Best Jiujitsu Classes

We chose Gracie Barra as best overall due to the number of training centers in the United States and the programs available for levels from beginner to black belt for ages 3 to adult. 

Gracie Barra Jiujitsu earns the best overall spot because of the range of programs and locations and the ability to take classes online if going in person is not feasible. Founded by Carlos Gracie Jr., the first school opened in 1986 in the city of Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, and in 2005, the first Gracie Barra school opened in the U.S. in Irvine, California. 

The facility offers leveled training programs based on your experience. If you’re new to jiujitsu, start with the Fundamentals program, which teaches the basic principles of Gracie Barra jiujitsu along with self-defense. The next step is Advanced jiujitsu, which teaches effective take-down techniques, transitions, competition prep, and more. Once you’ve mastered those levels, you’re ready for the last stage—the Black Belt program.

The Kids program has three levels: Little Champions I (3-6 years old), Little Champions II (7-9 years old), and Juniors and Teens (10-14 years old). Gracie Barra also teaches specialty classes for women. 

Depending on the location, classes meet Monday through Saturday, with different levels scheduled each day and are taught by a certified Gracie Barra Black Belt instructor. Monthly tuition varies and depends on the location. In general, it ranges from $120 to $180 a month per person. Several studios offer discounted tuition if more than one person from the family enrolls in classes. Gracie Barra provides in-person and online classes. The Gracie Barra Online program offers comprehensive training programs that range in price from $97 to $147 for a one-time fee or about $25 per month.

Marcelo Garcia In Action is one of the best online jiujitsu programs available. With more than 5,000 video lessons, students of all levels can improve their skills by learning both the theory and practice of jiujitsu.

Designed by Josh Waitzkin, a Brazilian jiujitsu Black Belt and co-founder of the Marcelo Garcia Academy in New York City, Marcelo Garcia in Action (MGinAction) is an online-only training program for grapplers of any level looking to improve their Brazilian jiujitsu skills from anywhere in the world. Brazilian jiujitsu focuses primarily on ground grappling.

The training database contains more than 5,000 videos covering skills such as top and bottom position drills, sweeps, a collar choke, a swing single leg takedown with collar grip, a hook sweep, and much more. Training online with this program allows students the ability to watch and rewatch a technique until they understand and master it —and Marcelo Garcia teaches most of the classes. 

For only $25 per month, you get unlimited access to the best grappling training and Brazilian jiujitsu techniques on your time. Plus, the program allows you to customize your homepage to create a collection of videos specific to your needs and goals so you don’t have to sort through thousands of videos to replay the ones you like the best.

The Checkmat Kids Martial Arts program provides a safe, secure, and fun environment for kids of all ages and abilities to learn the basics of Brazilian jiujitsu.

At a Checkmat gym, kids of all ages and abilities can learn basic Brazilian jiujitsu skills and techniques while also learning respect for others, communication, teamwork, determination, perseverance, confidence, and focus. On the physical side, they will build coordination, strength, speed, agility, flexibility, and athleticism.

Through the Checkmat’s Kids Martial Arts program, kids are taught how to defend themselves against bullies and how to react in intimidating situations. While the physical, hands-on aspect of Brazilian jiujitsu is a core concept in this program, children first will learn how to face down a bully with noncontact conflict resolution strategies before defending themselves physically. 

Checkmat is an international academy and competition team headquartered in Signal Hill-Long Beach, California. Most instructors are black belt level, but specific experience and levels depend on each facility. It’s best to ask about instructor training and experience before signing up. 

Locations that offer the Kids Martial Arts program typically schedule one-hour classes daily, Monday through Friday. Pricing is monthly and varies by location, with the average cost around $140 for unlimited classes.

The Basics Program offered by the Art of Jiu Jitsu gives new students an excellent overview and foundation in jiujitsu techniques, skills, and theory.

The Art of Jiu Jitsu School was founded in 2012 by the multiple-time world champion Mendes Brothers and Pm Tenore, founder of RVCA sports apparel. The trio wanted to build a world-class school in traditional and stylish gyms that focus only on jiujitsu. While the school offers programs to all levels, the Basics Program for beginners gives new students an excellent overview and strong foundation in positions and situations, core concepts, beginner techniques, and mobility and agility drills.

The Basics Program has daily classes, Monday through Friday, for one hour, with options in the morning and evening. The gym environment is friendly, supportive, and open. Pricing for the Basics Program, as well as other in-person classes, is vague; contact the academy to learn about specific costs per class.

Students who can’t make it to the Costa Mesa location can enroll in the online program. For $25 per month (or $250 annually), the online program gives you access to basic, fundamental, and advanced techniques, attacks, defense and escapes, positional studies, and Gi and NOGI techniques. You do not have to be a member of the academy to enroll in the online program.

Gracie University has a wide range of classes and programs catering to all levels and numerous training center locations.

Gracie University provides students of all ages and abilities access to numerous programs, classes, and seminars. The Certified Gracie Jiujitsu Training Centers (CTCs) are authorized to teach the Gracie University method of self-defense. Once you enroll with a CTC, you’ll receive free access to Gracie University’s online curriculum, so you can take classes in-person and at home. Plus, your monthly membership allows you to train at any CTC for up to 30 days free of charge.

In addition to CTCs, Gracie University also has Gracie Garages located throughout the country. These were designed to make the curriculum available to areas that do not have a CTC, allowing students to still practice Gracie Jiujitsu in-person with a group following the Gracie University curriculum.

The subscription plans offered by Gracie University range from $35 to $165 per month. These plans often are on sale, dropping the price to $20 to $99 per month. At the high end is the VIP program, which gives you unlimited access to all Gracie University features and classes. The Unlimited Plan is the best value and most popular option. The website details each plan and features along with monthly and annual costs.

Atos Jiujitsu HQ offers advanced programs to black belt-leveled students who wish to excel in a supportive and challenging environment.

Atos Jiu-Jitsu HQ is a world-class training facility in San Diego. The facility is led by Andre Galvao, regarded as one of the top Brazilian jiujitsu competitors of all time in Gi and No-Gi. Atos Jiu-Jitsu HQ has a wide variety of classes, from fundamental to advanced and also offers kids', women’s, and masters' classes.

If you’re looking specifically for classes requiring a black belt, check out the Advanced program. This challenging series of classes give students an in-depth exploration of more advanced jiujitsu techniques. The classes focus on attacks, defensive techniques, and escapes from every position. Advanced classes are part of the daily schedule, Monday through Friday, and last about 90 minutes. 

Prices are on the high end and there is no discount for kids: The unlimited month-to-month membership costs $350 per month. If you sign a 12-month contract, this price drops to about $200 per month.

If you want to train with Atos but don’t live in San Diego, consider trying Atos BJJ On Demand which allows you to stream classes at home. Subscriptions cost about $25 per month, with discounts for annual plans. In addition, you’ll have access to the entire Atos library, which includes more than 10,000 hours of content. Programs are available for kids and adults.

Students looking to learn Brazilian jiujitsu while getting an excellent workout will like the fitness-focused environment of the UFC Gym.

Founded in 2009, UFC Gyms are an extension of the global sports brand Ultimate Fighting Championship and focused on fitness inspired by mixed martial arts (MMA). In addition to Brazilian jiujitsu, UFC Gym locations offer MMA-inspired classes; youth programs designed to develop coordination, agility, speed, and strength; and group fitness classes.

The Brazilian jiujitsu classes include Level 0 introduction, women only, youth, and advanced classes. Classes focus on the foundations and begin with basic techniques and advance with practice. Instructors' credentials and experience vary. Coaches and instructors are elite athletes, and most gyms use personal trainers to help members in group fitness classes but employ skilled and often black-belt level instructors for Brazilian jiujitsu classes.

Other classes and martial arts programs offered at UFC Gyms include kickboxing, boxing, HIIT, Muay Thai, and MMA. Plus, most have specific wrestling, sparring, and No Gi jiujitsu classes. Prices vary by location but average about $69 per month with a $99 initial fee. (This generally is for access to one club.) You can upgrade for about $20 more per month and receive access to all UFC Gyms.

UFC Gym also has an online program called UFC Fit On the Go, giving you access to livestream classes, video on demand, online personal training, and nutrition help. This is a subscription service, and the membership is about $10 per month.

Gracie Combatives Beginner Program is an in-depth course covering the most critical skills in self-defense.

Gracie Combatives self-defense program is an in-depth course covering 36 core techniques of Brazilian jiujitsu. Offered by Gracie University, this beginner-friendly program teaches one ground and one standing self-defense technique during each lesson. You can expect to learn positions like leg hook takedown, trap and roll escape, elbow escape, straight armlock, leg takedown, double leg takedown, and many more. Each class is one hour in length, for a total of 36 hours. Upon successful completion of the program, you can earn the Gracie Combatives Belt.

The curriculum is linear, so it’s best to take the lessons in the prescribed sequence. In addition to the 36-hour class, the Gracie Combatives class comes with a 65-page self-defense handbook.

If you plan on taking the entire 36-hour course, you can pay a one-time fee of $189, which gives you access to the lessons forever. The Combatives program is available online and in person. If you enroll at a Certified Training Center, you’ll also receive a free subscription to Gracie University Online.