Gracie Barra Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu

Don’t be intimidated!
The coaching staff here are amazing and friendly. They carefully, slowly explain everything and then give you pointers while you’re drilling. Even the other students are extraordinarily helpful!
The last half of the class you spend rolling with another student, using the drills you learned in the first half (ideally, ha). Strongly recommend this school!

Despite being on the younger side for the kids classes, our son loves it here. I’m glad to see that the instructors are firm but friendly with the kids. They expect respect and focus, but know how to balance things well for the shorter attention spans. The kids in the classes all seem to respond really well here as things are kept fun but challenging.

Trying out new things and decided I needed to learn a martial art something I’ve wanted to do since I was a child. I’m currently taking the self-​defense classes for women and at the end of the month I plan to go all out and start BJJ. I also tried one of BJJ classes and it was good as well. It was men only that night but I do know there are two other women that train as well. The dojo is nice and the teachers like Gersen are patient and great. I definitely suggest trying this dojo out if you’re interested in BJJ. Carina also has a class for strength and flexibility which is an amazing work out. I love it as well. There maybe another class for women in the works which would be awesome.

Professor Maycon Carvalho is an amazing instructor and LEGIT black belt. There’s no ego at this academy and everyone’s always willing to help you up your jits game. I honestly can’t say enough good things about GBSM and it’s students. Oss!

My first timing training at a Gracie Barra facility. The course was on Fundamentals. We started with practice drills/​exercises such as jumping jacks, pull ups (chokes), push ups, and bridges.
Next, we partnered up and did three sets of BJJ drills on a timer.
Finally, the last round was a practice fight where the goal is to either submit your partner or flip them over.
The class was very respectful (approx 7 guys, 2 girls including myself, and 1 child) and Professor Maycon was a gentle fighting machine with great coaching skills. Definitely recommended for all ages/​types!

I absolutely love this place. I’ve been going here off and on since Jan 2014, and the other BJJ gyms I’ve been to just can’t compare. I started out here as a total beginner to martial arts much less BJJ, and I was pretty nervous — but Professor Maycon and Kevin are so patient and helpful, and everyone made me feel so at home! BJJ is such an awesome workout and this gym makes it worth every penny.
I’ve seen the Saturday kids class a bunch of times, and those kids are always beyond excited to be there. I’d recommend everyone try out the programs here — female, male, beginner, expert, whoever you are you’ll love it!

Great facility (has showers).
Instruction is top notch, Professor Maycon and Coach Kevin really care about their students.
Whether you’re a beginner or long time practitioner you’ll feel at home here!

Just signed up today after free two session for my 4 year old son. He was first hesitant, but the second session closed the deal.

Having wanted to try BJJ for many years, and having friends who did, I never found the time. But after moving to Santa Monica I biked past Gracie Barra on 4^th, walked inside right before a class, and was invited to join in. I singed up afterwards and three months later, well, yeah I’m hooked. Best workout ever? Time on the Mats!

Gracie Barara Santa Monica is the best BJJ gym in all of California. Professor Maycon and Coach Paul are incredible instructors and really aim to make every student feel like a part of the family. This gym is great for all types of students. Being a girl I was a little hesitant, but after my first month at GB Santa Monica I knew this was a lifestyle I could never give up. Starting as a beginner, they were so patient and helpful through my training. Professor aims to help each student, no matter their gender or age, exceed their full potential. Not only has it been great for my mind, but my body has transformed since training at GBSM. I have lost fat and gained muscle in all of the right places! My only warning to anyone starting at GBSM is expect to fall in love with the sport of Brazillian Jui Jitsu.

This is an absolutely incredible place to train jiu jitsu. The facilities are amazing and the mats are some of the cleanest I have ever seen. But more importantly, the instructors and students are all great. Professor Maycon and Professor Paul are great coaches, and I have never seen more supportive or better instruction given to those just beginning jiu jitsu. If you have ever thought of trying BJJ for the first time and want an ego-​less, fun, and supportive environment to give it a shot, this IS the place. That being said, with an elite level black belt and an amazing brown belt as the head instructors, more advanced students at any level will benefit from the great training and instruction. On top of all that, by joining GB SaMo you get to become a part of the storied Gracie Barra jiu jitsu family which is just an added bonus.
As a side note, my class starts right after the kids jiu jitsu classes, and I have never seen kids having more fun doing martial arts. I grew up doing karate as a kid and never really enjoyed it all that much from what I can recall. Without ever having experience with it myself, I can say that the kids program looks great. You can tell that the professors are great with the kids and the kids are having a great time.
Also, it’s location is awesome, it is literally like a block from the beach and steps off the promenade. And even though it is in such an expensive location, the pricing is really fair.

This place is amazing! The instructors are amazing and so are the students. Highly recommend checking them out!

Let me just say first off that I am very lucky to be able to train here. I have tried several martial arts and Jiu JItsu gyms. This is the first one that has got me motivated enough that I am excited to go back every time. The instructors are great and really take the time to teach you the right way. They never make you feel intimidated to ask a question or figure out what you are doing wrong. This I feel, helps you learn much faster and feel more comfortable with something that could be otherwise intimidating. They really go over the basics and help you build a solid base to add too. I know from my experience that is not always the easiest thing to accomplish, but I feel with their teaching method you are able to attain it with relative ease. The students there are all of the same mindset as well and have proven to be very helpful in the progression of your learning. There is an endless amount of knowledge to learn so anyone will benefit whether you are a beginner or seasoned Jiu Jitsu practitioner. The price is very reasonable and in my opinion worth every penny. If you are interested in trying it, I know they offer a free introductory lesson to try it out.

If you are determined to learn the art of jiu jitsu then look no further! Professor Maycon is beyond exceptional. He is one of the best professors around the area and your not going to find better. He has coached world champions and continues to coach his students to achieving the best. Not only is Professor Maycon an amazing teacher, but the program director Paul is also incredible. Together they make a great team. Paul really cares for his students and definitely desires the best for them. He will not steer anyone wrong.
If you want to learn jiu jitsu, come here! I promise you will not regret it.

Training here is a lot of fun. It’s a great work out and an awesome place to learn jiu-​jitsu and meet calm, polite, like minded people. The students that attend the gym are warm and open to teaching as well as learning and sparring. It’s not a place for meat heads, which is pleasant. You can go hard if you want, but you can also be reserved and work technique.
Paul is hands down one of the best instructors I have had in my many martial arts studies. He is patient with his students (both the kids and adults). He has a very good presence about him. And his smile rivals that of Ryan Gosling. In fact, it puts Ryan Goslings smile in an arm bar and makes it tap. Don’t believe me? Go check the gym out and see for yourself.