cultivating their BJJ skills based on the proven techniques developed by Carlos Gracie and his brothers, and later his children and grandchildren.

Gracie Barra Jacksonville is veteran-owned and family-focused, offering each and every student the opportunity to achieve their personal best in an environment of encouragement and support.

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Try a free jiu-jitsu class at Gracie Barra Jacksonville and you will see what truly sets us apart. Check out our programs including children’s and adult classes, as well as kickboxing and wrestling. Click here to schedule a trial class for you, your child or anyone in your family.