Gracie Jiujitsu Keego Harbor — Local services in Keego Harbor

Love this place. I struggled for several years to find a home I’ve trained at two other Gyms but kept getting hurt. Most gyms are competition gyms and if you’re older, getting into jiu jitsu like me, you Inevitably will end up hurting yourself. Plus most schools evaluate you on rolling and there is no consistent curriculum. It’s pretty much random on what they teach on any given day, but at Gracie, Keego Harbor Safety is the most important thing for them and self-defense first. You will not find another gym in the area that focuses specifically on self-defense. So the beginner program is called Combatives which Is designed specifically for self-defense on the street against an untrained opponent. Very structured you know what you’re going to learn every time you walk in the door. After you complete this program and earn your combative belt then you become part of the master cycle in which you learn more sport oriented techniques, and are introduced to open rolling. One interesting class they offer is something called fight simulation training. What happens is one opponent has gloves on and is throwing punches at you as if simulating a street fight and you practice what you’ve learned in combatives and master cycle. Can’t wait to do that class! I have never been to a Jiu-Jitsu place that did that type of training. The only other gyms I believe do that type of training would be a true MMA gym. If you’re someone older getting into jiujutsu this is a great place. My daughter trains here in the women’s empowered program and she loves it. I have definitely found a home here. All the instructors give you the feeling that they sincerely care about you and it’s not just a business to them.The instructors are top-notch are all certified through the California Academy. I do miss open rolling, but I know once I complete combatives that Will once again be a part of my training. You have to trust in their process and focus on self-defense. Some people might knock this academy for not open, rolling right off the bat, but this is why 90% of people quit other academies. Reason being is they are thrown to the wolves On the first day and expected to spar and they end up hurting themselves and will inevitably quit. I’m happy I found this place and I can see myself training well into my...

My kids are in the Gracie Bully-Proof program. Unlike things like soccer, lego clubs, and cubscouts, my kids have never once said "we don't want to go to Jiu-Jitsu". Every week they look forward to it. They have fun and learn a valuable lesson every week. Don's instruction is clear and to the point. I was a little skeptical at first, but when I saw my 5 and 7 year old look like they were actually doing a martial art along with understanding the responsibilities associated with learning it, I was sold.

After much friendly prodding, Don got me to come into an adult class. Frankly I was hesitant. I was worried that I'd spend the first 3 weeks learning how to fall (judo) or kicking and punching air (karate). That is simply not the case here. Each class is one or two different combative sequences. Everybody in the class, regardless of skill level, works on the same thing. This means that you can come to classes that fit your schedule, without worrying about a learning curve. It is practical from the very beginning.

While his low voice on the phone caused me to initially picture a fat, stereo-typical "black belt" that instructs only from the sidelines, Don is a fit and intelligent instructor that practices what he preaches. He breaks down in real time every critical part of each sequence in a way that anybody can understand. Don is brilliant at...

We had our child here for about a year and a half and this review is strictly about the children's classes, as I can't speak to the adult training. The place is clean, the instructors are friendly and they send a good message about being a better person while keeping active. If that is all you're going for, this place is fine. With that said, the experience leaves a LOT to be desired. There is more emphasis on ranks, belts, etc than real-world training that will help your child and the children do not progress at a level they should, nor are they held accountable. It is basically nothing more than an hour long play-fest. We moved our child to another place after and there was more progression within 2 months there, than there was in 18 months at Gracie. 6 months in to the new training and it's even more evident just how much was lacking in the training at Gracie.

Cliff notes - It's average at best for children and there are better options, but it's not the...