Carlson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu

did a walk in class with professor nick. very nice and welcoming

My 5 year old son has been going to classes here for 2 months now and he is doing great! I am have seen a impressive change in his discipline and attitude.
He loves going! Coach Troy is great and very patient with all the children.

The real deal! A Great place to train. no attitudes, a real family atmosphere. Me and my kids all train here, cant say enough about how it has improved the quality of our lives.

Came here for the first time on Saturday from the referral of a friend and I was not disappointed. I’ve heard of BJJ but honestly had no idea what it entailed. My intention was just to watch and see if it was something I might be interested but after walking in the door I some how got persuaded into trying on a gi and I was on the ground rolling. Had I not participated, I don’t think I would have had the courage to do it after just watching. Although my body is hurting in places I didn’t even know I had muscles… I had a great time and look forward to learning more of the fundamentals of BJJ and I feel I picked the perfect place to do so.

Troy is an excellent instructor. He is great with kids. In the short time my kids have been training they have shown self confidence and respect for others. I highly recommend this school for kids, men and women.

I trained here while attending Chapman University between 04 – 08. If you’re looking for the authentic OC Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) gym this is it. Carlson Gracie Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Orange was here long before anyone knew what BJJ and MMA was and is the most authentic BJJ gym in the OC, possible even CA, responsible for producing many world and pan-​american champions. With that said, don’t be intimidated, there are plenty of students of all shapes and ranks to train with and it’s almost impossible that you’ll be the best one on the mat so there’s always something to strive for.
An important point to note: I’ve continued my training all over the world, from Europe to Asia with both civilian and military and this gym has one of the best cultures I’ve ever had the privilege of being involved in. Culture is greatly undervalued by new students looking for the right gym to begin their BJJ journey and there isn’t much better than this gym. Don’t be distracted by brand-​name gyms, mat-​time is more important than fancy technique and you’ll grow much faster if you spend that mat-​time with people you enjoy learning from. There isn’t a time I visit OC without stopping to train at this gym.
I’m so confident you’ll be happy with your membership to this gym that if you’re not, I’ll take down this review. Yup.

This is the greatest place to train in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. It has a warm, family atmosphere. There are the regular adult classes, classes for the little ones, classes for teenagers, and classes for women only. Be the strongest and most confident you can be with these classes.

«There isn’t enough time to boast on how incredible Carlson Gracie Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Orange has been. It has done so much for me and I am so grateful for Troy Acker and everything he has done to give me direction and a great work ethic. They treat you like family, they are my family. Regardless of your age and gender, I’d recommend anyone interested in learning or advancing their skill sets in Brazilian jiu jitsu to come to Carlson Gracie Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Orange]. You won’t be disappointed.

Great place!!! Troy is a great instructor! He always pushes you to be better. Diego and fumi too. Every one helps to make each other better. Great place for kids too! I always feel a great. Team atmosphere here. Troy even helped drain my friend ear! Oss! Oc carlson gracie!!!

This is a great gym! I train with Carlson Gracie Jr. Team in Chicago and was visiting CA for the IBJJF Pan Ams. I called here and spoke with the Black Belt instructor Troy Acker, my flight arrived at a time where if I hurried I could get to his class. He actually offered to extend the class a little longer so I didn’t have to rush! Upon arriving I was welcomed and made to feel as if it were my home gym. The atmosphere here is inviting, no pressure and respectful. Troy gave great instruction and although he didn’t want to teach me too much the day before competition he did add some technique to what I already knew that I still use today! He even stayed late with me after class and helped me drill some things I had been working on. His students were very nice and respectful and at all different skill levels. This would be a great gym to train at regardless of wether your a brand new White belt or a seasoned color belt! If your considering learning BJJ this is the place to do it! Rolling here was just what I needed to help get those pre competition jitters out and it definitely paid off, I took Gold at Pans the next day and I have to give Troy credit as I feel his hospitality and knowledge helped to play a part in that. Much respect! Osss.

I trained with Franco and Allen Goes for several years. What a great experience it was to train with these two wonderful athletes. The last time I saw Franco he was really thin but I didn’t think anything of it. I thought it was just because he was training so much. He didn’t look sick. I just found out Franco passed away and I am saddened. I spent many hours in the gym with Franco and I still have several pictures of us at Golds. He was a wonderful friend and the world is a lesser place without him in it.

I was a student here years ago under the late Franco de Camargo (RIP my friend). I’d give this place a 5-​star if Franco was still there. Now he has an old student of his, Troy, running the place. He does a good job. He was on his way to getting his black belt just before Franco passed (cancer), and eventually got it from Carlson Gracie Jr. Franco was a three stripe black belt under Carlson Gracie Sr., so this is a legit Carlson Gracie school.
There’s plenty of room for about 20 people to a class. They have a small changing room in the back or you can change in the bathroom. The parking sucks here — at least in front. There are quite a few spots in the back and you can also park on the street.
I don’t know if Troy still runs the kids classes like Franco did. But they used to have a really cool kids program there. They were taught a lot more than just BJJ. They’ve been in this location for over 15 years now too.

This is a no frills gym run by some hard core practitioners. Most are accomplished in tournament BJJ or MMA. Here you’ll get a type of Jiu-​Jitsu that is very effective (Carlson Gracie Style) made famous when MMA was first being popularized. The school has many instructors and senior students and you get to apply what you learn often in free sparing sessions. Classes are held often with morning and evening classes, in both Gi and No-​Gi. Child classes are available.
If you are serious about learning Jiu-​Jitsu, Check them out for a free introductory class.

I should really give this studio 5 stars, based upon the fact that this is where I was introduced to my husband, by the owner/​proprietor Franco de Camargo.
The Cadet was in 3^rd grade at the time, and enrolled in the Kid’s Class — the parents were a very agreeable and eclectic bunch: general contractors, heavily inked accountants, homemakers… a proverbial breath of fresh air. I was living in Orange County and feeling very stifled by the TKD Academy that we’d just left… I just wanted to get away from the oppressive soccer-​mom and stage-​dad types.
My 9-​year old wanted to grapple and roll around on the mats… which is exactly what he did, in a very positive, competitive, non-​judgemental environment. Franco taught some very age-​appropriate, focused techniques to the students who had the skill and coordination; he included younger siblings in attendance to participate in the warm-​up exercises.
For adults… I know that some of the students with higher belts have moved on to other schools (or gotten hitched and moved to the Bay Area) — but all of the guys AND gals that I saw rolling here were really, really sweaty. (No, Darin I. — they don’t have a web cam. But they do free introductory lessons; you’re guaranteed to get uh… «mounted».)
Parking is ridiculous and cramped by Orange County standards, but there’s more in the back and across the street. Walk a few extra calories off, as long as you’re bothering to take classes! Leave the tiny parking lot in front for the shiny, silver, souped up BMW 330xi!
As a single parent, I can say: it was good for my Cadet to have some physical rough-​housing, but with rules. As the temperamental wife of a Caveman, when I reach out to thump my knuckle-​dragger on the noggin, he’ll just laugh and pull me through and into his guard, or I’ll end up in a [gentle] arm lock.
This is why I typically reserve arguments and disagreements for casual wear… and behind closed doors. I have learned: it’s slightly less embarrassing to have your husband roll you into some kind of bizarre leg-​lock when you don’t have to scream, «Not in this! Not in this — it’s vintage Alexander McQueen!»
So… even though I, personally have never been an actual student at this school… it didn’t prevent me from acquiring a modicum of self-​control.