Charles Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy of Reno

This is an excellent place to train! I visit Reno every other week on business and drop-​in whenever I can. Gary and all of his students are VERY welcoming, friendly, and willing to share knowledge. The students I’ve rolled with ALL have solid technique and are tough as nails, a direct reflection of the top-​notch instruction that Gary provides. If you’re in the Reno area, I can’t recommend this place highly enough.

This the best place to train Brazilian jiu jitsu in Reno and the surrounding area. Gary’s instruction is second to none and the atmosphere is very friendly and welcoming. Lots of mat space and very clean.

Gary and the members of this team treated me like family. Very high level Jiu Jitsu players all very willing to share their knowledge. I hate that I was only in Reno for a few months. Great place to learn and train.

I’ve been training at this Academy for over two years along with my girlfriend and two of my sons. I enjoy the casual yet respectful atmosphere. As far as the quality of the Brazilian/​Gracie JiuJitsu instruction… I believe that there is none better in the Northern Nevada area. Gary Grate and his wife Ady (also a student) are awesome people that really care about their students and I believe that they go the extra mile to make the classes informative, fun and safe.
I appreciate the opinion of the other person posting their review on this site but the comments about the younger guys with something to prove I feel is a little exaggerated! I would like to remind anyone considering training in Gracie/​Brazilian JiuJitsu that a big part of learning the art is the actual application of the techniques that you are learning by a process referred to as «rolling». In other words… after the technique (s) part of the class… the mat is opened to allow fellow practitioners to spar (roll) with each other. This type of sparring generally starts with both opponents on their knees and facing each other. For the most part I would say that most students are only exerting about 75% effort in an attempt to apply the techniques they have learned to submit or «tap out» their opponent. Of course since it’s JiuJitsu… that probably involves applying a wide variety of «moves» including chokes, arm bars, joint locks, etc. If you are put in a less than pleasant position while rolling… you can always «tap out» and start over.
Also, from my experience… rarely do you meet a much better and more proficient student who is highly motivated to hand you your ass. Most of the better and higher ranked students apply just enough technique to remind you who is a more efficent practitioner of the «gentle art»!. It is of course a competitive atmosphere to a degree, but in my opinion that helps you improve your conditioning and technique. I also might add that the «rolling» part of the training is what makes practitioners so effective in real life self defense situations and also why you hear stories of blue and purple belts in BJJ routinely defeating so called black belts in other martial arts! (Google it!)
There have been more that a few times that I have left the Academy with mat burns on my face and some sore muscles. To me that’s not a problem because I’m not playing ping pong! I made a choice to study and learn what has been proven time and time again to be the single most effective form of self defense on the planet… Gracie/​Brazilian JiuJitsu!
The only minor hindrance I am aware of in regard to training at this Academy is that it is shared with a Muay Thai School. I have no problem with the art, instructors or students (they are all very nice decent people)… however sometimes during the JiuJitsu classes the sounds of the intense Muay Thai training going on behind us can at times drown out the instructors on the JiuJitsu side. In my opinion it’s a small price to pay and it also reminds you that you are training with and around real legit fighters… on both sides of the fence!

I only have half a review because we have only really been there twice. We walked in to ask about classes for our son and we were quickly welcomed. The man that spoke to us did not try to «sell» us on the program. He really answered our questions and we were invited to have our son (8 yrs old) try one week free to see if he liked it. There was no pressure and the man was very friendly.
Our son tried the Jiu-​Jitsu class for the first time today and he loved it! The other kids in the class were well behaved and the instructor enforced a very good, gentle discipline among her students. He now wants to try the Muay Tai class as well.
I don’t know if our son will want to keep with it, we hope he does but so far Gracie Jiu-​Jitsu has made a wonderful and welcoming first impression. I will likely make a second rating after we see how classes go during the coming weeks.

Best place to learn BJJ in Reno. Gary is a 2^nd degree black belt under Charles Gracie. Friendly atmosphere for those wanting to try BJJ as a hobby while maintaining competitiveness for those interested in competing. Offers cross-​fit, muay Thai, boxing, mma, wrestling, & judo.