Wondering what are the top Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gyms in the world?
Have you ever been to a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gym that is famous or known worldwide? Or a gym owned by one of the best BJJ instructors and practitioners?
Gyms are where your journey in BJJ starts and continue to progress. It is a place where you can freely and safely do BJJ.
For this reason, you deserve a great and the best gym to be in that will help you in your BJJ lifestyle.
This post has gathered and listed the Top 12 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gyms worldwide known for their high-quality teaching and instructors.
This list is also for understanding what characteristics and standards you should look for when choosing your gym.
Let’s discover and see them all here!
How to find an excellent Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Gym
To find or choose a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gym that can be good for you, you must first know the factors you like most and the ones that meet your needs and level.
It might require a significant time and financial investment. Thus, it is essential to take into consideration the following factors:
- The gym’s specialization- particularly Gi or No-Gi BJJ
- How comfortable are you with the place or environment
- Great peers
- Available classes or programs that suit your level and age
- Class schedules
- Distance from your home
- Instructors/coaches
- Cost of membership
- The gym’s rules and guidelines
You can also do some research on the internet for more information. It is also essential to check the gym or the place and feel the atmosphere and culture yourself.
With this list and reasons, you can surely pick the ones that stand out the most and choose the BJJ gym for you.
Renzo Gracie Academy in New York City, New York USA
Renzo Gracie is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA practitioner and belongs to the Gracies family in Brazil.
The family’s impact on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu can be seen in how the sport developed in the 20th century, where they refined and created some Jiu-Jitsu techniques and principles.
Renzo has achieved the 7th Degree Black Belt BJJ rank and is a head coach of his academy and is known as one of the best in the world.
This academy teaches BJJ for all ages and levels, learning fundamentals, techniques, and uses of this martial art style.
Another head coach in this academy is John Danaher, another renowned BJJ teacher, and practitioner known for training and producing great practitioners in No-Gi BJJ, his death squad.
Here is a video showing what happens inside the Renzo Gracie Academy.
Tri-Star Gym in Montreal, Quebec, CA
Firas Zahabi is a Canadian martial artist who owns Tristar Gym.
He is widely considered one of the top mixed martial arts (MMA) and Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) trainers globally. He has trained some notable fighters like Georges St-Pierre. He is the head instructor at the gym he founded and currently manages.
Zahabi had training at the Renzo Gracie Academy under the guidance of John Danaher. He also gave him the title of the black belt there.
After that, he instructed the practitioners in the BJJ methods he had mastered at his gym in Canada.
The Tri-Star Gym does not only provide BJJ and grappling lessons but also includes other martial art styles. These includes:
- Wrestling
- Muay Thai
- Boxing
Here’s a short video clip that shows you around the Tri-Star Gym
B-Team in Austin, Texas USA
Craig Jones, a member of John Danaher’s death squad, created his fitness center and called it the B-Team after they split ways.
Nicky Ryan, Nick Rodriguez, Ethan Crelensten, and Craig Jones himself make up the B Team. These four individuals are also the coaches at the gym.
Craig relocated to Austin, Texas, in the year 2021, and it was there that he established B-Team.
A high level of instruction is provided in wrestling, submission grappling, and no-gi BJJ that will help you utilize great techniques at the gym specializing in Jiu-Jitsu.
Check out B-Team’s Instagram for more info: https://www.instagram.com/bteamjj/?hl=en
ATOS HQ in San Diego, California, USA
BJJ legend Andre Galvao (IBJJF World Champion) is responsible for establishing Atos Jiu-Jitsu. The fitness center franchise’s headquarters is located in California.
Jiu-jitsu instructors are very experienced and patient people willing to help you improve in BJJ. It makes no difference in Atos either the age of the pupil or the present level of their skill set.
When the student is willing to learn, so is the instructor to teach.
Atos offers a wide range of classes in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, ranging from the primary and fundamental techniques to the more advanced ones.
Here is a video showing you the Atos HQ and the founder, Andre Galvo.
Gracie Academy in Torrance, California, USA
The Gracie Academy serves as the headquarters for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
This HQ is headed by instructors Ryron Gracie and Rener Gracie.
This gym teaches you fundamentals and imposes confidence on its practitioners in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. They enable a person to make someone submit despite the difference in strength and size through the methods they have created and modified.
The Gracie Academy provides classes for students of all ages, gender, and skill levels, emphasizing promoting Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as a form of self-defense.
In addition, they are about to offer law enforcement courses for the military, responders, and law enforcers.
You can check this video to see what’s inside and the happenings at the Gracie Academy.
East Coast Jiu Jitsu in Dublin, Ireland
The well-known and one of the best Jiu Jitsu academies in Ireland and the world is the East Coast Jiu Jitsu, established by 2nd Degree Black Belt Darragh O Conaill.
Their beginner’s course is cycled so that all students begin together at the same level. They also have different categories for kids, teens, beginners, and advanced.
This academy teaches Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to help you develop from being a beginner until you become an advanced practitioner with the appropriate techniques and strategies for your level.
The video below is from the official YouTube channel of the East Cost Jiu-Jitsu Academy to shows you what they do in their classes.
Art of Jiu Jitsu in Costa Mesa, California, USA
The Art of Jiu Jitsu Academy resulted from a collaboration between the Mendes Brothers, Guilherme, and Rafael Mendes, and RVCA founder PM Tenore in July 2012.
This academy was founded to contribute positively to the local communities through Jiu Jitsu.
They provide and put a primary emphasis on providing instruction of the finest quality in Jiu-Jitsu. Also, they offer a location with a beautiful ambiance and a traditional and contemporary setting where you train.
To see what we’re talking about, check this video out.
Marcelo Garcia Academy in New York City, New York, USA
Marcelo Garcia is a highly respected and looked-after practitioner and instructor in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Submission Grappling.
His academy, the Marcelo Garcia Academy, is located at the heart of New York City and a great place to train.
Programs for kids, beginners, and advanced learners are offered, and a friendly environment and amenities to students of all backgrounds and ages.
The academy has highly qualified instructors with many years of experience teaching BJJ.
Legion Jiu Jitsu in San Diego California, USA
Legion Jiu Jitsu is a professional academy established by Keenan Cornelius, known as the most accomplished brown belter but later got his black belt from Andre Galvao.
This five-star academy renders a five-week beginner’s course to help you start and learn gradually in Jiu-Jitsu with your fellow beginners and advanced lessons.
They offer world-class training and classes for ages four and up and different levels, and the students are taught by experienced instructors that are great in the field of Jiu-Jitsu.
The gym values beginners’ growth in the sport and helps them every step of the way.
Here is a video of a tour in the Legion HQ by Keenan Cornelius himself.
10th Planet in San Diego, California, USA
Jiu-jitsu training is provided by Richie “Boogeyman” Martinez, who was one of the fasted people to achieve his black belt ever (at 3 years 11 months) – it was given by Eddie Bravo who created the 10th Planet system and chain of gyms.
This gym provides No-Gi Jiu Jitsu instruction of the best quality for students of all skill levels.
Suppose your objective is to start learning Jiu-Jitsu, use it as an exercise, stay fit, or prepare for a competition. In that case, the 10th Planet will guide you and cater to those needs.
Aside from Jiu-Jitsu, they also teach the following martial art style:
- Boxing
- Kickboxing
- Judo
- MMA
Checkmat HQ in Long Beach, California, USA
Checkmat is an international Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu team and organization with its headquarters in Long Beach, California, in the United States.
It is headed by Master Leo Vieira, who has a black belt in both Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at the 5th degree.
If you’re looking for top-notch Brazilian jiu-jitsu training, go no further than Checkmat Headquarters, with instructors who have proved their skills in the sport.
From their perspective, the training should include more than simply grappling and fighting; practitioners should also focus on personal growth and developing discipline.
Their programs involve BJJ for all ages, fitness training, and competition BJJ.
Roger Gracie Academy in London, UK
Roger Gracie, a ten (10) time Jiu-Jitsu world champion and grandson of Carlos Gracie, instituted this academy named after him.
Roger Gracie Academy’s primary area of emphasis is teaching Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s core or fundamental techniques. At the same time, they ensure enjoyment and comfort to the practitioners in their gyms.
Gracie gathered a group of Jiu-Jitsu teachers with the best possible standard for teaching.
They are responsible for passing on the Jiu-Jitsu technique developed by the Gracie family.
Classes include Gi and No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu, Kids’ Martial Arts, and Kickboxing.
Top 12 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Gyms in the World – Conclusion
If you’re looking for the best Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training in the world, look no further. We’ve compiled a list of the top 12 BJJ gyms, plus a few up and coming academies that are worth watching.
Of course, this is just a starting point – your experience at any gym will depend on the instructor, the other students, and your own drive to learn.
But we hope this gives you a good place to start your search for the perfect BJJ home. And if you’re curious about how we picked these schools, keep reading – we’ll explain our methodology below.
Do you have what it takes to train at one of these elite academies? If so, get in touch with us for a free consultation – we can help connect you with the best Brazilian Jiu Jitsu coaches in the world.
Thanks for reading, and see you at the next one!
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