Daniel Gracie Delco

I’m a newbie, I just started training here and I’m already loving it. Brett, the owner, is an awesome guy super welcoming, really funny, and makes the environment enjoyable. You are learning, getting a great workout, making friends, and laughing your head off at Brett’s coaching cues. The classes are structured in a way that makes it easy to learn and pick things up quickly. I’ve already been learning a lot in a short time. Great atmosphere, great people, really amazing culture and community highly recommend!

My daughter and I both train at Brett’s place in Delco… it is unique… there are other places… we have tried others… here however there is a level of understanding, selflessness, and support from all involved which flows down from the owners philosophy about combat arts. “We need this…” Why else would you do this ? My daughter competes regularly at both BJJ and wrestles…Brett takes the time as well as his staff to prepare her and be there for her… find her things to expand her ability and understanding… discuss her thoughtfully… so important… Regardless of your desire to compete…just do something for yourself…have your child find something fun and rewarding for their self esteem and character you can find support for that here… Definitely not a cookie cutter BJJ joint that just churns… Lessons… This is hard… Hard is fun… Other things are easier… I choose challenge… such cool things for a kid to learn… If you have the opportunity stop in and get to know the great people that gravitate here.

Update: I was with this gym for about a year and some change. In May of 2023 they stopped teaching classes out of a firehouse and opened up their gym in prospect Park. I was asked to help coach the kids classes by the head coach. I wasn't sure about it because I am a white belt but I was convinced I would be an asset to the program and it would be easier for the little girls to feel comfortable with another woman who was also a mom. I did it for months and man I loved it, kids are truly amazing. Got to the point I was asked to cover classes if the head coach wasn't available that day or if someone was running late. The kids classes got so big and we were doing so well! Another person ended up joining who had kids and I ended up getting pregnant with my second and this person didn't respect me at all. She was only a blue belt herself and I tried to just deal with the situation myself because I wanted to get along with everyone and be a team. It got to the point where I thought brining it to Brett (the owner) would be appropriate because I didn't feel this situation was okay and after dealing with it by myself for months and not finding resolution, I thought this was the best plan. Well it was somehow perceived that I was the only person with the problem and that was it. I ended up leaving because I didn't like the way the kids class was run any more, a lot of the kids were getting frustrated and overwhelmed because of this individual and how they decided to coach (I also expressed this to Brett). It seems I wasn't the only person who left and it looks like the classes are much smaller now. Fast forward I am six weeks postpartum and I wanted to just come back for myself (not bring my son), the adult classes are fantastic and Brett is a great coach and teacher. I was told I am not welcomed back. No matter what gym you go to, issues will arise and not willing to resolve them and be okay with losing a member who dedicated a lot of their time into your gym is very upsetting. I trained about 5 days a week, cleaned the gym weekly and helped coach the kids class and had a great relationship with everyone. Now no one talks to me anymore, I think this could have been prevented. If you're thinking of coming here, do it! The adults classes have amazing teaching and coaching. I wish nothing but the best for them and hope their kids classes can be fixed and adjusted in the future! Been with this team for 2 months! Such a great group and an even better instructor. Such a welcoming group of people and excellent training partners. I love that this gym has traditional roots and doesn’t allow cliques and drama to fester. I know a lot of women hesitate to join gym’s because the lack of women in the classes, to be honest I sometimes forget because of how great of a training partner these guys are! My son will be also training, he has prior experience at another gym but I am so excited to get him involved at Daniel Gracie Delco. Love my team and can’t wait to see where this journey takes me and my son ❤️

The vibe of this gym is very welcoming and great for students of all ages, abilities, and levels of experience. The instructors are all super knowledgeable and help guide students to reach their full potential. People get into BJJ for a myriad of different personal reasons. Some gyms seem to have a common thread of pushing their own on agendas on students and don’t seem to care about everyone’s own reason for joining. Daniel Gracie Delco is not one of those gyms. Brett has created a culture of working hard, displaying mutual respect for everyone who comes in, and treating students as individuals who have their own reasons for being there and helps them to reach their goals. No agendas, no egos, just a lot of hard training individuals with dedication to improving their jiu jitsu skills and creating a better quality of life for themselves.

Me and my sister just started and we are loving it. The place is nice and isn’t like those others with trash everywhere. It’s amazing, they’re so welcoming and fun. You make new friends while learning. It’s absolutely wonderful and you should try it.