Gracie Barra University

ZERO STARS. Worst experience I have ever had dealing with a business. I am still in the process of being given the run around — it’s been almost 3 months — to cancel my membership. I ended up changing my credit card number because they kept attempting to charge my card and they still don’t get it.
I came to two classes for the «free 30 days» offer that I saw on Facebook but as another reviewer mentioned it’s BS. I came to two classes and then was sat down to go over membership. Well there is no indication of monthly price ANYWHERE on their website so I was shocked to find out that it was so expensive. I’m completely new to this so I didn’t know what to expect. I signed up with Gavin who is the manager of some kind.
I was reluctant to sign up and told him I need to think about it because I had no idea how expensive it was (lowest being about $ 150/​mo if you get a «deal»). Then I thought maybe, but I absolutely was not willing to give him my CC info that day. Well after a 30 minute conversation back and forth of all these GUARANTEES that I could cancel whenever I want and that if I don’t sign up right then I won’t get any of these special deals, I unfortunately did it.
The following morning, literally less than 12 hours, later I emailed Gavin that I can’t afford that kind of membership. I thought it was taken care of and he understood because of how unsure I was when signing up. And why the hell would there be a complicated cancellation if I had just filled out the paperwork only the night before? Instead of making it clear to me that I had to go through another department «billing» (which is so obvious a run around they use all the time), he doesn’t do anything and in a few weeks I get a charge on my credit card.
I have been emailing them back and forth since October (it’s now January) to cancel this f*ing thing and I can’t believe they are stilling trying to charge my credit card. I blocked their merchant ID before changing my card number so I still get an email saying there was an attempt. I NEVER ATTENDED A SINGLE CLASS outside of the little 30 day «promo» and they’re trying to tell me I need to attend 8 classes before I have an *option* to cancel! WTF?
Just look at the current negative reviews on Unilocal — clearly this is an ongoing issue that new students feel taken advantage of. I will never do business with ANY Gracie Barra University and in fact I will be going out of my way to tell my friends what a horrible place this is.
I don’t know who Gavin is exactly but I would have never put him in charge. I am so pissed off at the way this whole thing was handled. I feel bad for the current students that are trusting him with their well being and personal information.
I would recommend more upfront pricing instead of lousy sales tactics. And an option to pay by class. I’m sure the classes and training are good but what a COMPLETE joke of a business. Hope to find a place that will not twist my arm to sign up and will actually listen to me instead of trying to screw me over.

I hate to do this but I was seriously offended by my visit to this gym.
–mats were cheap and dirty and looked like they were never mopped.
–My body broke out in hives after we were done (most likely bc of dirty mats)
— Instructor left the session constantly
–My husband and I were cornered after our trial session by the instructor. And he was practically trying to force us to sign up that very instant. He was saying it’s about 1k each person to sign up including uniform etc unless we signed up that very second. Sorry guy but my daddy is a salesman and those tactics don’t work on me. He was super aggressive with the sale pitch, and my husband and I felt super uncomfortable. Once I said we are just not doing it– he pretty much growled at me.
I do not recommend this gym.
–but the people we met during class were very pleasant and friendly.

Be warned. The free month training is BS as they sign you up after your first train, then charge you for a months training and say they will refund it if you change your mind. Also they signed me up but did not give me a copy of the ‘contract’. After a month I decided I could not afford to continue training at $ 156 per month. They told me I was a few days over the 30 day trial and I would have to pay $ 195 to discontinue training which was a registration fee they had ‘waived’ when I first signed up. The jujitsu is good and the instructors are good but the way they do business is crappy. Do not sign anything after the first train. Better still go somewhere else where the free trial really is free.

I never thought to train in jiu jitsu, but I walked in anyway and after the first class, I was hooked! The coaches are all amazing and never hesitate to help you even after the class is over. The other colored belts are amazing with advice and really helping your game.
I even had a friend visit from California who trained judo for years and recently started jiu jitsu. I still get calls from him telling me how amazing Gracie Barra is and how quickly he was able to learn techniques in just one week.
After watching my first jiu jitsu competition, I saw how many people showed up just to support the rest of the team and it was amazing to see the camaraderie. Everyone here treats each other like family on and off the mats. Whether its to work out, compete, or just find a new hobby, Gracie Barra makes it easy to add jiu jitsu into your daily routine. Definitely the best decision Ive made since moving to Hawaii!

I was going to wait to write this review after a month but I can’t. I’ve been wanting to try jiu jitsu for awhile now and found this place. IT’S GREAT. Since day one, I’ve been excited and eager to go. The people there are super friendly, being new, they helped me with the different techniques step by step, even skipping their turn just so I could get it down correctly. Not once have I felt singled out. You’ll realize rather quickly everyone is family and they openly invite you to do things. It’s great. I’m looking forward to growing at Gracie Barra. If you’re thinking about doing it, stop thinking, and do it! You won’t regret it!!!

While the Instructors are knowledgeable and friendly, don’t let that fool you. This is a business, regardless of what they say about a family climate. The push will be to get you to sign the contract your first visit. If you decide to take the «30 Day Trial» you will have to pay a significantly higher rate for your tuition. Their contract has built in loopholes that they hold to more than a third rate insurance company.
Pros:
–Good instructors
–Family environment (the kind of family that supports you until you leave)
Cons:
–Mats are right next to the floor to ceiling glass windows
–Sparring is done from the knees only, no stand up (probably because you are right next to the windows)
–You can only use their (overpriced) uniforms, if they don’t have your size they will sell you a different size with no remorse.
–Mats are the cheap foam used for a daycare play area
Overall just buyer be wary

I have trained in different aspects of Martial Arts since I was young. Wanting to expand my knowledge, I took up BJJ and grappling through the U.S. Military and through a different BJJ school. Not having any experience with any ground game, grappling was very new to me. The previous school that I had attended was okay in terms of training and learning. However, the atmosphere with the professor felt as though he was very political with choosing who he trained more and promoted as well.
Finding Gracie Barra through a really close friend of mine, I was hesitant at first, due to the fact that I had invested some time in my present academy. I had attended a class with him to try it out. I was astounded to see such a family-​like atmosphere with such wonderful people. There are many people with different skill levels that will help you gain the knowledge and experience you need to evolve both as a Jiu-​Jitsu practitioner and as a person. Professor Elias is very knowledgeable in what he teaches, but better yet, he is a very great guy to talk to and know making it easier to learn from. I loved Gracie Barra from the get go, I got some of my friends to try it out and they signed up in a heart beat.
I would recommend Gracie Barra to anybody just trying out BJJ, wanting to try it out, or even has experience with it but is looking for a new school to expand with. This is a great place for children and family to get active with.

this is a great place to learn jiujitsu, the instructors are all nice and very helpful to beginners. i started off with zero knowledge when it came to grappling but am learning quickly thanks to the class structure.
the entire place feels very welcoming and everyone has been nothing but nice.
i would highly recommend checking out their free 30 day try out like i did before you sign up and gauge to see if this is the right place for you. im sure you wont be disappointed.

These guys will dupe you into a contract that costs 400 dollars to get out of when you go to the class and find out its not for you. The fundamentals class is not a beginner class by any means. This place is a SCAM. Readers beware.

I started training Jiu-​Jitsu in 2008 after checking out a few different places the few years before and doing Muay Thai for a couple years while still in college. I made the move in 2009 to Gracie Barra and it was one of the best decisions in my life.
Due to some personal factors, I had to take some time away in the middle of 2010 and just made my way back a few months ago and it sparked my love for the Gentle Art once again. GB is cool because you get quality instruction, lots of class variety, and compassionate coaches. I know, I know, there’s no room for compassion in martial arts, at least if you have that 80s Cobra Kai Karate Kid mentality. But IMO, that’s something that is important in this day and age and I’m all about that versus outdated ways of living.
What I love most about Jiu-​Jitsu is what it teaches me about life. This school is a great place because to dabble in learning about life if that’s what your down with as well. I’ve never seen such a broad demographic of people who train nor have I ever been so welcomed by so many different people from various walks of life. GB really is like family.

My first Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) school ever and I have to tell you this is a well structured school. They have a fundamentals class, advanced class, as well as a black belt program if you decide to pursue a career in BJJ. Everyone gets along real well, yet we train hard when it comes to specific training/​sparring. Current Instructor is a four stripe black belt directly from Brazil so you know its the real deal.