Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Best BJJ academy ever! Been training for 13 years and this is my BJJ home, everyone from professors to coaches to students, to staff are all amazing! Phillipe Della Monica is one of the best Jiu-​Jitsu professors in the world.

They charged me an extra month’s fee after I cancelled! Terrible customer service! When I first requested to cancel due to an injury, they did not respond. I had to send another request a week later. They finally responded and cancelled my membership and charged me for the next 30 days as agreed. But then they charged me AGAIN, after the 30 days was up. I found out that they cancelled my membership from my 2^nd cancellation request instead of my 1^st cancellation request in order to get an extra month’s fee out of me. I even sent them a snapshot of the original email with the time stamp, and they still claim to have lost my original email. We sent multiple emails back and forth where they asked me the same questions over and over and were basically toying with me, until they eventually flat out refused to give me a refund. How am I supposed to be held responsible for their poor response time and lack of email organization? The fact that I sent them a time stamped copy of the original email, and they still just blatantly refused to refund me shows me that these people are crooks. Stay away and try another gym! It’s all so sad because the coach I had was wonderful, and I really enjoyed the classes, but the owners clearly don’t care about the students. I wasn’t surprised to see several other reviews like this on their Unilocal page.

School is great!!! Now with Professor Philipe Della Monica and all the staff it’s super friendly and very nice place to train!!!

Best Martial Art school in OC. Great instructions and high level teachers. Every one is so friendly. Love this place.

Gracie Barra is a driving force in the Brazilian jiu jitsu and in people lives. Some back ground on me — I am a brown belt and have trained under Master Carlos, professor’s Marcio, Felipe, Otavio, più, etc. I train at the head quarters whenever possible and really value the interactions I have there. Gracie barra jiu jitsu, which is to be distinguished from Brazilian jiu jitsu because of Gracie barra schools follow Master Carlos Gracie Jr’s philosophies (as opposed to others in the Gracie family), has significantly change my life and in several ways I dare say «saved it». Gracie barra is known for being the biggest organization of Brazilian jiu jitsu schools… This is made possible through their impeccable organization! It’s idiotic to hear some people claiming having a standardized curriculum is a negative. I promise you there are a lot of extras the professor add in but use the specific curriculum to fill in any gaps.
The competition accomplishments of GB schools are far and wide. Roger Gracie, known as the best ever, trains under the red shield. Additionally, there are so many Gracie barras they can put on personal tournaments to allow students to get a feel before going into the more professional IBJJF tournament; which Carlos Gracie Jr. helped start to potentially make Bjj an Olympic sport one day! They have their general classes for everyone but if you want to be a competitor they have specific classes that are not on the schedule — ask the staff for this awesome bonus. Many time you can train and help prepare the best in the world for their upcoming competitions!
Yes, they have a third party billing company and it may takes some time to cancel your membership. However, this is the standard with any sort of business that require a membership. For example as far as I know, AT&T requires a breech of contract fee that is quite excessive — that is for a phone! Gracie barra tells you the terms up front and worked with me to freeze my membership when I had a motorcycle accident. They canceled my friend’s account with a simple doctors note — no excessive fee!
In short, many of my closest friends have been the men and women I trained with on the mats. But it took getting roughed up at times, and knowing when to be a good training partner. You can’t expect to get everything unless you give as much (explicitly — to be a part of the Gracie barra family your must be open, honest, and cordial.)
They make training for everyone — tough guys, tough girls — to the dabbler, philosopher, and even the toddler. You will be lucky to be a part of the team, take the intro class today!
See you on the mats!

Gracie Barra is the BEST!
You get an opportunity to learn from some of the most prolific fighters in the world.
Their class schedule is very accommodating and staff is friendly.

I’ve been training here since 2009 and have had a great experience. The Gracie Barra motto is «Jiu-​Jitsu for Everyone» and they genuinely live that and there is truly there is something for all types of people here:
BEGINNERS /​CASUAL BJJ PRACTITIONERS: If you’re just starting, they always make you feel welcome here. Whether you’re training casually or seriously, the academy has a diverse set of people with different skill sets to help and challenge you.
SERIOUS COMPETITORS: If you’re a serious competitor, there are always going to be a lot of higher belts in the regular classes. Most of the black belts and other competitors train in the morning from all over SoCal, so if you’re serious about competing, you’ll always be challenged here.
KIDS: Brearin is one of the best in the business when it comes to teaching the kids. He has a lot of energy and knows how to have fun, but he is good at keeping he kids focused on learning. Coach Rod is also awesome with the kids too. The curriculum itself is not just BJJ centric and teaches kids different life lessons as well.
WOMEN: Women are always welcome in the regular classes, but they also have a women’s program that is geared towards different aspects of BJJ.
TRAVELERS: When you sign up at one Gracie Barra, you can go to any of them worldwide. That way, you have no excuse not to train! There are a lot in the SoCal area alone and it’s also a good way to make sure you train with other people you’re not familiar with and don’t get too familiar with the same people.
OTHER NOTES:
There used to be a lot of issues with contracts, but they got rid of that and have flexible options.
Recently, One of our favorite professors was fired here. While it upset a lot of the students, BJJ legend Marcio Feitosa and Master Carlos themselves have been working diligently to get everything back on track.
The point is that they’re always working to improve the BJJ experience for you and you can’t ask for anything more out of a BJJ school.

This is my 4^th Jiu Jitsu Academy due to moving around the country and to Brazil and back and this is an outstanding jiu jitsu academy that teaches «real life» self defense the way that the Gracie family intended and proved was effective in countless open challenge matches. I cannot recommend highly enough this school led by Prof. Marcio Feitosa whether you are a business person, a child, or in the women’s program, you gain confidence, learn to defend yourself, and make some new friends. I have been to 4 different academies, trust me, this is the best.

UPDATE:
Since writing my prior review, management at Gracie Barra Irvine has changed, and the owner who caused the exodus of teachers and students has left. The original owner of Grace Barra Irvine (Professor Marcio) has returned, and most of the instructors have also returned.
We have returned to Gracie Barra Irvine, along with many of the other students, and we are happy to have our instructors and friends back. Professor Otavio, Coach Ray, and Coach Cole are sorely missed.

Great place to train the real Brazilian Jiu-​jitsu i started with Professor Marcio Feitosa and Master Carlos in Brazil 20 years ago, soon they move to states i moved to to keep learn from them today i represent the Gracie Barra Family in Cedar Park, Texas.
Great place for kids they will learn discipline and have better understand about health life style.
I wish i can keep train with them every day, at least i can go once a year and be a student again.
Thank you Master and Professor Marcio, you guys are changing people life

I am a Martial Arts practitioner for the last 32 years of my life, 20 of these 32 years have been dedicated to the art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, as a World Champion and Multiple Champion Jiu Jitsu Black Belt and an active BJJ Professor in Illinois, I can’t find no other place to update my skills and to drink from the «source» of Jiu Jitsu other than Gracie Barra Irvine, the HQs of the World Renowned Jiu Jitsu organization «GRACIE BARRA».
Besides an extremely clean, well run and organized facility Gracie Barra Irvine offers two mat areas and a full Official Gear pro Shop, changing rooms, and the most welcoming staff. The Building is in a historical location right of Sand Canyon Av.
The instruction is Second to none lead by one of the most prestigious Jiu Jitsu Black Belts of all times Prof. Marcio Feitosa who’s a 5^th degree Black Belt and the «Living Legend» son of the founder of the Art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Master Carlos Gracie Jr Red and Black Belt who’s also the president of the Gracie Barra organization makes Gracie Barra Irvine the best place to learn Self Defense, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and fitness.
Recently my wife and Children (5 and 6 years old) visited Irvine to learn directly from them and I couldn’t be happier with the technical instruction, care and professionalism the instructors and the staff of Gracie Barra Irvine demonstrated with my family. They had an amazing experience.
Don’t be surprised to bump into some of the most famous martial arts in the world who’s from time to time visit the school but also, children of all ages, parents, families and adults from all walks of life who come to learn at Gracie Barra Irivine.
In life I have a saying: «Don’t believe in what people say to you believe in what you see with your own eyes»
For this reason I recommend the Unilocal readers to go and check GB Irvine, They offer anyone a 100% free complimentary class. I can promise you wont regret that.
Carlos Lemos Jr

I had the pleasure to teach, train and learn at this school. They have the best instructors from Gracie Barra and a lot of World Champions go there to train and get ready for big tournaments. I totally recommend it for everyone that want to learn and live the lifestyle of Brazilian Jiu JItsu.

GB Irvine is where I began my jiu jitsu journey and I could not be happier. The professors and coaches are so welcoming and supportive. I am never worried about getting hurt here because they take care of their students. I have fallen in love with jiu jitsu at GB Irvine.
They have an amazing women’s class. Everyone is very kind and works very hard. We learn, we laugh, and we get a awesome sweat on! After just a little over four months of training, I walk around with more confidence knowing I have some self defense tools to protect myself. Jiu jitsu is an incredible art.
At GB Irvine, I have had the chance to train with numerous, legendary jiu jitsu practitioners. I feel so honored to be in the same room as them, let alone learn from them! I am so glad that I am able to go to this school and if you are able, you don’t want to miss out on what this school has to offer. Come in and check it out!

I had a lot of grate memoirs on that epic
School as my 1, 2 and 3 Degree on my Black Belt a lot of knowledge from Master Carlos Gracie. jr and all of the instructors who’re aways helpful kind and patient on my learn process. Love that place and if you guys went check it out you will feel like me blessed.

This school is amazing. The staff definitely makes me feel welcome every time I step in the door and the world-​class instructors are inspiring. Both my young son and I love training here.

The place to be for the best BJJ instructions. Either for simply learning BJJ or planning to join the competition world of BJJ. I also noticed they have the best instructors for the children classes. Prof. Brearin and Coach Rod inspire the kids to be their best inside or outside the mats. Also now, Prof. Feitosa and Master Carlos Gracie Jr. (son of the founder of BJJ himself) are now in charge of managing the place who stresses major foundations for each students in the art and in the sport. You can’t go wrong with that.

My home away from home!!! I love the feeling my 9 year old daughter and I get the moment we walk in, we are greeted with a friendly smile every time. I couldn’t be happier !! the best martial arts school in Irvine!

The school went through a rough patch for a while but professor Marcio is back and is bring back the GB HQ to what it should be, a landmark in the BJJ world.
After studying with a couple other BJJ instructors, it wasn’t until I met Marcio did I feel like I really found Jiu Jitsu. He’s one one the few Bjj instructors out there that is not only passionate about Jiu Jitsu but also very inspirational.
It feels good to be back on the mat Marcio.

My 4 year old son goes here and loves it.
They are really nice and in a good location.
They do month to month with no contracts and I highly recommend them.
They get the 2 RockStars stamp of approval.

We’ve been attending for two years and we loved every moment of it. Unfortunately our class schedule interrupted with swim so when we decided to stop going for a few months we hit a brick wall everybody should know about.
It is nearly IMPOSSIBLE to cancel here.
The process goes something like this, call them to cancel and they’ll tell you you’re in it for a year, NO EXCEPTIONS.
Okay, freeze my account the. They’ll tell you to email a third party who will auto-​respond with «Will respond to emails in 5 business days».
When they do respond after 5 days, it’s with an email and a form for you to fill out and of course a disclaimer that the form will process in 14 – 30 days.
Of course if they happen to bill you for an extra month’s payment… SOL.
This type of business chicanery is completely against everything they preach about the ideals of Brazilian Jujitsu.
So be warned, the instructors are great but their policies…