Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu West Side Albuquerque New Mexico

I’ve been in and out of Jiu-Jitsu gyms for years—I'd start for a few months, then fall off again. I think I was always chasing that same energy I had during my wrestling and military days: training hard with a solid group of people, led by an instructor I respected. About a year ago, I enrolled my kids (9 and 11) at Gracie Barra West Side. At the time, I figured my own Jiu-Jitsu days were behind me—I’m a banged-up 45-year-old dealing with plantar fasciitis, arthritis, and all the joys of getting older. But watching the professionalism, patience, and fun the instructors created for my kids was eye-opening. Professor Luis especially caught my attention. His teaching style is thorough and fundamentals-focused, yet he keeps the environment fun, serious, and incredibly welcoming. It brought back that team feeling I’d been missing for years. When I later learned he’s a former New Mexico state wrestling champion and college wrestler who transitioned into Jiu-Jitsu, I was sold. I’ve now been training here for over a year, and the days I get to step on the mats are the highlights of my week. The physical benefits alone have been worth it—I'm more flexible, stronger, and even eating cleaner—but the real magic is the people. This gym is full of talent, experience, and genuinely good humans. I love showing up early just to catch up with everyone. It makes me feel like I truly belong to something again. There’s also a great group of us 40-and-over guys who bond over our aches, pains, and how sore we are—but we’re all motivated to keep learning and growing. As a former Special Operations Medic, triathlete, California HS state-placer wrestler, marathon runner, and weightlifter, I’m very familiar with that endorphin high from training and competing. But honestly, the feeling I get leaving Gracie Barra West Side after a session is simply the best. Jiu-Jitsu gives you this thirst for knowledge—understanding human movement, leverage, timing, and performance. Combine that with the endorphin dump of a hard roll, and you leave the gym feeling a mix of elation and serenity… even if your biceps and joints are screaming from rounds with the killers on the mat. If you’re on the fence about trying Jiu-Jitsu, just give it a shot. The rewards—physically, mentally, and emotionally—are endless. Whether you’re young or old, experienced or brand new, there’s a place for you at Gracie Barra West Side. See you on the mats!

One of the best decisions I have made in my life. As someone who loves fitness and is a health teacher set on pushing himself. I have a community behind me to support this goal and grow in a skill I never knew I needed so much. From great teammates in training to considered good friends in life. The coaching from the professors is top notch and worth giving a shot. Your only regret will be why didn't I start sooner? Four years going strong and God willing many more years to go. God bless you.

It can be very intimidating thinking about starting BJJ. Are the current members going to judge me? Am I going to embarrass myself? How will I be treated? Walking thru the doors on my first day at West Side, all those fears were put to rest; it was a great experience! The entire school is built on creating a welcoming environment, encouragement, great training, safety, and sense of community. Everyone regardless of skill level is welcomed and the culture is for everyone to help and encourage each other, especially the new members. Professor Luis is a great instructor, very skilled/knowledgeable, and creates a safe learning environment! So if you want to get into great shape, incredible cardio while having fun, learn a martial art, and develop friendships, you should consider the West Side Gracie Barra.

We love GBWS! My 7 year old has been enrolled for about 3 months and in that time his focus, resilience, and physical strength has improved so much. The coaches are kind, but firm. They seem to connect very well with the kids and the kids seem to want to work hard for them in return. I’m so glad we found this gym.

itself has potential, and the structure, curriculum, and mission are good. The facility is solid, and there are instructors who clearly care about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. My concerns are not about the gym as a whole, but about certain behaviors and people I encountered during my time there. 1. Issues With Student Behavior A lot of the problems I experienced mainly came from other students, especially in the youth program. There was frequent drama, exaggerated stories, and disruptions that created tension during training. This wasn’t a reflection of the gym’s philosophy, but more about certain individuals who made the environment less focused and respectful. 2. Instructor Reactions Influenced by Student Drama Some instructors seemed to rely on what students said without fully verifying the facts. This sometimes created misunderstandings or feelings of being unfairly judged. The academy itself isn’t unprofessional, but a few individuals contributed to unnecessary conflict. 3. Mat Sanitation Could Be More Consistent Although the gym does clean the mats, there were times when the disinfecting wasn’t consistent. This led to situations where people got sick or minor cuts became more problematic. A little more consistency in sanitation would make a big difference. 4. Favoritism From a Specific Instructor One issue that made training difficult was noticeable favoritism from one particular instructor. Certain students consistently received more attention or leniency, while others felt overlooked. This didn’t seem to reflect the academy’s overall values — but it did affect the training atmosphere. Overall, I don’t think the gym is a bad place. The structure and goals are strong, and with some improvements in student discipline, instructor neutrality, and sanitation, it could be a great environment. My experience was affected more by a few individuals rather than the entire academy. I hope this feedback helps the gym continue growing in a positive direction.