Gracie Jiu Jitsu Monterey

800 Lighthouse Ave, Monterey, CA 93940, USA

(47 reviews)

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Allison McHenry

My 6 year old took the Little Champs class and had so much fun. We love that the class includes personal development and they talk a lot about manners and how to be a good person. We have recomended them to our friends.
Posted 9 months ago
Zoë P

Highly recommend! We've been part of this jiu-jitsu studio for about a year now, and we absolutely love it! My daughter is completely obsessed with her classes (Mat Munchkins) - telling everyone about her progress and even holding her own when older kids test her. The instructors are amazing, and truly care about the kids (Coach Sam & Coach Josh, you rock!). It's been incredible to watch the studio grow; when we first started, there were just a few students, and now the class has grown to around 20 kids. We’re so thankful to be part of this community and can’t imagine a better place for my girl to learn and thrive. We love Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Monterey!
Posted 9 months ago
Send Him Our Best

My daughter attended here for bullyproof kids and now for women empowerment classes. We love the instructors and she is learning so much. I have seen her confidence improve and it’s been great for character building. This is helping our entire family as we all learn about being a positive community member and feel empowered to defend ourselves. I love the way they teach and manage classes. They’re inclusive in every way. It’s giving our kid positive messaging while the word out there can be very harsh and challenging. This has helped our family a lot! A worthwhile investment!
Posted 10 months ago
Subash

My 5-year-old tried a trial class at Gracie’s Jiu Jitsu and it was a wonderful experience. The instructors were patient, engaging, and made the class really fun for kids. Unfortunately, we couldn’t continue due to our schedule, but the team was very understanding. The cancellation and refund process was quick and easy, and cooperative. I truly appreciate their professionalism and highly recommend them for families looking into Jiu Jitsu for their kids! We definitely hope to join in the future if it works out.
Posted 1 year ago
Moni G

I highly recommend Gracie Jiu Jitsu on Lighthouse! I’m so glad I attended the free Self Defense Seminar. They offer a 10 day trial if you missed this limited time opportunity. The Jiu Jitsu 101 lesson was so much fun, I’m eager to learn more! The staff is very welcoming and friendly. They kindly guide you so that you may improve the techniques being taught. The classes offered as a membership are really affordable. I encourage anyone that may be interested to give Gracie Jiu Jitsu a try!
Posted 1 year ago
Daniel V

My son has attended 10 bully-proof classes at this fantastic location and just received his first stripe. We love the ratio of instructor to student, the individual attention, and the environment that the staff has created. Students are held to a high standard of behavior while being supported and encouraged to fall in love with this martial art. The mix of social/emotional learning and the foundation for more advanced jujitsu techniques is a great activity for young students.

Instructors Facility Classes Location Atmosphere
Posted 1 year ago
Amador Ramirez Jr

I had a really good experience here. They really take the time to go over the jujitsu techniques step by step. Very family friendly and safe place to learn Jujitsu.

Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
Posted 1 year ago
Jacob Aguilar

While I was in town for work, I decided to drop in at Gracie Monterey, and I couldn’t be happier with my experience. The instructors were incredibly attentive, ensuring that I felt comfortable and supported throughout the class. The staff and fellow students were friendly and welcoming, making it easy to fit right in. If you’re looking for a great place to train, I highly recommend Gracie Monterey!!!

Instructors Classes Atmosphere
Posted 1 year ago
Samantha Sargent

We are grateful to have been able to train here while on vacation. We love that it's a self defense school and not for competition. They seem to do lots of fun things for diversity outside of their regular schedule, the locals would love it too. Rhey seem to have a 10 day free trial and the drop in rates for travelers was fair. Staff was helpful and kind. Thank you for having us! We will definitely come again if we are in the area! Keep up the good work!

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Posted 2 years ago
Michael Isaacs APRN

I have only been training here for a month but I have no intention of stopping. From the moment I walked in, I was welcomed and felt like they valued my attendance. Every lesson is clearly thought out and while this is no doubt a martial art that can cause serious damage, safety is absolutely at the top of their priorities. Everyone works well together no matter the skill level or experience and it seems everyone else is there to assist each other. It's as if the entire gym wants everyone to succeed. Five stars! Would highly reccommend!

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Posted 2 years ago
Rachelle Flores

This is a really awesome organization teaching really useful skills as well as some classy stuff for young ones to learn about being a member of the community and how to be kind to others

Atmosphere
Posted 2 years ago
Carlo Amado

Best learning experience of my life. Beginner friendly, the instructors are extremely patient, you can sense their passion for teaching, and the passion for their craft. The community here is second to none. Everyone supports each other's growth. You won't go wrong trying this place out, I promise you that.

Instructors Facility Atmosphere
Posted 2 years ago
Emilio Quezada Liuti

I recently joined GJJ in Monterey and am very happy there. The coaches are outstanding and students are friendly and helpful for others who are starting. I joined the adult combatives class, which is a very structured course. You learn 2 techniques each class. I would strongly recommend this gym to anyone!

Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
Posted 2 years ago
Charles Grant

I highly recommend Gracie Jiu Jitsu in Monterey. I joined about 2 months ago, but from the beginning the instructors have made me feel at home. The instruction is very detailed and we get to practice moves at the right pace for a white belt. I'm surprised at how much I've learned in such a short time and excited to continue learning at Gracie Monterey for years to come. If you are interested, come check out a class, you won't regret it!

Instructors Facility Classes Location Atmosphere
Posted 2 years ago
Tim Mundt (Tim The Squeegee Guy)

This is an awesome environment for all ages. My daughter has been her going on 2 years and she loves it. I myself started my jiu-jitsu journey recently and it’s has been a lot of fun. They are different than some of the other places around in that they don’t just throw you to the wolves. They want you to learn the basics and master the basics before you move up which means you can start at any point no matter your age and not be super confused on what is going on. They make the learning process easy. All the instructors are amazing and awesome people. Niko and Brandon are great with the kids and make it fun for my little one. And Tom always makes everyone feel welcome. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Posted 3 years ago
Dave Boring

Fantastic place to grow and learn in Jiu Jitsu. I've always wanted to learn and finally have a training center in my back yard. Every instructor is excited to see you there and even remembered my name after one training session and not coming back for a week and a half due to an unrelated injury. Every session is crystal clear and heavily repeated and guided. I neither feel confused about what we're doing or rushed to try and understand how to do it myself. My confidence in using the techniques learned here has grown like crazy if I need to employ them in a real life situation. Cannot recommend this place enough!

Instructors Facility Classes Location Atmosphere
Posted 3 years ago
Laura Pruneda

The program is top shelf, with plenty of structure and resources to achieve your goals. The instructors are very detailed when they demonstrate a move and the way they break down those moves into multiple sub steps is very helpful. Master Tom is full of contagious excitement and all students are very welcoming and supportive. Overall, it's been a great experience.

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Posted 3 years ago
Ollie Doherty

Wonderful sense of community coming here. The womens empowered class and combatives class are tons of fun, and the teachers are great!

Instructors Classes Atmosphere
Posted 3 years ago
Cédric Craninx

After having practiced at my job (as a military) before, I joined the school because I felt I really needed basics and better understanding of moves' purposes. Best decision taken the last years. What I love most about training is what I call the learning system. You can look at instructional videos and print handouts. Then you execute what you saw on the videos and handouts on at home and in class. In class, being prepared, you notice your own mistakes and take notes after class on the handouts that you printed. Next time you have that lesson, you just make sure you don't make the mistakes that you already noted. Everything is facilitated so that you can create your own feedback loops and demonstrate the best version of yourself. Welcome in one of the most efficient learning system. The extent to which you are a believer in the Gracie philosophy and the extent to which you compete with yourself can drastically impact multiple aspects of your life. Those aspects might differ for each one of us, but in my case, my drive improved significantly. Knowing that I wake up every morning better than the day before, is a feeling that I lost the last years. We shouldn't underestimate the power of such feelings. What stroke me the most is the quality of the instructors. They consistently (with discipline) and coherently play the biggest part in that learning system. The latter system is linked to life values and respect (also for any kind of opponent) that they teach, which are embedded in a complete philosophy. Everything ties together, you just have to follow the path...

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Posted 3 years ago
Chago Garcia

Amazing place! Great people great vibes

Atmosphere
Posted 4 years ago
Christiane Tran

You won't find a better Brazilian jiu-jitsu school in Monterey to take your first self defense class except maybe at their sister school in Santa Cruz. Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Monterey is SUPER friendly and fun to boot. The teachers and style of this school strives to focus on the student. Some schools believe in a sink or swim mentality and make you fight with experienced people the first day. Not at this school. Everyone supports the other and won't leave you to drown when you are feeling overwhelmed. They want to make sure that when you leave to face the real world that you have acquired the necessary tools to swim and survive. If you want to be with people who truly care, then definitely try this school!

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Posted 6 years ago
Caddie Whisperer

Tom, wow, incredible instructor with an even greater lineage... this place is amazing. 9 months and counting. I won’t be going anywhere.

Instructors Facility Atmosphere
Posted 6 years ago
Joshua Parrish

This is the greatest place to learn under the tutelage of Master Tom. Tom has such charisma that learning is inevitable. The enthusiasm he brings each day is contagious. I am so grateful to walk through those doors every time. This experience is adding years to my life. And the 1 star review by Angel Cruz is his thing. Look at his history. He obviously never walked through those doors on Lighthouse Ave. Huge open doors that welcome all that are willing to learn.

Instructors Facility Location Atmosphere
Posted 6 years ago
Jeffery Martinez

On my honeymoon back in February 2018, I came by to visit and train at Gracie Monterey. The instructor Adon along with his assistant taught an amazing mastercycle class that I attended and the Gracie Combatives class which my wife took. What impressed me most was they teach and uphold the standards that Gracie University instills at all their certified training centers. Great experience! You can't go wrong here.

Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
Posted 7 years ago
Anthony Ukestad

Tom is a fantastic instructor who walks a great balance between a friendly welcoming atmosphere, and dedication to teaching his students the art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. The classes are a great size and I have always received the instruction that I needed.

Instructors Classes Atmosphere
Posted 7 years ago
Veronika Frenkel

I used to always recommend Gracie Jiu Jitsu for kids but no longer. I’ve been trying to cancel the membership for my son since January 2021 due to covid and the owner would always talk me out of it, saying it would save me money if he chose to come back once things reopened. Now when I finally put my foot down and said we were definitely canceling, they are insisting on charging me one month at full price plus the cost of the gi because he didn’t advance to the next belt color (apparently that part was in the contract, so fine). Anyway, I’m pretty livid since I feel like I gave them 7 months notice. Not to mention, we paid full price for several months after the pandemic started in an attempt to help the business stay afloat even though my son was not participating in the online Zoom classes they offered because he didn’t enjoy them. We switched to freezing the account and paying $25/month. I understand that businesses are struggling now but to me this is just not the way to build and maintain loyalty. I suggest taking your business elsewhere. Thanks for hearing me out.

Pricing
Posted 5 years ago