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Gracie Garage Application

  • Overview
  • Requirements
  • Gracie Garage Application

Gracie Garage Roles and Responsiblities
Whether you are a garage member, or a garage leader, you need to know your role. Watch Ryron and Rener discuss gracie garage roles and responsibilities here.

The Original Gracie Garage
Upon arriving in the United States in 1978, Rorion Gracie’s mission was to spread his family’s system of self-defense to the world.  He asked the head instructors at several martial arts schools if they would allow him to teach Gracie Jiu-Jitsu at their facility, but every one of them declined.  The world did not yet understand the critical importance of ground fighting, and individual instructors were unwilling to allow an unknown martial artist to teach at their school. 

Never one to quit, Rorion and a few of his friends rented a small house with a two-car garage in Hermosa Beach, California.  He lined the floor of the garage with grappling mats and began teaching private classes to anyone and everyone he met.  He offered one free private class to each new student, and the opportunity for every established student to earn an additional free class for every referral.  Solely by word of mouth, the number of students grew rapidly, and the demand necessitated additional instructors.  So, in 1985, Rorion invited his brother Royce to help teach in the garage.  By 1989, Rorion and Royce were instructing 130 active students in the garage and had 80 more wait-listed.  It was at this point that Rorion and Royce decided to open the very first Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy in the United States, based out of Torrance, California.

The Primary Objective and the Major Challenge
Our primary objective here at Gracie Jiu-Jitsu University is to share Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, in its purest form, with as many people as possible.  To accomplish this, we organized our 600+ techniques into a linear curriculum, standardized our teaching methodology, and trained a team of highly qualified instructors so that we could export the Gracie University learning experience through a network of Certified Training Centers.   While this approach significantly increased our ability to reach beyond the walls of Gracie University Headquarters, we still were not able to meet the demand for the art.  This inspired the creation of our video-based online training program.  Even though the online program provides students all over the world with access to our system, in the comfort of their own home, we still believe that the best way to learn and enjoy the life-changing experience of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is through group study – at Gracie University Headquarters, a Certified Training Center, or a “Gracie Garage”.

The New Gracie Garage
We created the Gracie Garage classification to serve communities that lack a Certified Training Center.  Derived from the original garage concept, the new Gracie Garage is an unofficial training facility at which people gather to practice Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.  Since Gracie Garages have no certified instructors, we expect members to use the online curriculum or the instructional DVDs as their primary source of instruction.  And although they are unofficial establishments, we expect and demand that safety and teamwork remain the most important priorities of a Gracie Garage, just as they are here at Gracie University. 

Prerequisites
There is no fee to apply for Gracie Garage status – it is 100% free.  As long as you meet the minimum qualification requirements below, you can apply for Gracie Garage status at no charge.

  • Dedicated Leader: You must be dedicated to mastering the art; however, we do not require you to have any experience in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu prior to opening a Gracie Garage.
  • Instructional Source: To start a Gracie Garage, you must have access to the official Gracie Combatives online curriculum. You may either purchase the course material outright, or you join one of our monthly subscriptions. If you choose the subscription route, you must maintain an active subscription as long as your Gracie Garage is active.
  • Training Area: Your facility must have at least 100 square feet of grappling mats. Training facilities and mat space must be disinfected after every use.
  • Free Training: You are not allowed to demand or accept any type of payment or donations from members, this includes donations for the operation of the Gracie Garage.
  • No “Gracie Jiu-Jitsu” in the Name: You will have the chance to name your Gracie Garage anything you want (as long as it’s not inappropriate or vulgar). The only restriction is that you do not have “Gracie Jiu-Jitsu” in the name, since that name is reserved for CTCs.
  • CTC Distance: Your facility must be outside a fifteen-mile radius of any existing Certified Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Training Center (or operate with the written permission of the CTC owner). Click here to view the list of all Certified Training Centers.
  • Grand Master Recognition: If it wasn't for Helio Gracie's lifelong dedication to the practice, perfection and perpetuation of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, none of this would be possible. In recognition of his life's work, all Gracie Garages must hang the original Grand Master Helio Gracie Poster in the training area.  

The Virtual Tour
If qualified, we invite you to apply for Gracie Garage status.  Included with your application, we require a five-minute “virtual tour” of your facility.  This video recording is a critically important determinant of your eligibility.  It must include the following:

  • Welcome Message: Start with an on-camera welcome message discussing the following topics:
    1. Your Name
    2. Martial Arts Background
    3. Source of GJJ Instruction
    4. Training Objectives
    5. Ideal Training Partners
  • Street View: Then, shoot a 360-degree view of the neighboring houses/buildings from the side walk directly in front of the establishment.
  • Training Room View: Maintaining a single, continuous shot from the street view (i.e. no cut-aways, wipes, or other transitions), show the path from the side walk to the actual training room. Once inside, show a 360-degree view of the training room and then show a close-up view of the Grand Master Helio Gracie poster. Also, if the Gracie Combatives DVDs are your source of instruction, please be sure to show DVD collection in your video as well.

Military/Law Enforcement Virtual Tour Exemption
If you are of active military or law enforcement status and are applying to open a Gracie Garage in a government training facility that does not allow video recording, you are still required to submit a video but it doesn't need to include the training facility. Simply shoot it at your house or any other place and focus entirely on the welcome message:

  1. Your Name
  2. Martial Arts Background
  3. Source of GJJ Instruction (be sure to show the DVDs if you have them)
  4. Training Objectives
  5. Ideal Training Partners

Once Accepted
If you qualify as a Gracie Garage, we will add your location to our list of approved facilities under the name that you specified in your application (Note: your address, phone number, and email address will be protected from public view).  A potential student searching for a Gracie Garage in your community will see your listing and view your virtual tour.  If interested in training at your facility, the candidate will send you a message indicating their interest in your Gracie Garage and their training objectives (through the private GU messaging platform). You will have the option to reply to their inquiry and set up a phone or in-person interview to determine if they are a good fit for your Gracie Garage.  If you choose to accept the candidate, then you can invite them to a training session to observe his/her interaction with existing participants.  If they share the cooperative spirit and safety consciousness of the group, you can make them part of your team, and if not, you have the right to deny their participation.

Gracie Garage Benefits
As the leader of a Gracie Garage, you are helping the Gracies share Gracie Jiu-Jitsu with the world, and that makes you an extended part of the family.  In appreciation of your dedication, we will reward you with:

  • Free Training at the Gracie University HQ: Gracie Garage leaders are family, and family trains for free at Gracie University HQ.  Each year, you may train up to ten classes at Gracie University Headquarters (Torrance, CA) at no charge.  You can redeem your free training all in one trip or divide it among several shorter trips.  Just show up with your gi, and we’ll take care of the rest.
  • Early Master Cycle Access: Each time a Master Cycle course is produced for Gracie University, we will first grant access to our Certified Instructors.  Then, we will make it available to Gracie Garage leaders.  Only after we have received feedback from certified instructors and garage leaders will we release the Master Cycle lessons to the general public.
  • 10% Discount on all Gracie Merchandise: Most people wear Gracie Gear to look good; family members wear it to spread the word.  As a result, we give all Gracie Garage leaders a 10% discount on all Gracie merchandise - at all times.  This includes everything in the Gracie Store, from t-shirts and training equipment to duffel bags.
  • Surprise Visit by the Gracie Brothers: Ryron and Rener have been known to randomly show up at Gracie Garages without warning or notice! As an active Gracie Garage, we automatically enter for this chance of a lifetime! The only requirement: when you hear a Gracie knocking on your door, let them in! Don't believe us, watch this or this!

But some of the most important benefits of operating a Gracie Garage are non-material.  They include:

  • Teaching Practice: As your skill level increases, you will have the opportunity to share your knowledge with less skilled training partners.  By helping them, you will deepen your technical understanding as you solve problems and address questions presented by students with different body types and physical capabilities.  Teaching will not only improve your instructional ability, but will also improve your jiu-jitsu skills.
  • Linear Learning:  For decades, everyone (including us) taught jiu-jitsu by following a loosely organized curriculum based on the needs of the group.  For new students in particular, this approach was very frustrating, as there appeared to be no logical progression. We applied our many years of teaching experience toward developing a sequential program that minimizes the time required to master the art.  Previously, we only taught this system in private classes.  Today, we use this linear learning method for all instruction and it’s available to you exclusively through Gracie University, Gracie Instructional DVDs, and Certified Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Training Centers.
  • Ego-less Training: Training injuries usually occur when practitioners are more concerned with victory than with safety.  If you follow our curriculum and train with trusted friends, then you can avoid the potentially injurious, “tough-guy” egocentric environment you find at most mixed martial arts schools.
  • From Gracie Garage to Certified Training Center: The original Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy succeeded because it started with the large existing student base that transferred from Rorion’s garage.  Likewise, your Gracie Garage could be a great source of prospective students if you decide to take the next step and become a Certified Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Training Center.  Once you hone your teaching skills, build a team of dedicated training partners, and if you are interested in starting a commercial martial arts school, you may qualify to partake in the Gracie University Instructor Certification Program and transition from a Gracie Garage to a Gracie Certified Training Center, just like Scott!

Disclaimer
Gracie Garages are NOT Certified Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Training Centers.  We do not warrant that any garage leaders are qualified to teach Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.  We neither screen nor check the backgrounds of any garage leaders, and any individual who chooses to train at a Gracie Garage does so at their own risk. Gracie University and/or any related company or persons, are not responsible for any losses or damages that result from training at a Gracie Garage.

Gracie Garage Malpractice
Although Gracie Garages are neither Certified Training Centers nor operated by certified teachers, we still expect the instruction and training conducted at these facilities to follow the curriculum and safety practices established by the Gracie University.  We will promptly investigate any malpractice report and initiate corrective actions to include, if necessary, revoking the Gracie Garage status.

Restricted Use of Logos, Trademarks, and Proprietary Programs
In order to avoid confusion in the marketplace, Gracie Garages aren’t allowed to use the proprietary Gracie trademarks, logos, or training programs in any advertising or marketing efforts including, but not limited to, internet, print, television, and radio. In addition, there can be no use of the Gracie trademarks/logos on the store/garage front, since this may cause a prospective student to think that the unofficial GJJ training center is certified when it is not. The promotion of any Gracie Garage and the acquisition of new training partners should be done exclusively through Gracie University and/or through word of mouth, and in no case shall any Gracie Garage Leader insinuate to others that he/she is authorized to teach Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.

Establishing a Gracie Garage in a Martial Arts School 
You are allowed to establish a Gracie Garage in a Martial Arts School (Traditional or BJJ or MMA) under the condition that your eventual goal is to become a Certified Training Center. Whether you own the school or not, the primary benefits of establishing a Gracie Garage in a school are:

  1. You can gauge the interest of your students and other members of your community in the Gracie University programs (Gracie Combatives®, Gracie Bullyproof®, and The Master Cycle®)
  2. You will more easily find training partners to help you climb through the curriculum. Upon establishing the Gracie Garage in a school, you will have 12 months to complete the Gracie Combatives program and qualify for the Gracie University Instructor Certification Program (ICP). If you do not score a 95+ on your Gracie Combatives belt test and qualify for the ICP within 12 months, your Gracie Garage status will be revoked.

Gracie Garage Members
As we do with our own students, we encourage Gracie Garage members to provide us with feedback. Garage Members are the Gracie University's ears and eyes. We appreciate and welcome all comments and can assure you that your feedback will remain anonymous. Please report facilities that are:

  • Promoting unsafe training methods
  • Failing to adhere to the Gracie University curriculum
  • Requesting mandatory payments from participants, accepting any kind of "donations", denying access for lack of contribution, and/or restricting access only to students that join and pay for other programs
  • Using the proprietary Gracie trademarks, logos, or training programs in any marketing, advertising or promotional efforts
  • Violating any other Gracie Garage guidelines

Top Three Gracie Garage Questions

  • Do I need to be a Gracie Combatives belt to open a Gracie Garage?
    No, there is no rank requirement or minimum experience level for you to open a Gracie Garage.  All we ask is for you to commit to regular practice of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. 
  • Can I open a Gracie Garage in my martial arts school?
    Yes, you may operate a Gracie Garage from a martial arts school.  In fact, we recommend that any martial arts instructor who is interested in becoming a Certified Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Instructor first establish a Gracie Garage in their school to gauge interest in the program.  Remember that a Gracie Garage operating in a commercial martial arts school may not advertise as a certified Gracie Jiu-Jitsu training program, and the leader may not charge for the instruction until the facility becomes a Certified Training Center. Furthermore, if the Gracie Garage Leader does not pass the Gracie Combatives belt test, with a score of 95 or better, and qualify for the Gracie University Instructor Certification Program within 12 months, their Gracie Garage status will be revoked. For more information on the Instructor Certification Program, click here.
  • If someone isn’t training with the cooperative spirit, can I kick them out?
    Yes.  The Garage Leader decides who trains with the group.  Without a certified instructor to supervise your training, partner feedback is a major determinant of individual progress and satisfaction with your program.  Therefore, one of the Garage Leader’s most important responsibilities is to ensure that all members train together as partners who are united in pursuit of jiu-jitsu mastery.

Action Steps
If you’re thinking about opening a Gracie Garage, follow these steps:

  1. If you haven’t already, get enough grappling mats to meet the minimum Gracie Garage matted area requirement (100 sq. feet), and purchase the required Grand Master Helio Gracie poster for display in your Gracie Garage.
  2. Digitally record your virtual tour. Don’t stress over this too much. If you’re camera shy, pretend like you’re talking to one person who is considering learning Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. Keep it simple and keep it real. To maximize your chances of acceptance, be sure to cover all the required talking points in very beginning of your video: your name, martial arts background, source of GJJ instruction, your training objectives and your ideal training partners.
  3. Think of a cool name for your Gracie Garage, submit the application, and wait for our response.  It’s that simple!

There is no fee to register your training facility as a Gracie Garage. Simply enter your information, upload your virtual tour video, complete the Waiver/Release, and submit the application. If approved, you will be notified via email, and your training facility will appear on the official list of Gracie Garages.
  • 1. Enter Information
  • 2. Questions
  • 3. Video
  • 4. Waiver and Release
  • 5. Confirmation

Enter Information

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Gracie Garage Information
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Gracie Garage Leader Information
1. Gracie Garage Leader's Name*
2. Martial Arts Background*
3. Source of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Instruction*
4. Training Objectives*
5. Ideal Training Partners*

 

Waiver and Release

IMPORTANT: Applications will not be considered unless each clause of the following waiver is checked off and your initials added at the bottom before submitting.

GRACIE GARAGE DEDICATED LEADER ASSUMPTION OF RISK, CONSENT TO PARTICIPATION, WAIVER OF LIABILITY AND RELEASE OF CLAIMS, AND INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

In consideration of you being permitted to maintain a Gracie Garage at-home training facility (a “Gracie Garage”) and be a Gracie Garage Dedicated Leader, you hereby assume any and all risk of whatever nature, known or unknown, in connection with you being in, on, and/or around the Gracie Garage. Those risks include serious injury, death and property damage to yourself and those around you.

GRACIE GARAGES AND GRACIE GARAGE DEDICATED LEADERS ARE NOT SPONSORED, LICENSED, CERTIFIED, ENDORSED, CONTROLLED OR INSPECTED BY GRACIE UNIVERSITY OR ANY RELATED PERSONS OR ENTITIES.

Despite the potential hazards and dangers associated with hosting and being present at, on and/or around the Gracie Garage or participating in any activities at, on and/or around the Gracie Garage, you wish to maintain a Gracie Garage and engage in such activity. You voluntarily and freely accept and expressly assume all risks, dangers and hazards whatever they may be, whether known or unknown, hidden or apparent, even if arising from negligence, that could result in personal injury, death and damage to property.

You represent that you are over the age of 18 and have the power and authority to agree to these terms which are a condition precedent of you being permitted to be at, in, on or around the Gracie Garage.

This document affects your legal rights. You should read carefully. No person will be permitted to maintain a Gracie Garage without properly completing and signing this Assumption of Risk, Consent to Participation, Waiver of Liability and Release of Claims, and Indemnification Agreement (the “Agreement”) and returning it to Gracie University.

ANY PARTICIPANTS AT YOUR GRACIE GARAGE MUST SIGN A RELEASE FORM APPROVED BY GRACIE UNIVERSITY AND WITH REGARDS TO ANY PARTICIPANTS UNDER EIGHTEEN (18) YEARS OF AGE, SUCH PARTICIPANT’S PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN MUST SIGN SUCH RELEASE WHERE INDICATED. YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING THAT ALL POTENTIAL PARTICIPANTS IN A GRACIE GARAGE HAVE COMPLETED AND AGREED TO THE PARTICIPANT RELEASE ONLINE AT THE GRACIE UNIVERSITY WEBSITE PRIOR TO ANY PARTICIPATION IN THE GRACIE GARAGE ACTIVITIES; AND THAT YOU WILL PERMIT ANY POTENTIAL PARTICIPANT WHO LACKS ACCESS TO THE INTERNET WITH SUCH ACCESS IN ORDER TO COMPLETE AND AGREE TO SUCH PARTICIPANT RELEASE PRIOR TO ANY PARTICIPATION IN THE GRACIE GARAGE ACTIVITIES. YOU AGREE THAT YOU WILL NOT PERMIT ANY POTENTIAL PARTICIPANT TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY GRACIE GARAGE ACTIVITIES UNLESS AND UNTIL SUCH PARTICIPANT HAS CLEARLY DEMONSTRATED TO YOU THAT SUCH POTENTIAL PARTICIPANT HAS IN FACT COMPLETED AND AGREED TO THE PARTICIPANT RELEASE. YOU AGREE TO PROVIDE GRACIE GLOBAL LLC WITH A CALENDAR QUARTERLY REPORT (DUE EVERY 1/1, 4/1, 7/1 AND 10/1) OF ALL PARTICIPANTS AT YOUR GRACIE GARAGE.

In consideration of being allowed to maintain a Gracie Garage and participate in any activities on, at and around the Gracie Garage, and for other good and valuable consideration the adequacy of which is hereby acknowledged, I, the undersigned, hereby agree to and accept all of the following on behalf of myself, my family, my heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns:
Please check off each clause below:
 RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY AND DEATH/OWN RISK
Jiu-jitsu, martial arts, and any and all activities at the Gracie Garage are dangerous activities in which you can seriously injure yourself or others, or kill yourself or others, or be injured or killed by others. If you do not understand and freely assume these risks, do not train, spar or participate in any activities at the Gracie Garage.

If you train, spar or participate in any activities at the Gracie Garage, you do so entirely at your own risk and agree to abide by and be subject to rules and conditions governing your access privilege.
  NO MEDICAL PERSONNEL/EQUIPMENT PRESENT, ETC..
THERE IS NO MEDICAL PERSONNEL OR EQUIPMENT PRESENT AT THE GRACIE GARAGE. YOU ARE ENTIRELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY INJURY THAT RESULTS FROM TRAINING, SPARRING OR ANY ACTIVITIES IN, ON, OR AROUND THE GRACIE GARAGE; THAT INCLUDES BEING ABLE TO PROTECT OR DEFEND YOURSELF, AND ADMINISTER OR PROVIDE ANY REQUIRED ON-THE-SPOT MEDICAL SERVICES IN THE EVENT YOU GET HURT. IF YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND AND ACCEPT THIS RISK, DO NOT TRAIN, SPAR, AND/OR PARTICIPATE IN ANY ACTIVITY ON, OR AROUND THE GRACIE GARAGE.
 FULL WAIVER OF EVERYTHING AGAINST EVERYONE INVOLVED
BY SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT, YOU ARE INDICATING THAT YOU HAVE READ AND FULLY UNDERSTAND THIS AGREEMENT. BY SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT, YOU ARE WAIVING ANY AND ALL CLAIMS OF ANY NATURE WHATSOEVER AGAINST THE FOLLOWING:
  1. Gracie Global LLC, a California corporation, doing business as Gracie University, and any of its affiliates, shareholders, members, managers, officers, directors, employees, agents and/or affiliates;
  2. owners and tenants of the real property where the Gracie Garage is located; and
  3. FUGU Corporation, a California corporation, and any of its affiliates, shareholders, members, managers, officers, directors, employees, agents and/or affiliates (collectively in (i), (ii) and (iii), the “Released Parties”)..

YOU ARE HEREBY RELEASING, THE RELEASED PARTIES FROM ANY AND ALL LIABILITY, THAT MAY ARISE IN CONNECTION WITH YOUR MAINTAINING A GRACIE GARAGE, OR PARTICIPATION IN ANY ACTIVITIES ON OR AT A GRACIE GARAGE, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY CLAIMS OR LIABILITY BASED ON NEGLIGENCE.
 ASSUMPTION OF RISK
I understand and appreciate that the risk of injury from activities at a Gracie Garage is significant and includes, without limitation, the risk of (1) minor injuries, such as scratches, bruises and sprains, (2) major injuries, such as joint and back injuries, broken bones, dislocated shoulders, heart attacks and concussions, (3) catastrophic injuries including, without limitation, paralysis and death and (4) being hit by or making contact with moving or stationary objects or people. I understand and appreciate that, while rules, equipment and personal discipline may reduce this risk, the risk of great personal injury at a Gracie Garage, whether caused by me or caused by others, still exists, is inherent in such activities, and cannot be eliminated regardless of the care taken to around injuries. I acknowledge that training, sparring and/or being on and/or around the Gracie Garage is a dangerous activity and that if I am at the Gracie Garage, I may be in danger of serious injury or death. DESPITE THE POTENTIAL HAZARDS AND DANGERS ASSOCIATED WITH BEING PRESENT AT, ON AND/OR AROUND A GRACIE GARAGE OR PARTICIPATING IN ANY ACTIVITIES ON OR AT A GRACIE GARAGE OR AT ANY EVENT, I WISH TO BE PRESENT AT THE GRACIE GARAGE AND ENGAGE IN SUCH ACTIVITIES. I VOLUNTARILY AND FREELY ACCEPT AND EXPRESSLY ASSUME ALL RISKS, DANGERS AND HAZARDS WHATEVER THEY MAY BE, WHETHER KNOWN OR UNKNOWN, EVEN IF ARISING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASED PARTIES THAT MAY ARISE FROM MY PRESENCE AT, ON AND AROUND THE GRACIE GARAGE OR PARTICIPATION IN ACTIVITIES ON, AT OR AROUND THE GRACIE GARAGE THAT COULD RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY TO ME, LOSS OF MY LIFE AND DAMAGE TO MY PROPERTY.
 RULES; NO FEES OR COSTS TO BE CHARGED TO PARTICIPANTS: I WILL NOT USE THE NAME “GRACIE” OR “GRACIE GARAGE” IN ANY VERBAL OR WRITTEN MANNER, EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY AND SPECIFICALLY AUTHORIZED HEREUNDER.
I understand and willingly agree to comply with the rules, regulations and conditions for maintaining a Gracie Garage as established and amended from time to time by Gracie University and incorporated herein by this reference. I agree to maintain my Gracie Garage in a safe and clean manner and in compliance with all applicable laws. I agree to carefully inspect and satisfy myself that the Gracie Garage is reasonably safe for its intended use. I will not charge participants any fee whatsoever to train, spar or participate in activities at my Gracie Garage.
 WAIVER OF LIABILITY AND RELEASE OF CLAIMS:
I do hereby release, remise and discharge each of the Released Parties, and covenant not to sue any of the Released Parties for or in connection with, and waive any liability of the Released Parties for, any and all claims (including, without limitation, the negligence of any of the Released Parties resulting in personal injury (including without limitation, death), accidents, illnesses and property loss), arising from or in connection with my presence at, on or around, or participation in activities on, at or around any Gracie Garage and/or any event. I intend for this waiver and release to also apply to my relatives, personal representatives, heirs, beneficiaries, and next of kin or assigns who might pursue any legal action or claim on my behalf. I understand that by signing this document I am giving up my right to sue any of the Released Parties.
 INDEMNIFICATION:
I hereby agree to indemnify, defend (with counsel satisfactory to the Released Parties) and hold the Released Parties harmless from and against any liability, damage, cost or expense (including costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs) occasioned by or arising out of any breach or alleged breach of this Agreement, or any claim, demand or action which is inconsistent with any warranty, representation, agreement or grant of rights made or assumed by me hereunder, or any claim, demand or action resulting from a participant relating to my Gracie Garage or from activities on or at my Gracie Garage, or any claim, demand or action with respect to personal injuries (including, without limitation, death) or damage to property, made for any reason in connection with my presence or the presence of any participant at my Gracie Garage.
  OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
  1. Insurance I acknowledge that the Released Parties do not provide accident, medical, liability, worker’s compensation insurance or any other insurance (“Insurance”) for my activities at the Gracie Garage. I agree to pay any and all costs incurred as a result of any medical treatment or other loss, damage or expense that I may suffer or cause others to suffer due to the presence of myself and/or any property that I bring on and/or around the Gracie Garage. The fact that a Released Party may or may not have Insurance shall not in any way give me an entitlement to make a claim against the Released Parties based on them having or not having Insurance or in any way reduce or diminish me having to take out Insurance if being insured is in any way something I desire.
  2. Arbitration; Attorneys’ Fees I agree that I will arbitrate any and all claims arising out of my presence at or participating in activities on or at or around the Gracie Garage, according to the rules of the American Arbitration Association, and that any award will be final and binding upon the parties. I agree that the place of the arbitration shall be Torrance, California and that California law will apply. In the event of arbitration or litigation concerning this Agreement, the prevailing party shall, in addition to any other award of damage or other remedy, be entitled to attorneys’ fees and costs, incurred as a result of such arbitration or litigation.
  3. Severability/Applicable Law I agree that this Agreement is intended to be as broad and inclusive as is permitted by law and that if any portion thereof is held invalid, it is agreed that the balance shall, notwithstanding, continue in full legal force and effect. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with, and governed by, the laws of the State of California, without regard to its principles of conflict of laws. With respect to any and all non-arbitrable disputes, the California courts (state and federal) only will have jurisdiction of any controversies regarding this Agreement and the parties hereto consent to the jurisdiction of said courts.
  4. Acknowledgment of Understanding I am over 18 years of age. I have read the above, been given an opportunity to ask questions, and fully understand that this is a legal and binding document and that I am giving up substantial rights, including my right to sue or to make any claim for injuries or damages I might sustain while present at or participating in activities on or at or around the Gracie Garage. There are no other agreements, direct or collateral, written or oral, between the parties hereto governing the subject matter hereof. All prior negotiations, agreements, understandings and statements made between the parties hereto that have occurred prior to the execution of this Agreement are superseded by and merged into this completely integrated Agreement in so far they relate to the subject matter of this Agreement. To the extent that I may have previously signed a release and waiver agreement relating to the Gracie Garage the terms most favorable to the Released Parties contained in the documents shall apply in the event of a conflict between the various documents. I acknowledge that I am signing this Agreement freely and voluntarily, and intend by my signature to be a complete and unconditional acceptance of the terms of this Agreement to the greatest extent allowed by law.
  5. Headings The paragraph headings of this Agreement are intended for convenience only, and shall not be of any effect in construing the contents of this Agreement.
  6. Inspection Gracie University has the right to inspect your Gracie Garage during normal business hours upon at least 24 hours advance verbal or written notice to you.
  7. Reports You agree to provide periodic reports to Gracie University in a form satisfactory to Gracie University concerning operations at your Gracie Garage.
  8. Termination You acknowledge and agree that Gracie University has the right at any time in its sole and absolute discretion to terminate your right to maintain a Gracie Garage for any reason whatsoever or for no reason at all, such termination to be effective immediately upon written notice to you. Upon such termination, you agree to immediately, as applicable, remove all signs and/or statements concerning a Gracie Garage and to advise all participants, students, etc., that you no longer host a Gracie Garage.
  9. Use of Gracie Name; Good Will You may only use the Gracie name as expressly permitted by Gracie University on a case by case basis and you acknowledge and agree that you have no ownership right and will never claim any ownership right in the Gracie name or any trademarks, copyrights, service marks or patents in the name of Gracie University or any of its affiliates. You recognize the great value of the publicity and good will associated with the Gracie name and, in such connection, acknowledge that such good will exclusively belongs to Gracie University and/or its affiliates and that the Gracie name has acquired a secondary meaning in the mind of the public. You agree that you will not harm, misuse or bring into disrepute the Gracie name or any copyrights, trademarks, tradenames or service marks of Gracie relating thereto and will not contest the validity of any copyrights, trademarks, tradenames or service marks of Gracie University and/or its affiliates relating to the Gracie name.
 
Please enter your initals as your digital signature acknowledging that you have read and agree to the above waiver in full

Upload the Virtual Tour

Please select the video file that will provide potential training partners with a "virtual tour" of your training facility. The video file must be less than 1.5GB and should be in .wmv, .avi, .mpeg, .mp4 or .mov format. If you'd like additional information on video formatting and preparation, please click here. Remember, the video should not exceed 5 minutes in length and must include the following:

  • Welcome Message: Start with an on-camera welcome message discussing the following topics:
    1. Your Name
    2. Martial Arts Background
    3. Source of GJJ Instruction
    4. Training Objectives
    5. Ideal Training Partners
  • Street View: Then, shoot a 360 degree view of the neighboring houses/buildings from the side walk directly in front of the establishment.
  • Training Room View: Maintaining a single, continuous shot from the street view (i.e. no cut-aways, wipes, or other transitions), show the path from the side walk to the actual training room. Once inside, show a 360 degree view of the training room and then show a close-up view of the Grand Master Helio Gracie poster. Also, if the Gracie Combatives DVDs are your source of instruction, please be sure to show DVD collection in your video as well.
Choose File
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Additional Comments 
Add any additional comments you would like to include with your submission.
WARNING: More than half of all Gracie Garage applications are rejected for one of the four reasons listed below. Please ensure that you have properly met all requirements prior to submitting your application.
  1. Grand Master Helio Gracie Poster is not shown in the virtual tour video.
  2. Gracie Combatives DVDs are not shown in the virtual tour video (the only exception to this is if you have purchased the online Gracie Combatives curriculum).
  3. Incomplete Virtual Tour in which the applicant does not effectively answer all the questions regarding ideal training partners, training objectives, etc.
  4. Failure to initial the Waiver/Release Form that will appear on the next page after you click the "submit" button below.

If you are 100% clear on all four of these items go for it! If not, keep it real and redo it correctly.

Your Gracie Garage application has been successfully submitted.

Your Gracie Garage application has been successfully submitted.

We will review your information, watch the virtual tour, and then notify you of your eligibility.

Here is a downloadable pdf of the Waiver and Release you just completed and agreed to: Waiver and Release

IMPORTANT INFORMATION!

Mandatory For All Gracie Garage Participants
After we review your application, if you qualify for Gracie Garage status in our sole discretion, there will be a link to a downloadable Participant Waiver and Release agreement in your “My Lessons” section that you must print out and have signed by all Gracie Garage participants before they begin training at your facility. This form is intended to protect you, the Gracie Garage leader, and certain others, from any potential claims due to person or property damage that may arise from the practice of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and related activities at your facility. It is mandatory that you print this form and have it signed by every person who seeks to participate in training sessions at your facility. It is also mandatory that, on a calendar quarterly basis (1/1, 4/1, 7/1 and 10/1 of every year), and immediately upon our request, you mail a copy of all signed Participant Waiver and Release forms, along with a comprehensive list of all of your Gracie Garage participants, to the Gracie Academy headquarters. Failure to have each Gracie Garage member sign the Participant Waiver and Release agreement and/or failure to submit copies as mentioned above and upon our request is grounds for termination of your Gracie Garage profile in our sole discretion.

Gracie Garage Malpractice
Although Gracie Garages are not certified training centers, nor are the Garage Leaders endorsed to teach, the training sessions conducted at Gracie Garages are expected to be dedicated to the practice of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in accordance with the curriculum and training methods established by the Gracie Academy. Gracie Garage participants are encouraged to notify us of any facilities that promoting unsafe training methods and/or are not adhering to the Gracie Academy curriculum. In the event that we receive a Gracie Garage malpractice report from a participant at your facility, we will promptly investigate the allegation, and, if found to be true, we will have the right to revoke your Gracie Garage status in our sole discretion.