Gracie University (Headquarters)

  • Overview
  • Class Schedule
  • Program Pricing
  • 10 Questions
  • Instructors
  • Video Tour
  • News/Events

In 1925, Carlos Gracie established the first Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Brazil. In 1978, Rorion Gracie brought Gracie Jiu-Jitsu to the United States, and in 1989 he established the first Gracie Academy on North American soil in Torrance, California.

To accommodate the worldwide expansion of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, in 2017, Ryron and Rener moved the family business to an even larger facility and established “Gracie University” to reflect the shift from a single academy to a global organization. Not only is our Torrance location one of the most successful martial arts schools in the world, with over 1,000 students, but it also serves as the global headquarters for hundreds of Certified Training Centers and over 150,000 home-study students learning online in 196 countries. Whether you live in Southern California, or you’re just visiting, we invite you to join us on the green mats in “Jiu-Jitsu Heaven” to experience first-hand the beauty, simplicity and effectiveness of the art.

Specialized Programs for the Entire Family
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is for everyone! While most schools teach the art with a "one size fits all" approach, at Gracie University, we offer specialized group class programs for the entire family: Gracie Bullyproof for kids (ages 3-12), Women Empowered for the ladies, Gracie Combatives for beginner adults, and the Master Cycle for advanced practitioners. For three generations, the Gracie family’s primary focus has been to teach jiu-jitsu in a way that is welcoming, safe, and easy for new students, especially those with no previous experience. Today, our proprietary programs, safety-first teaching style, and our beginner-friendly introductory classes, allow anyone to experience the magic of jiu-jitsu without feeling intimidated or overwhelmed.

To watch some awesome intro videos and to learn more about each of our proprietary self-defense programs, click here.

Visitors from Around the World
At Gracie University, we are very accustomed to having visitors join us on the big green mat from all over the world, and we love it! If you are a dedicated Gracie University online student and would like to come to Torrance to meet your instructors and have your techniques verified in person, we can’t wait to see you! If you are a CTC student and would like to take a family vacation to Southern California, don’t hesitate to swing by for some classes taught in familiar fashion! If you are a dedicated BJJ student from another affiliation, and would like to come spend some time learning our curriculum and experiencing the Gracie way, our mat is always open to you!

Whether you visiting are for one day, or for several months, contact a Student Services Representative at [email protected] so we can help you plan your stay!

Personal Training
While our proprietary group class programs are enjoyed by tens of thousands of students all over the world, it’s been proven that personal training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu provides students with greater comprehension in less time. In a one-on-one environment, the instructor has the flexibility to operate outside the established structure and specific techniques of the group class programs to create a personalized curriculum based on your unique strengths and weaknesses to help you reach your training objectives in the least amount of time possible.

Personal training offers maximum scheduling flexibility, day or night; if it works for you, we’ll make it happen. Moreover, if you can’t come to us, just let us know where you live, and we’ll come to you! To learn more about personal training or to schedule your first class, click here.

10-Day Free Trial
Most BJJ schools limit new students to one free trial class. We offer new students a 10-day free trial that includes unlimited access to all of our beginner group classes for 10 consecutive days. We’re confident that the curriculum, the camaraderie, and quality of the instruction will exceed all your expectations. If that’s not the case, just let us know, and we will never charge you for any of the classes you attended.

To take advantage of our 10-day free trial, or to schedule an introductory private class, simply contact our Student Services Team Lead, Traeci Balubar, by calling (310) 893-0400 or send an email to [email protected]!

Gracie Combatives®
  $180 8x/Month

Gracie Combatives is our beginner program for adults. In this program, you will learn the 36 core techniques of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in a fun, safe, and cooperative environment. Each one-hour lesson addresses one standing and one ground self-defense technique. You can start the program at any time and participate in any class without previous experience and, since safety is our number one concern, there is no competitive sparring in this program. Upon successful completion of the Gracie Combatives program, you will qualify for advancement into the Master Cycle advanced jiu-jitsu program! Watch Intro

Learn more about Gracie Combatives.

Gracie Bullyproof®
  $180 8x/Month

Gracie Bullyproof is a confidence and character development program for children (ages 3-12). This program is broken up into four groups based on age and skill level (Mat Munchkins, Little Champs, Jr. Grapplers and Black Belt Club) and no experience is necessary to get started. Your child will learn verbal assertiveness skills as well as non-violent self-defense techniques to stay safe if physically assaulted. We don’t teach the children how to punch or kick; instead, we use leverage-based control holds to neutralize threats without violence. Bottom line: we will prepare your child to neutralize bullies without becoming one! Watch Intro

Learn more about Gracie Bullyproof.

Women Empowered®
  $180 8x/Month

Women Empowered is our official self-defense program for women. We will provide you with the physical and psychological tools to defend against the 15 most common threats against women. You can start the program at any time and participate in any class without previous experience. Unlike most self-defense systems that rely heavily on strength, speed, and coordination, the techniques in the Women Empowered program employ leverage, technique, and timing, so anyone, regardless of age or athletic ability, can learn and apply the techniques with ease. Once you successfully complete the Women Empowered program, you will be awarded your pink belt! Watch Intro

Learn more about Women Empowered.

Master Cycle®
  $200 8x/Month

The Master Cycle is a clearly defined, systematic advanced Gracie Jiu-Jitsu program designed to take you from blue to black belt. By organizing all of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu into seven positional chapters (Mount, Side Mount, Guard, Half Guard, Back Mount, Leg Locks, Standing), you will be able to fully commit to the study of the intricacies and nuances of each position for several weeks, before moving on to the next chapter. If you've achieved the rank of Gracie Combatives belt or higher in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and you would like to continue on the path to BJJ black belt in a safe, structured, and friendly learning environment, the Master Cycle is for you! Watch Intro

Learn more about The Master Cycle.

Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat Sun
Gracie Combatives
7:00 AM -
8:00 AM

11:00 AM -
12:00 PM

8:00 PM -
9:00 PM
12:30 PM -
1:30 PM

6:30 PM -
7:30 PM
8:00 PM -
9:00 PM
12:30 PM -
1:30 PM

6:30 PM -
7:30 PM
7:00 AM -
8:00 AM
10:00 AM -
11:00 AM
Reflex Development
11:00 AM -
12:00 PM

6:30 PM -
7:30 PM
Master Cycle
12:00 PM -
1:30 PM

6:30 PM -
8:00 PM
7:00 AM -
8:30 AM

11:00 AM -
12:30 PM

8:30 PM -
9:30 PM
6:30 PM -
8:00 PM
7:00 AM -
8:30 AM

11:00 AM -
12:30 PM

7:30 PM -
9:00 PM
12:00 PM -
1:30 PM

7:30 PM -
9:00 PM
9:00 AM -
10:00 AM
Women Empowered
7:30 PM -
8:30 PM
11:30 AM -
12:30 PM
Little Champs (Ages 5-7)
5:30 PM -
6:30 PM
4:15 PM -
5:15 PM
5:30 PM -
6:30 PM
1:30 PM -
2:30 PM
Jr. Grapplers (Ages 8-12)
4:15 PM -
5:15 PM
5:30 PM -
6:30 PM
4:15 PM -
5:15 PM
12:30 PM -
1:30 PM
Black Belt Club (Advanced Kids)
4:30 PM -
5:30 PM
4:30 PM -
5:30 PM
Mat Munchkins (Ages 3-5)
3:45 PM -
4:15 PM
Gracie Teens
5:30 PM -
6:30 PM
5:30 PM -
6:30 PM
Class schedule subject to change. Additional notes below:
  1. The Master Cycle classes on Monday and Thursday are no-gi. Students are required to wear official Gracie University no-gi attire. On Thursday, students are required to bring protective gear (blue sparring gloves/mouthguard) for fight simulation training.
  2. The Reflex Development Classes on Friday are for advanced Gracie Combatives students. To qualify to participate in Reflex Development Classes students must first complete each of the 23 Gracie Combatives lessons two times.

Alexander Stuart
Bobbie Timario
Brian Ortega
Eve Torres
Guido Jenniges
James DeLuca
Patrick Cruz
Rener Gracie
Reylan Gracie
Ryron Gracie
Samuel Fernandez
Victoria Gracie
Zac Cunningham


The world is falling in love with jiu-jitsu because it works! If you're still on the fence, here are the answers to the 10 most common questions asked by first-time students:
Jiu-jitsu is designed to empower the weak against the strong and there are no physical prerequisites to get started. Literally ANYONE can learn jiu-jitsu especially when taught the Gracie way!
No problem! Our beginner programs are specifically designed, from a structure and a safety perspective, for first-time jiu-jitsu practitioners, which is why we have the most successful jiu-jitsu schools in the world.
No, we love you exactly how you are. You don't get in shape to learn jiu-jitsu, you do jiu-jitsu to get in shape!
Just show up in comfortable workout attire and we'll provide everything you need. No special training equipment or protective gear is required.
No. Most of our schools operate on a first-name basis and a handshake.
Yes, you can bring a water bottle and store it near the edge of the mat.
As a first-time student, we will pair you up with a slightly more experienced student who can answer your questions and help guide your learning throughout the class.
If you get injured or embarrassed you won't come back. Everything about our beginner programs was specifically designed to make the classes as safe and encouraging for new students as possible.
Yes. Referrals are our number one source of business. Jiu-jitsu is so fun and addictive that people can't help but talk about it to their friends. Feel free to bring a friend to any beginner class you attend!
It will be the best class of your life. Watch the video for a detailed breakdown of what to expect.
If any of your questions remain unanswered, contact us and we'll be get back to you right away. Otherwise, click here to sign up for your 10-day free trial today!