I love this place.My family was relocated from Costa Rica and I was looking around to find a place for my 8y/o daughter. I want her to defend by herself, be confident and empowered through no aggression or hitting because she is kind and sweet.After visiting many places with my daughter she didnt felt the pura vida mojo in other gyms. We visited the school and the very first day the instructors talked to her, literally at her level (they seat down and talked to her eyes); she felt welcome and the people in charge of the school (owners and Tricia) make us feel part of a family.Long story short, not only my daughter loves her Jr Lion class but I also started in my 40s (we share techniques and play at home) and I really like my instructors Randall and Steve because they are the BEST.

A great place with great people. All the instructors are amazing in their own way and compliment each other. Randall is awesome with kids. I recommend for all ages and experience levels

I travel a lot for work and so visit many different Jiu jitsu schools. This one is top notch. Professional, great instructors, clean, friendly. Great teaching and its not an agro fight gym. Good solid training

This is, indeed, a professional and courteous group from the front desk to the mats. If you’ve never attended a class before, or if you’re a seasoned grappler, GCJJ has you covered! Five Stars all day. :)

My first time at the open mats today and everyone was very inviting and they had guys that wanted to compete and not just go through the motions.will def be back to open mats

In my experience, this is the best place in Cincinnati to learn Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. This is not a competition style gym, although they will support you if you wish to compete. There is a strong emphasis on selfdefense and the practical application of Jiu Jitsu. You will be taught the movements and fundamentals necessary to defend yourself. All of the instructors are very knowledgeable and accommodating. If you are looking to get the pure Jiu Jitsu experience Helio taught and passed down this is the place for you.

If you want to learn jiu-jitsu in Cincinnati this is best place to be. I have trained jiu-jitsu at other schools in the area and there are great instructors both in and outside of this school. However, this academy in my opinion is the best in Cincinnati in terms of community, structure and, catering jiu-jitsu to your specific level.

Ive been going to Gracie Cincinnati for almost 3 years. The training is exceptional. I highly recommend this gym if you are considering training in jiu-jitsu. Great place for beginning students up to advanced students. Self defense is always part of the curriculum. Great atmosphere. Friendly people.

Great instructors, a good community and several classes that fit into my schedule.

Gracie Cincinnati has some of the best instructors out there, with a self defense based approach and focus on concepts for techniques, escapes, and positional control. They start with fundamental movements including bridging, shrimping, threading the needle, break falls, etc... These are used throughout the fundamental techniques, and the reason for using a specific technique variation is explained. Instead of only telling you what to do in certain positions, they’re able to explain why you’re doing it and certain advantages or disadvantages for different techniques and variations.The community at Gracie Cincinnati is focused on improvement and assisting others. The instructors have given up their time for private sessions, training after class, and are always available for questions if they’re in the gym. They’ve dedicated their time and effort to improving the gym and community in any way they can. Training partners are also willing to help go over techniques, do positional sparring, drilling, or rolling. The self defense approach allows people from all different types of careers to become involved, and makes the training beneficial for different goals in Jiu Jitsu.For anyone looking for a martial art to do in their off time, Jiu Jitsu allows realistic training and an ability to move into competition. Gracie Cincinnati provides this foundation well.Gracie Cincinnati’s type of training allows a fundamental and conceptual approach to self defense that can mitigate the risk of injury.I’m thankful to train with these incredible humans on a daily basis. They’ll give you more than you could ask for, on and off the mats. Every community is different, but I’m glad that Gracie Cincinnati is where I started and it’s a place full of people I’ll always remember.Gracie Cincinnati is always my first recommendation for those looking at Jiu Jitsu gyms.

Great instructors who have awesome experience. All of them put their own extra efforts into teaching in ways that help people better understand and retain concepts.Different training goals and personal schedules can be navigated with the many class options. There are several class types at different levels of experience. There are many class time offerings, including mornings and weekends.I started going here in 2016, then took a break for school/work, and was very happy to return in 2019. It was fun and great before, and is even more so now with the new programs and increased opportunities. I have always felt welcomed, and it is obvious they value a safe, friendly, and respectful environment.

Awesome place. Super friendly and knowledgeable staff.

Very technical and experienced instructors. Great atmosphere. I have always felt welcomed and respected. I have never posted anything in my life so for me to do this means a lot.

Great instructors who are very patient with kids of all skill levels. There students are friendly and supportive of each other with no hints of bullying between the more advanced students and the new kids. They also coach that in the real world the first thing to do is walk away if you can. A class act dojo all the way.

Stopped in this past week while in town for work. Very welcoming and chill atmosphere. Lucky for me the lesson was on an anaconda choke from front headlock which is exactly what I was working on at home! The instructor showed a different entry that I think will work much better for me :) I genuinely appreciated that guys asked me to roll after class. I wish I could have stayed longer but had to get to work. It was nice that there was a shower to use. The gym was very clean and the woman at the front desk (I forget her name, sorry) was also very nice and welcoming. I will definitely be back if Im in the area again!

Great school with professional instructors and an amazing staff. Have been training here for 2 years and really enjoy learning the process

Took my son here, He had a problem trying to focus on anything. We have noticed a huge change in his behavior. It seems like it has calmed him down. He looks forward to going. Everyone here is very eager to help and it is a inviting place to walk into. Would recommend to anyone!

I brought my kids here to learn to defend themselves against bullies. Best decision I have made in a long time for my boys. Theyre in much better shape, and are following directions better too. I even use some of the techniques at home to help behavior. The classes are teaching them about having and working towards goals. The instructors are great and very patient with the kids. I recommend it to anyone thinking of joining, its awesome.

Ive been training at Gracie Cincinnati since January 2013. After taking literally over a thousand classes there, I can honestly say that Ive learned something new in every single one of them. All the instructors are excellent and all follow a very similar teaching style as the 2 owners, Jim and Justin. The instruction is very technical and relies on the strong fundamentals of classic jiu-jitsu. While the Masters classes do cover newer, competition style jiu-jitsu techniques, the core methodology is self defense focused. Starting jiu-jitsu later in life (42), with bad knees, I really appreciate the schools approach to teaching what works, but also aware that everyone is different and may have limitations, so modifying a technique is ok as long as the fundamentals are still intact.The culture of the school is very friendly and respectful. It is common to see upper belts training and teaching brand new people without issue. The adoption of the Gracie University curriculum for the beginner classes provides a very structured lesson plan which allows the students to track and plan their lessons easily. These classes are taught using an efficient style which helps newcomers absorb the material safely and quickly.Regardless of level, you will find a challenging and safe school with great instruction. I highly recommend this school if you are wanting to learn a martial are or are just visiting the area and want to drop in.

This isn’t the first gym I’ve trained at, but easily my favorite. For me personally, I learn best from their style of training: combination of regimented gi lessons, no-gi classes, and open mat.

The Gracie Cincinnati instructors are excellent! They are always willing to assist, encourage questions, and provide a relaxed and safe class experience. As a beginner, I can say the detail and structure of the Gracie Combatives program, combined with the direction from the Gracie Cincinnati instructors, is an excellent start on the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey!

Outstanding!From instructors to students to staff everyone is friendly and helpful! If you are looking into starting Jiu-Jitsu or continuing your Jiu-Jitsu education there is no better place in all of Cinci than here!

Been here almost 3 years, real quality school with good people.

I have been attending this gym for exactly one year. I did trial classes at five different gyms in Cincinnati before I decided on Gracie Cincinnati. Their class scheduling was the most structured and it’s a great introduction into Jiu Jitsu with their Combatives program. While I’m not experienced enough to say first hand, I believe it is also the best gym in the area for experienced practitioners.Other gyms I trained at had a very random program and you would typically free roll at the end of the class. This can be dangerous for someone with no experience. The Combatives program will teach self defense but also basic Jiu Jitsu skills in a safe manor.The master classes are the next step after Combatives. Again, the classes are well structured and scheduled. The class is a great collection of every belt and experience.I have become obsessed with Jiu Jitsu and I blame it on this school and the instructors. Tricia who runs everything is so nice and always available to help. Brody and Chris are excellent instructors who teach most of the classes that I attend. They are great guys and they keep it fun. And of course the black belts, who regularly teach, Kenny, Steve, Randal and Ian are phenomenal. I’ve been able to attend Jim Kelly’s (the owner) classes as well. In my opinion he is a living legend in the Jiu Jitsu world. His classes are of course fantastic!

Complete LACK of Integrity...After being a client for 14 months and suspending my account with them due to my sons academic issues ....they re-initiated the monthly fees without permission and after charging an additional $770 refused to give me my money back. These were guys that I liked, trusted with my son and WAS a fan of. My son hasnt been there in over 8 months but they were still charging my cc?? No phone call, no email, nothing. Ive tried to contact but they will not return my calls. Jim Kelly, is this the kind of integrity you have??

Excellent instruction. Tough and technical students with one of the best atmospheres of any Academy. Highly recommend them!

I highly recommend Gracie Cincinnati in Blue Ash. Ive been a student there for over two years now and have nothing but great things to say about the instructors, fellow students, and overall training experience. The quality people AND quality instruction have been positively life changing.

Ive been training here on & off since 2011. It was their emphasis on technique that I connected with. The quality of skill, instruction, attitude & comradery is splendid. Its about self defense first, game excellence next. Its not about ego or beating the other guy.I have become a part of the family, have a few friends here & come to adopt BJJ philosophy in life.- Practice - Awareness - Non-judgement -Letting go of ego - Respect for skill.This place has given me so much in health, attitude & life.I highly recommend trying out an intro class, a free class or two. Its about the long run :)Cheers!

Great instructors and facilities. Friendly and safe environment, where they encourage you to have fun and find your own path in Jiu Jitsu.

Great staff, instructors and members!

Our oldest daughter is 16 and couldnt really find a place there. She was put with adults or younger children. We canceled after our agreed year was up but have continued to be billed well beyond. No one will return our calls. Terrible service.

Great atmosphere for my son to learn!

I was lucky enough to find Gracie Jiu Jitsu Cincinnati about a year and a half ago. As a Golf Professional, having no prior grappling or fighting experience, I was hesitant to get started afraid that I may injure something that would keep me from my daily profession. However, the staff and students at Gracie Jiu Jitsu Cincinnati welcomed me and went at my pace. The instructors are humble, everyone has healthy egos and I feel welcome when I walk through the door.

Awesome place to train, great instructors and great training partners too.

I began Brazilian Jiu Jitsu a few years back at a school in Anchorage AK, and relocated to Cincinnati where I began training as a four stripe white belt. My past job caused me to travel often so I have experience visiting several schools all over the country, and Gracie Cincinnati made me feel welcome and I could tell after a class or two that it was the type of place I wanted to train due to the gracious students and instructors and highly technical instruction. Being a very small girl, I am very discerning of my training environment and I would never train at a place where your safety, well-being and the learning environment were not top notch.Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a tough sport both mentally and physically, but all of the students and especially the instructors are always more than willing to answer any questions and practice anything you may need. Everyone has a positive attitude, and any problem I may have had was immediately discussed and addressed by all instructors. Gracie Cincinnati cares about their students both on and off the mat, and leaving my Jiu Jitsu family here will be incredibly difficult.

Hello, I am the instructor the above post mentions. I would like to apologize again for your awful experience during your class. I would however like to provide some backdrop as I believe that some things in your post have been omitted and/or exaggerated. First let me say that no one has ever been injured or hurt in any of the classes that I teach (Childrens’, Striking, Beginner BJJ)so this is my first experience dealing with something of this nature. The tone of your post implies that you are a beginner and that several red flags became apparent. You told me the day before I invited you to the striking class that you had trained in JKD concepts under Richard Bustillo and had trained muy thai and kali in Thailand for over ten years. A few of my students, who are indeed beginners, were apprehensive to train with such an accomplished martial artist. The day you were injured we were doing catch drills (jab, cross, lead hook) where both opponents know what to throw and what to defend. I did say that a mouthpiece was not necessary because the purpose of this drill is to not cause bodily harm but to develop timing. I even demonstrated the level of aggressiveness prior to the drill starting, reiterating safety. I sincerely regret you getting hurt, as I did not get to witness it because I was assisting another student who did not have a partner for the drill. If you believe this makes me irresponsible, I truly apologize for letting you down and will take this as a learning experience to grow from. Two students sitting on the sideline, however did contact me after class and told me what they saw. They claimed that both you and your partner were very aggressive toward each other and it escalated; and de-escalated pretty quickly ending with you on your back. I also would like to point out that if you believed you were sparring, why would you don a pair of 8oz gloves for sparring? *14oz are acceptable and 16oz are preferred. All of the students including me immediately came to see if you were ok or needed anything. You assured me you were ok and that you had just ‘taken it on the chin’. I told you to take your time and rest till you felt better, because you did not explain the severity of the injury. Our beginner jiu-jitsu class was starting directly after this incident and we ended class and had those who were taking the next class leave to get dressed. You went and got dressed and then informed me you were going to sit out until you felt better. No one pressured you to leave or get up. Another class was starting and you were up and talking so no one thought anymore of it. Although you may believe that this incident is somewhat indicative of the nature of our safety precautions at our school, it is not. This is an isolated incident. Our school prides itself on the level of technical precision, teaching methods, applications, and overall positive attitude of every single one of our instructors; as well as students adherence to respect for the safety of themselves and there classmates.I invite you back to try another class, and any others who would like to learn self defense in a safe, positive, and technical atmosphere. And I’ll even pay for it

I was pretty nervous about starting jiu jitsu, as a middle-aged, overweight guy who had never been athletic. My experience at Gracie Cincinnati Jiu Jitsu was nothing short of life transforming. Its a place where everyone feels welcome, regardless of age or ability. Even as a white belt right off the street you get a chance to train with guys of upper level belts, and they dont just toss you around to make themselves look good--they love their sport and want you to have a good experience of it and love it too. The health benefits are amazing. Within a year I had lost 42 pounds and no longer felt I needed anti-depressant medication.It seemed to me like you have to work a long time to earn belts. That might sound like a bad thing, but actually what it means is that when you earn one of their belts it REALY means something. In fact, I came in one day and found the senior instructor actually custom sewing blue belts for his students. After one year of instruction I didnt earn a stripe or advance to blue belt...but outside the club I ran into a guy once who claimed to have a blackbelt in jiu jitsu. We rolled...I quickly submitted him with an Americana. I attended competitions and watched our guys take home medals. A couple of the guys were successful in actual MMA fights. Seeing their success in competition, and my progress, made me feel that the money I spent genuinely was getting the best quality jiu jitsu instruction available anywhere around.By far the best part of the experience was the camaraderie and growing friendship with students and instructors. They have a really diverse group of people, men and women, different races, economic levels, worldviews. Everyone treats one another with respect, finds common ground in their sport, and keeps conflict to a minimum.I had only one negative experience. Another white-belt, an older man with a background in wrestling in high school, was really impatient with my mistakes when we were training. I told the instructor later that I didnt feel comfortable training with that guy, so they just never paired me with him again.What made me leave the school was simply a lack of time. With three small kids at home and working two jobs, something had to give. Now weve moved to another state. I stay in touch with some of the guys through Facebook. It sounds really cheesy, but I will look back to the year I spent at this club as one of the best of my life. So Id say, dont think youre too old or too fat or would embarrass yourself or anything like that. Just try it. Its money very well spent.

I will start by saying I had an awful experience at Gracie Cincinnati so you know exactly where this review is going. While there is no doubting they have excellent Brazilian Jiu Jitsu instruction, why they are one of the most expensive martial arts schools in Cincinnati, and they house a lot of black belts the heart of a martial arts school falls on its integrity and its focus on well being of its students. Which from what I witnessed was very little.I took exactly 2 classes a Gracie Cincinnati, the 1st day was BJJ and it was a good class and was run by the head instructor and Owner Justin. The 2nd day of classes was run by a brown belt student, the first class was striking. This class was first off not very well structured for a new student. The instructor blasted past basics and had amateur strikers do light sparring at the end of class, even new students on their first day of striking; red flag. The next red flag was the teacher told me a mouth piece wasn’t required as we would be going light, which I’m pretty sure insurance companies require a striking martial art school to have their students use a mouth piece. The next red flag was when my partner punched me in the face as hard as he could and knocked me unconscious despite the drill be for “light” contact. The instructor wasn’t even paying attention or moderating the sparring since he was training with another partner on his own. So you guessed it, unsupervised sparring. Remember this is my first day. Instead of worrying about my health they told me to shake it off and get my gi on and get ready for the BJJ class that would be happening next. I sat on the side in a fog for about an hour before I was able to drive home.Over the next tow weeks I had migraines due to the concussion I received as a result of the punch. Hundreds of dollars in medical and hospital expenses and a week of missed work later I was able to call the school back to tell them my condition. Additionally, they never called to check on me or even worried about the seriousness of the injury.When I spoke to the owner Justin, no one had even told him I’d been injured and he was completely unaware of what had even happened or the drills or structure of the striking class. Apparently brain injuries aren’t important enough here to be told to the head instructor. He did however immediately realize the seriousness of the situation and refunded the money for my classes and did apologize.So, while the BJJ is definitely strong at Gracie Cincinnati, don’t be fooled that their best interests lay in their students well being. With their large class sizes and their high tuition costs I wonder if they concern is on the money. So, if you’re looking for a school with little to no concern for the health of new students, you’ve found your school. In my opinion there are several other schools with competent BJJ in Cincinnati at a much lower cost that put more focus on students health and well being than turning a buck.

Great place to train.

Most down to earth people ever!!!