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Adult Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

You don't need experience. You don't need to be in shape. You just need to walk through the door. Our adult classes follow the proven Gracie Barra curriculum, taught personally by Professors Zaza and Edgar — two black belts with over 30 years of combined mat time under Master Tussa Alencar. Morning or evening, first day or hundredth — every class meets you where you are.

The adult BJJ program at Gracie Barra Alamo Heights follows the Gracie Barra curriculum — the same structured system taught in over 1,000 schools worldwide. Professor Edgar and Professor Zaza lead classes that take you from day one on the mats through advanced training, with every session building on the last. Between them, they carry over 30 years of experience under Roberto "Tussa" Alencar, and that lineage shows in how they teach: precise, patient, and technically deep.

GB1 Fundamentals is where every practitioner begins. You will learn essential positions, escapes, sweeps, and submissions at a pace that respects your body and experience level. The curriculum maps your progress week by week — no guesswork, no skipped steps. For experienced practitioners, advanced classes and live training push the technical depth and intensity needed to sharpen your game.

Afternoon and evening classes run Monday through Friday, with Saturday morning sessions for those who want to start their weekend on the mats. The schedule is built for working professionals and AHISD families along the Broadway corridor and Austin Highway — training fits your life, not the other way around.

Whether you are a complete beginner looking to get in shape, someone who wants real self-defense skills, or a practitioner chasing competition goals, Gracie Barra Alamo Heights has the instruction and training partners to get you there. Call (210) 864-7909 to schedule your free trial class.

Why Train Adult BJJ?

  • Full-body conditioning that builds functional strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular endurance without repetitive gym routines
  • Practical self-defense skills grounded in real techniques proven over decades of competition and street application
  • Structured progression through the Gracie Barra curriculum with clear belt-and-stripe benchmarks so you always know where you stand
  • Training partners at every experience level — from professionals trying BJJ for the first time to seasoned competitors
  • Stress relief and mental clarity through focused, disciplined training that demands your full attention
  • A tight-knit Alamo Heights community where consistent effort earns respect, not prior athletic ability

Adult BJJ Schedule

Monday 1 class
6:30 PM
GB1 Adult & Teen All Levels
Adult BJJ
Tuesday 1 class
6:30 PM
GB1 Adult & Teen All Levels
Adult BJJ
Wednesday 1 class
6:30 PM
GB1 Adult & Teen All Levels
Adult BJJ
Thursday 1 class
6:30 PM
GB1 Adult & Teen All Levels
Adult BJJ
Friday 1 class
6:30 PM
GB1 Adult & Teen All Levels
Adult BJJ
Saturday 1 class
10:00 AM
GB1 Adult & Teen All Levels
Adult BJJ
Sunday Closed
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Frequently Asked Questions

I have no martial arts experience — can I start adult BJJ?
Yes. The majority of adults who start at Gracie Barra Alamo Heights have zero experience. The GB1 Fundamentals class is designed specifically for that. Professor Zaza breaks down every technique into clear steps, and you train with partners who know how to work with beginners. Nobody expects you to know anything on day one — that is what the curriculum is for.
How often should I train as a beginner?
Two to three sessions per week is a strong starting point. Gracie Barra Alamo Heights offers adult classes throughout the week — mornings, midday, and evenings — so you have options. Consistency matters more than volume. Training twice a week and showing up every week will produce better results than training five days one week and disappearing the next. Professor Zaza can help you plan a schedule that fits your life.
Will I get hurt training BJJ?
Minor soreness is normal when you start any physical activity, but BJJ at Gracie Barra Alamo Heights is structured to minimize injury risk. Professor Zaza enforces controlled drilling before any live sparring, and beginners are not thrown into full-intensity rounds. You tap when something is uncomfortable, your partner releases immediately, and training resumes. That mutual respect is fundamental to how Gracie Barra schools operate.
What is the difference between GB1 Fundamentals and advanced classes?
GB1 Fundamentals covers the core positions, escapes, sweeps, and submissions that form the backbone of Jiu-Jitsu. At Gracie Barra Alamo Heights, every student begins here regardless of athletic background. Once you develop solid fundamentals and earn your coach's recommendation, you progress to advanced classes that introduce more complex techniques, longer sparring rounds, and competition-oriented training. The curriculum ensures you are ready before you move up.
Do I need to be in shape to start?
No. You get in shape by training — not the other way around. Adults of every fitness level start at Gracie Barra Alamo Heights and improve steadily. The warm-ups, drilling, and sparring build strength, flexibility, and cardio over time. Professor Zaza and the coaches scale intensity to your current ability. Within a few weeks, you will notice real changes in how your body feels and performs. Call (210) 864-7909 to schedule your free class.

Ready To Get Started?

Your first class is free. No experience needed.

Reserve My Free Class Now

Questions? Call us at (210) 864-7909