Gracie Barra Kendall Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Self Defense
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About the Gym
- Martial art focusing on grappling and ground fighting.
- Uses leverage, technique, and strategy for overcoming opponents of various sizes.- Suitable for Beginners:
- Classes designed for those with no prior BJJ experience.
- Comprehensive instruction provided by experienced instructors.- Physical Fitness Requirements:
- No need to be in peak physical condition to start training.- Programs accommodate different fitness levels.
- Kids' Classes:
- Specialized programs teaching discipline, self-confidence, respect, and practical self-defense skills in a safe environment.- Self-Defense Benefits:
- Effective for ground fighting scenarios.- Techniques allow neutralizing/control of opponents without relying on size or strength.
- Equipment Needed:
- Loaner/rental equipment provided initially.- Essential items include BJJ gi (uniform), mouthguard, and protective gear like knee pads/rash guards.
- Training Frequency:
- Recommended starting with a few classes per week for beginners.- Consistency is key to building a solid foundation; balance training with recovery needs.
- Belt Rankings:
- Signify progress and skill level.- Traditional belt colors: white, blue, purple, brown, black.
- Advancement through regular evaluations by qualified instructors.- Unique Aspects/Special Features:
- Focus on community support and a safe learning environment for all ages and skill levels.Class Schedule
No Schedule Available
This gym hasn't added their class schedule yet. Check back later or contact them directly for class times.
What Reddit says about Gracie Barra Kendall Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Self Defense
8 verbatim community mentions from r/bjj and city subreddits, unedited, positives and negatives alike.
Valente Bros are definitely an odd branch of bjj. Their gi sleeves are way shorter and they do punches and kicks as part of their curriculum. My first school back in the early 00's was a Gracie Miami affiliate and they drilled it into our heads that we were studying the true original form of Helio Gracie style of bjj and not the watered down stuff every one else was doing at the time. source, 2025 ↗
neutral
lol nobody is scared of this dude . I know 165 lb bjj blue belts that would MURK this dude . I don’t live in Miami or I’d easily tell him to swing by my bjj gym and it would the most humbling experience. His entire crew would literally get mopped like the Gracie’s did back in Brazil 🇧🇷 where they used to dojo storm and leave no one standing source, 2024 ↗
neutral
Yes, I switched from a very high level Rilion Gracie school in Miami, to Lucas Lepri school in Charlotte, NC. It's fun learning everyone's game and definitely got thrown to the wolves, but thankful to my professors back in Miami because the BJJ is rock solid and i've done very well in my new gym as a result source, 2024 ↗
positive
I am from south Florida. A guy I know who got his black belt under the Valentes and now owns his own unaffiliated school told me that after getting his black belt he went to a seminar in NY and got to train with people outside his academy for the first time and got destroyed by purple belts and had a really had time with some blue belts, that he felt embarrassed of his belt. Take into consideration that he was in his early 30's at that time and had been training over 12 years. He originally had plans to open a school under the Valentes but this incident got him thinking. This guy was one source, 2024 ↗
neutral
Miami 100% or MAYBE Las Vegas ,strong bar and club culture and all the things that come with it. Plus i dont think any of these cities have a stronger MMA/BJJ scene than the Miami metro, you have alot of serious competition in the area and people like the Gracies and Valente brothers (who trained under Helio) teaching there, also consider Ft.Lauderdale source, 2024 ↗
neutral
They haven't been a major team in a minute but Rilion Gracie/Gracie Elite has always been a good coach/team. You already said Fight Sports. Enrico Cocco's Zen Jiu-Jitsu, they aren't all affiliated with Fight Sports. Leo D’avila and Luccas Lira and the Atos Miami team are building something cool. Roberto Gordo is based in Florida. American Top Team fields some competitors. They don't have a John Danaher, B-Team, and Tackett brothers, which to me makes Austin, Texas the place to be, not Texas itself. But they have a nice scene. source, 2023 ↗
positive
My first school 20 years ago was a Gracie Miami affiliate run by the Valente Brothers. Pedro was a nice guy but they spoke a lot about how they train and teach the “true” art developed by Helio. They would make a point in saying most Gracie’s had already moved away from Helio’s style and were no longer true Gracie JJ. We did a shit load of self defense training (basically the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Book by Royce and Charles Gracie) and some rolling. My instructor was a purple belt at the time and as soon as I got my blue belt I quit. I got back into bjj 1.5 years ago and looked up my old instr source, 2023 ↗
positive
Carlson gracie>nova geracao>fight sports =heavy pressure. Leon is the man source, 2015 ↗
neutral
Quotes collected from public Reddit threads; opinions belong to their authors. Data updates as new threads appear.