Gracie University of Jiu-Jitsu — Local services in Torrance

I used to think highly of Gracie University for its bold decision to publish its curriculum and make jiu-jitsu accessible to a wider audience. Unfortunately, my experience with their headquarters has shown that, while their curriculum is excellent, their leadership and customer service are severely lacking. I reached out to headquarters to clarify the live verification test process after receiving conflicting and unclear information from my CTC in Davis. When speaking with Alicia at headquarters, she assured me that the process was straightforward: Evon just needed to submit a live verification test request, and they could handle it from there. She even said she would send Evon an email with step-by-step instructions and include me in the communication for transparency. However, the email she sent was entirely different in tone and content. It had a scolding tone, mentioned limitations related to the CTC’s probationary status, and made no effort to outline the steps for submitting the request. Instead of offering clear guidance, the email only added confusion and left me unsure of what to do next. Additionally, headquarters has portrayed my visit in an exaggerated and negative light, acting as though I was yelling, demanding, and even barging in on a private event. In reality, I was jovial and professional, simply seeking clarity on how to move forward after feeling dismissed multiple times before. I went to headquarters during normal business hours and spoke with the front reception desk, which only adds to the fact that my actions were entirely reasonable. I approached the situation in good faith, hoping to speak with someone who could clarify the process and provide accurate information. Instead of being welcomed as a student trying to follow their system, I was met with a harsh reaction and ultimately had my membership terminated. Adding to the confusion, much of the communication I received included awkward and irrelevant commentary. In some forwarded emails, headquarters mentioned the CTC’s probation status, emphasized the proprietary nature of their curriculum, and implied that I might be attempting to circumvent policies. I had no real context for these comments, nor were they central to my goal of testing. My inquiries were straightforward: I wanted to understand how to test and had even requested to test with one of their own black belts, which seemed entirely within their policies. Instead of focusing on providing clear guidance, they sidetracked the conversation with unrelated issues that only further muddied the process. The situation escalated when Gracie University abruptly terminated my membership without warning or a reasonable explanation. The termination was based on vague allegations, including an incident reported by the CTC owner about a comment made by my son that was never discussed with me. Rather than investigating the matter thoroughly or giving me an opportunity to address the concerns, headquarters took a heavy-handed approach that left me feeling unwelcome, unsupported, and worse yet, unheard. Despite my attempt to resolve this matter, I have been met with silence, just as I was during previous instances when I sought guidance. This pattern of being dismissed or ignored has only reinforced my frustration and disillusionment with their customer service. This mishandling of the situation reflects a broader issue of mismanagement and lack of accountability at Gracie University. As the central authority, they should ensure consistency between their policies and the actions of their CTC’s, but in this case, they failed to do so. Their inability to mediate effectively or even confirm key details has tarnished their reputation in my eyes. This experience has completely changed my view of Gracie University. While their curriculum is excellent, an organization that does not value its students or address their concerns with professionalism and integrity is not one I can support. Leadership matters, and Gracie University’s failure to live up to its values has undermined the trust I once...

Exceptional Jiu-Jitsu Training and Environment at Gracie University!

From the moment my child began attending Gracie University, the improvement has been nothing short of spectacular. The private instruction has propelled his skills beyond his wildest imaginations, and for that, we are immensely grateful. What truly sets this school apart is its balanced approach; it melds fun seamlessly with the essential lessons. The Game Day activities are a blast, and the life lessons on respect, discipline, humility, and altruism, imparted in every class, are invaluable.

The program here is absolutely outstanding, but one of the unsung heroes of Gracie University is the unparalleled level of cleanliness. The bathroom and shower facilities are reminiscent of those at Equinox—spotless, with no foul odors or overlooked details. Every time I visit, there are dedicated staff meticulously detailing the locker room—cleaning lockers inside, outside, and even on top!

Furthermore, the front desk team is always wonderful, helpful, and informative, providing a welcoming face and all the information needed upon entry. It's evident from the joyful demeanor of the staff that they genuinely enjoy their roles, which greatly enhances the overall environment.

Mats Cleanliness: The cleanliness of the mats at Gracie University is truly commendable. After every class, the mats are meticulously cleaned and sanitized, ensuring a safe and hygienic environment for all practitioners. This rigorous cleaning routine not only prevents the spread of germs but also reflects the school’s commitment to providing a top-notch training experience. The dedication to cleanliness is evident, with every detail cared for, which makes training here a worry-free experience for students and parents alike.

Facility and Private Instruction: Gracie University boasts a spacious, wide-open mat area that provides ample room for group classes, allowing students to practice without any constraints. Additionally, the availability of 1:1 training rooms for private instruction has proven to be immensely useful. These private spaces offer a tailored training environment that is perfect for focusing on specific techniques or addressing individual learning needs. The thoughtful layout of the facility, combining open mat spaces with private rooms, enhances the learning experience and supports the development of every student.

The Gracie family here is indeed doing all the right things, creating a nurturing and immaculate space for learning and growth. If you're considering a place for Jiu-Jitsu, I can't recommend Gracie University highly enough. They're truly in a league...

My daughter wanted to try out ju jitsu for the first time, so we booked a free 10-day trial online. It was very easy. I received a phone call to help me finish booking the trial and to help me understand which class would be best for my daughter. My husband took her to her first class and said it was an amazing experience, and that I needed to take her to the next class. I took her to the next Bulleyproof class with my older daughter.

The front staff was friendly and helpful, the locker room was amazing and had everything you would ever need, the space for the class is huge and allows parents and family to sit comfortably while watching the class and not feel like you are intruding. I was already amazed.

The class started and I could tell she was having a lot of fun as she couldn't stop smiling. The instructor, Zac, emphasized honesty, integrity and doing the right thing, even if there would be consequences as they warmed up. He then taught them numerous moves to help the kids learn to defend themselves. You could tell even the teacher was having a great time. There are always numerous teachers there to walk around and help the kids adjust the moves or they would do the moves with the kids so they knew how to do it correctly. Then they would stop and come together as a group again to learn the next move before they break off into partners to practice it. The teachers were so supportive and made the class so fun, that my older daughter and I wanted to jump in and join the class.

So.....we signed up for the Women's Empowerment Class. It was another great experience. It's always nerve-wracking when you start something new because you feel out of place at first and unsure of what to do, but Eve, our instructor, made us feel really comfortable. She partnered us with experienced and friendly ladies that helped us do the new moves that were so foreign to us. We were so surprised how we learned so much in the first class and felt like we could actually do the moves! It did feel very empowering. We had a great time and definitely look forward to...