Gracie Barra Blacktown City

I know the head instructor at Gracie Barra St Peters, and he's a really good guy. The atmosphere he tries to cultivate isn't one of "I'm just here to make profit". He actually cares about the art. He actually put me onto the school I now attend; GB Liverpool, where I train with Prof. Gustavo. I know they are very good at prepping people for comps too. (Disclaimer: I did attend GB Wetherill Park some time ago, and it was the biggest example of a 'McDojo' I could give you. It was all about the money. So, the attitude and environment is goin to differ greatly depending on the school). source, 2024 ↗

positive

I trained at 2 Gracie Barras until know, the first one was stricter regarding the uniform rules, however due to the fact that I was doing BJJ full-time while living in my car they just gifted me several kimonos and rashguards in exchange for me doing the kids class once a week which i thought was fair. The academy I am right now does not really mind other Gis except for bigger seminars. They also do not follow the official curriculum. Both had a big hobbyist group and also a very successful competition team, which I like about GB. All in all I think it greatly depends how big the GB associati source, 2024 ↗

positive

What city are you in? And which gym did you go to? (I am asking cause I am also in AU in Sydney). As other people have mentioned the first class everyone feels like that. I did other Jitsu martial art for 4 years prior to Jiu Jitsu and was so damn confused in my first lesson. BJJ is available and open for everyone from all walks of life and every gym I have ever been to has been really friendly and welcoming. With people there for hardcore training, fitness, competition and just to be social. The beauty of it is. You don’t have to be good and you don’t have to be there for the same reason source, 2023 ↗

positive

Truly admire your take mate, but have you met the snobs of inner city Melbourne and Sydney? I'm sure they'd consider jiu-jitsu a knuckle draggers persuit. source, 2022 ↗

neutral

Here’s some of my favourites to visit in different cities: Melbourne: Absolute MMA (St Kilda & CBD), Immersion Ringwood, Mustang Sports Centre Sydney: myBJJ Westside (Lidcombe), Gracie Jiu Jitsu Sydney, (Sydney Wrestling Academy is on my list for next time) Queensland: Full Metal Jiu Jitsu, Base Gracie Jiu Jitsu Outside of that if you’re going through Perth you’d be crazy to not visit William Dias’ gym, he recently got silver at AJP beating Tommy Langaker (controversially), but regardless has an impressive resume. And if you’re driving between Melbourne and Sydney then feel free to st source, 2022 ↗

neutral

I didn't say gyms, I said Jiu Jitsu gyms. There are 2 MMA gyms where you live, one hardly has any classes and the other is pretty light by Sydney standards so for me personally it wouldn't suit. I don't doubt most towns have a normal gym. If you think you just drink beer then you don't understand what I mean by craft beer I'm 45, when I say festivals I don't mean take a couple pills and dance to midday the next day as fun as that was in my 20s. It was pretty clear what I meant The point of my post was to explain that some people actually live a city lifestyle and couldn't live in a smaller source, 2022 ↗

neutral

Personally train at alliance, have been to open sparring, sjja, gracie humaita and higher jiujitsu. Any gym will do if you find the right vibe for you so do some trial classes. Come on down to Alliance source, 2021 ↗

neutral

I would recommend Higher Jiu Jitsu in the CBD. They were formally Pedro Sauer, now Gracie Jiu Jitsu so the element of self defense that you are looking for is there. Excellent fundamental instruction. John the head instructor is a beast. I stopped by there in December while I was visiting Sydney and was not disappointed. First class was free. source, 2018 ↗

positive