On Saturday, October 11, 2014, Gracie Barra Vancouver & Raz Chan Fitness presented Women's…read moreSelf-Defense Seminar as a fundraising event for Battered Women's Support Services. Seventeen women attended and it was excellent!! Much gratitude to Raz Chan, Anica Simon, Max Rathburn, Norm Leung, Andrea, Robert and Carla. It was excellent!!

Before coming to Gracie Barra, I had already been a hardcore MMA fan for years. That said, I'd…read morenever really trained in martial arts before and the few attempts were awful: I tried wrestling in college, but the program at my school consisted of doing around 600 crunches and countless push-ups while rarely actually receiving any instruction on techniques. The judo program I tried was filled with "alphas" who were more intent on putting new guys through the floor more than anything else. As such, you can understand my hesitation about joining a martial arts gym again. It was something I was naturally curious about but, given my prior experiences, extremely nervous. So after doing a LOT of research about all the various schools in the Vancouver and Richmond areas, I settled on Gracie Barra and now, a year later, I cannot imagine having chosen any other gym. One thing that really sets GB apart from other gyms is how beginner friendly their method of instruction is. New students are paired off with more experienced students who are more interested in helping and encouraging more than anything else. If you're not in the best physical shape or have never trained in a martial art, this is hugely beneficial. It'll encourage you to keep going and ensure that you keep getting better, learning all the time. GB emphasizes the "family" aspect, which means that all the students are there to help each other grow, not crush each other to satisfy their egos. Because of this, GB has a really, really positive atmosphere that makes it easy to learn and that'll keep you coming back until suddenly, you realize that you're not the new guy anymore. That's another thing too: Gracie Barra has fantastic people. Whether it's the instructors or your fellow students, these are all people that you'd genuinely want to hang out with. Even if it wasn't at all something you were expecting or looking for when you joined, you WILL end up making friends here, from all walks of life. I cannot overemphasize how huge a boon this is, especially for beginners. The bottom-line is this: if you're really interested in martial arts and want to get in shape, give this place a try. It doesn't matter if you're grossly out of shape or laughably uncoordinated and clumsy; GB WILL make you better without EVER annihilating you or making you feel badly about yourself. If you're nervous about trying a martial arts gym, there is nothing to fear about GB: just great people and great instructors. As for the technical aspects: Gracie Barra's bread and butter is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and there are students and instruction at all belt/skill-levels, with classes divided accordingly. There are also classes for muay thai, boxing, and conditioning. The average Gracie Barra class follows this structure: Warm-up (5-10 minutes genuinely geared to WARMING YOUUP, not making you puke) Technique 1 (usually a takedown, demonstrated, then drilled back and forth with a partner) Technique 2 (something on the ground, either a transition, escape, or submission) Technique 3 (again, something else on the ground, generally a natural extension of technique 2) Sparring So yeah, if you're at all interested in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or curious GO TO GRACIE BARRA! You will not regret it. There is no gym that is more supportive to your growth both as a person and as a martial artist.

Great club! Great coaching! Clean new club. Hands on training with 4th degree black belt instructor…read moreEduardo Cadena. Strongly affiliated with several Infight Jiu-Jitsu clubs around the lower mainland and Brazil. Very positive training atmosphere. Club also has great cardio kickboxing classes, MMA classes and kids classes. There are a wide range of different types of students, some highly competitive tournament players, some just there for health and self defense. Everyone is welcomed. Really can't say enough about how great this club is.

Great cardio kickboxing classes in Burnaby! In the same location where Urban Fitness used to be…read more Classes run Tuesday, Thursday, Saturdays and Sundays. Convenient location and great cardio and fitness work outs. Close to Starbucks!

PTT offers a great space with excellent instructors. This is definitely the place to train jiu…read morejitsu and muay thai in Abbotsford.

Beautiful gym, World class, and family friendly instructors…read more This gym has been built for the student, wether they be 4 or 40. The instructors here truly care that their students are having fun and enjoying themselves while they are learning. They have they biggest mats space in the lower mainland if not BC, and are kept super clean. I started jiu jitsu and fell in love with the sport, and wanted my young daughter (3 at the time, she's now 4 turning 5)to be able to join with me and have it something we can share. We had attempted to enroll her in another martial arts school in town, but the environment there was not nurturing to her and she hated it. (My worst fear) We switched to ptt Abby 3 weeks ago and I am overjoyed to report that she has a renewed passion and love for the sport, the coaches make her feel like family and keep things fun and light. Teaching her respect and discipline at the same time maintaining a caring demeanor. She went from barely being able to make it through a 30 min class at the other gym, to now she does 2 classes back to back for a total of 90min . She loves training with her friends and begs me after daycare to go to her class. The knowledge my daughter has learned in such little time has also helped her with dealing with a schoolyard bully by herself, and reinforcing her own self confidence. I can't say enough great thing about these guys. World Class instructors in a clean, friendly and welcoming environment. They are always available and having classes in the day and night really helps me maintain training consistently even though I'm a shift worker. Give these guys a trial and you will not be disappoint

Excellent place to learn BJJ. Highest quality coaching, plenty of options in terms of class times…read moreand levels for both gi and nogi. Skill level ranges from beginners with no prior experience to high level competitors at all belt levels and all age groups. A very positive, welcoming atmosphere makes it very easy to train here. I've been training here since 2014 and the gym has been consistently improving each year in some way or another. For more advanced students, it should be an easy choice, Thomas Lisboa is one of the best BJJ coaches out there and you will also have a multitude of accomplished competitors to train with.

Alliance Vancouver is like a second home for my kids and I. There are great Professors and staff…read more Very clean facility and has showers! The overall philosophy at the gym is respectful, welcoming and friendly. Do not hesitate to come by and train.

I've tried different martial arts schools over the years, so I've had master teachers and mediocre…read moreones. Jeff, David, Pat, Jess, and the other instructors here are the best of the best: methodical, knowledgeable, hilarious, caring badasses. My son is intellectually disabled. When I told them that, they beamed and said they'd give him whatever attention he needs. And they do. Get ready to roll.

I was hesitant at first because I dislike drama, but I feel like this gym needs to be held…read moreaccountable, and this is the only way I can do it. I started bringing my 5- and 7-year-olds here for just under a year. They loved it; they made friends; my daughter competed in and won a huge tournament. I had truly thought I had found a treasure for my kids to grow in. My children are young, and the instructors here will encourage you, as a parent, to help your kids follow instructions and practice the techniques they are teaching. I had been doing this with my daughter and son every time we went; it was completely acceptable and encouraged. This is where everything went horribly wrong.....My daughter was practicing drills with a young boy I had known for quite some time. She was using the sweep technique incorrectly, so I quickly got on the floor with her and said, "Grab his collar or sleeves." Stop grabbing the back of his head. I got up and went back to my seat, as I had so many times before. I did not speak to this boy or even look at him; I only communicated with my daughter. For some reason, whatever I said to my daughter upset this boy; his mom became irate, and they stormed out of the gym. I got a call a few days later from 2 of the main coaches: "Jesse, we watched the video, and you did nothing wrong, but you can't come back to the gym. They also have cameras that prove everything I am saying. But because this boy is now disturbed by what I did and has a mother full of vitriol and hatred, their solution is to kick me out of the gym for doing exactly what they told me to do. I am the only one who can drive my kids to practice; they can no longer do jujitsu here. If you have kids and want to get them involved in Jujitsu, avoid this place at ALL COSTS. I imagine they will respond to this and try to defend themselves, but it's all bullshit, and I have proof. I will not forget this. And if the "mother" reads this, I hope you feel better about yourself. I hope hurting my children helps you and your child feel better, truly I do, at least you get something out of it, right? You should be so proud of yourself. What a great mother. Read less

Hit GB White Rock up while in Blaine,WA for work. Great gym with a lot of positive people…read moredeveloping their game. I felt right at home! Definitely worth the border crossing times to get a roll in with some of my GB brethren in BC, Canada!

One of the best jiu jitsu team. This place is family oriented and is very welcoming. Fantastic…read morelocation and a great facility to train in.

I got a groupon to try the drop in class…read more Not bad, very small and cozy gym area. I was abit confused when I walk in because the reception area and the gym area are neck to neck. It is extremely sweaty and hot in the gym if you don't mind. I went for Monday class, there is not really any structure on the fundamental teaching (although the class description says it is adult fundamental Muay Thai class). The fitness class is good, it is a circuit and plus the heat, you will sweat like a bucket, excellent warm up for the Muay Thai class. I have done Muay Thai before so I know the fundamentals but it might be confusing for someone who has never done it before. The students and the instructors are super nice and friendly. Overall it is very bang for the buck you paid for the groupon. I would go again just because I like the challenges.

If you're looking for a great mixed martial arts workout without sass or attitude, check out this…read morelocally owned studio. I take the Muay Thai kickboxing classes but Budo also offers Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, Kyokushin Karate, X-fit conditioning classes for fighters and a variety of kids classes. The studio owners and instructors are all trained in and are practitioners of their respective disciplines, so they pay attention to and help you correct your technique. The skill set in the kickboxing classes range from newbies to trained fighters, so it's not intimidating if you want to try it out for the first time nor is it too boring if you're a trained fighter. I've definitely noticed an increase in my confidence and my fitness levels. But above all, the instructors and fellow students have made me feel more badass, which speaks loads about how much fun you have training here.

Faulks Jiu-Jitsu has phases 1 through 3. Where a phase is based on a combination of age, size,…read morematurity, ability, and ambition of the students. I have been training at Faulks Jiu-Jitsu since 2014. I joined to train with my son when he was ready to move to the "Phase 3" classes. He had been training for about 4 years prior under Sensei Darren and the previous owner (Sensei St. John) in the "kids" classes. I am a Sensei in the dojo and teach some Phase 3 classes. I also sometimes help with the earlier phase classes. That said, I am not an employee. I am a paying customer just like every other student. Faulks Jiu-Jitsu is an outstanding place to learn self defence. We are a mixed martial art style that is both practical and effective. We train our students to protect themselves and stay safe. Even though we teach self defence, which is violent in nature, our dojo is a place of kindness and community. If you take a look at the picture gallery on our website ( faulksjiujitsu.com/galle... ) you'll see a lot of violent techniques on display, but also a lot of smiles and camaraderie. Students at Faulks Jiu Jitsu practice not only solid self defence, but general fitness, and mutual respect. Finally, I feel the need to explicitly address comments made by the reviewer "Erika B". I cannot speak for this reviewer's experience, but I can speak for my own. My son (Sensei Ben) is transgender. You can find him on our team page: faulksjiujitsu.com/team (I'm Sensei Brent BTW). If Faulks Jiu Jitsu was not supportive of acceptance and diversity, neither my son nor I would be here.

Super disappointed at the lack of compassion and understanding of diversity in this place. I would…read morenot recommend this facility to people who are looking for a safe and all encompassing space for their child. In this day and age of inclusivity I expect MUCH better.

Muay Thai Academy is a new muay thai gym that just opened a couple of weeks ago. One of the owners…read moreis Adrian Shead, he is I believe from Thailand. He is currently the coach/trainer of "Petch" the current Glory & Rise World Champion. One of the top kickboxers in the world. Adrian has been coaching for over 20 years and has a world of experience. They have classes starting from 6:30am in the morning to 8pm at nite including kids classes. They have a boxing ring and lots of heavy bags. There are also lots of high quality Fairtex equipment (thai pads etc). The gym is very clean. The people here are very nice, no egos. There is street parking on the side streets. Can't wait for my next session.....

I just called to inquire about having my son join. Adrian answered the phone and was very helpful…read moreand friendly. We are going to check it out next week.