Renzo Gracie Jiu Jitsu Portland

Dropped in a 10am nogi class & and had an outstanding experience. Everyone was friendly and welcoming and the instruction was top notch. Facilities were beautiful. If I lived in Portland I would absolutely train here. Highly highly recommend this gym!

Very welcoming. I dropped in for a class when visiting Portland. Aaron and his students couldn't have been more accommodating. Tough rolls with good people, great facilities (a shower! big windows! clean mats!), and awesome instruction + pointers from Aaron. I hope to be back next time I visit my pals in the PNW.

My coach from Seattle recommended I join this gym when I told him I was moving to Portland and for obvious reasons! The coaching is clear and organized, and there are a variety of times available which offers great flexibility. Everyone is very friendly and offers great pieces of advice.

It’s been about 6 years since I practiced BJJ, but the combination of excellent instruction from Aaron and Frank is top notch. So glad I came across their location, and couldn’t recommend them more for new, or seasoned practitioners. What a great place to roll.

My, now, almost 17 yr old, and 13 yr old have been studying jiu jitsu at Renzo Gracie approaching 2.5 years. It is an exceptional place. It is serious in the best way possible- Coach Aaron and every instructor provide clear, modeled, instruction on the moves. He is a warm demander, constantly moving around the room, observing and providing feedback. As important, it is a joyful and accepting place. Ya’ just feel good here. Awesome women instructors are a part of Renzo, and there are many girls and young women participants in the youth classes. Amazing wrestlers. My older son moved on to the adult class. He has found the environment welcoming and supportive. I suspect that Renzo has contributed greatly to my sons’ confidence. Both are athletic, but neither were drawn to traditional team sports. Also, it’s just fun!

I'm a dude in his 50s. I started my jiu-jitsu journey at RGPDX eight months ago. No exaggeration: it has changed my life. On the four days a week I get to go to class, I wake up and think "it's a jiu-jitsu day!" The things that stand out for me at RGPDX are the community and the instruction. The community is terrific -- I go to the no-gi fundamentals classes, and lots of upper belts attend those as well. They share their knowledge and are uniformly patient with those of us with less experience. ("Everyone was a white belt once.") As to instruction, the curriculum is well-organized, revolves around core principles that apply regardless of position, and even in the fundamentals classes offers both basics and subtleties. Particular shout-out to Coach Ruben, who has a genuine gift for teaching. I just can't say enough good things about him, and this place.

I have had a consistently terrific experience training here. I mainly take the fundamental classes with Ruben, and he explains the moves in an incredibly accessible, yet thorough fashion. My teammates are friendly, and always happy to give pointers on how I can improve my game. I highly recommend Renzo Gracie to anyone who has an interest in trying BJJ. Warning, it's addictive!

Renzo Gracie Portland is honestly everything you could want from a Jiu-Jitsu academy. Wether you want to compete at the highest levels or just have a fun way to socialize and exercise. The facilities are top notch as well. They offer so many classes at all times of day that it makes it easy to fit training into your schedule. I’ve been going to the fundamentals class for almost 5 months and I can’t say enough good things about my experience. If I could give it a hundred stars, I would. Coach Ruben who teaches the fundamentals class is in my opinion the epitome of who you want to learn jiu-jitsu from. His ability to demonstrate and explain the fundamental movements and core principles of the sport are unparalleled. Also, the man’s love of the art is absolutely infectious. He makes you want to show up and not miss a class because he’s so passionate about what he does that it makes you want to be your best and it poetry in motion to see the man teach and it’s an honor and a privilege to get to learn from him in the environment that he fosters. If you are looking for a place to train Jiu-jitsu this is the best place around. I would drive a hundred miles to train here.

Dropped in a 10am nogi class & and had an outstanding experience. Everyone was friendly and welcoming and the instruction was top notch. Facilities were beautiful. If I lived in Portland I would absolutely train here. Highly highly recommend this gym!

Very welcoming. I dropped in for a class when visiting Portland. Aaron and his students couldn't have been more accommodating. Tough rolls with good people, great facilities (a shower! big windows! clean mats!), and awesome instruction + pointers from Aaron. I hope to be back next time I visit my pals in the PNW.

My coach from Seattle recommended I join this gym when I told him I was moving to Portland and for obvious reasons! The coaching is clear and organized, and there are a variety of times available which offers great flexibility. Everyone is very friendly and offers great pieces of advice.

It’s been about 6 years since I practiced BJJ, but the combination of excellent instruction from Aaron and Frank is top notch. So glad I came across their location, and couldn’t recommend them more for new, or seasoned practitioners. What a great place to roll.

My, now, almost 17 yr old, and 13 yr old have been studying jiu jitsu at Renzo Gracie approaching 2.5 years. It is an exceptional place. It is serious in the best way possible- Coach Aaron and every instructor provide clear, modeled, instruction on the moves. He is a warm demander, constantly moving around the room, observing and providing feedback. As important, it is a joyful and accepting place. Ya’ just feel good here. Awesome women instructors are a part of Renzo, and there are many girls and young women participants in the youth classes. Amazing wrestlers. My older son moved on to the adult class. He has found the environment welcoming and supportive. I suspect that Renzo has contributed greatly to my sons’ confidence. Both are athletic, but neither were drawn to traditional team sports. Also, it’s just fun!

I'm a dude in his 50s. I started my jiu-jitsu journey at RGPDX eight months ago. No exaggeration: it has changed my life. On the four days a week I get to go to class, I wake up and think "it's a jiu-jitsu day!" The things that stand out for me at RGPDX are the community and the instruction. The community is terrific -- I go to the no-gi fundamentals classes, and lots of upper belts attend those as well. They share their knowledge and are uniformly patient with those of us with less experience. ("Everyone was a white belt once.") As to instruction, the curriculum is well-organized, revolves around core principles that apply regardless of position, and even in the fundamentals classes offers both basics and subtleties. Particular shout-out to Coach Ruben, who has a genuine gift for teaching. I just can't say enough good things about him, and this place.

I have had a consistently terrific experience training here. I mainly take the fundamental classes with Ruben, and he explains the moves in an incredibly accessible, yet thorough fashion. My teammates are friendly, and always happy to give pointers on how I can improve my game. I highly recommend Renzo Gracie to anyone who has an interest in trying BJJ. Warning, it's addictive!

Renzo Gracie Portland is honestly everything you could want from a Jiu-Jitsu academy. Wether you want to compete at the highest levels or just have a fun way to socialize and exercise. The facilities are top notch as well. They offer so many classes at all times of day that it makes it easy to fit training into your schedule. I’ve been going to the fundamentals class for almost 5 months and I can’t say enough good things about my experience. If I could give it a hundred stars, I would. Coach Ruben who teaches the fundamentals class is in my opinion the epitome of who you want to learn jiu-jitsu from. His ability to demonstrate and explain the fundamental movements and core principles of the sport are unparalleled. Also, the man’s love of the art is absolutely infectious. He makes you want to show up and not miss a class because he’s so passionate about what he does that it makes you want to be your best and it poetry in motion to see the man teach and it’s an honor and a privilege to get to learn from him in the environment that he fosters. If you are looking for a place to train Jiu-jitsu this is the best place around. I would drive a hundred miles to train here.

The quick review: This school has world class teachers, a welcoming environment for all levels of experience, and provides some of the best, most relevant instruction in the US. Full review: I started training in CA in 2010, and joined RGPDX about 2-3 months ago after visiting each of the top schools in Portland and taking private lessons from their instructors. Both the classes and privates were the most thorough and impressive I've ever experienced. I've taken classes with Aaron, Eddie, and Hannah mostly, and have been blown away from the start. I can't say enough about their skills as practitioners AND teachers; they are truly invested in their students' growth, are able to pinpoint the holes in their students' games that need improvement, and have an unbelievably vast knowledge of relevant, high-percentage, high-level techniques. They offer a ton of classes that can fit any schedule; early morning through night classes, GI & NOGI. Kids classes, adult coed classes, and women only classes are all available. There are showers, locker rooms, 3 bathrooms, huge upstairs mat, large downstairs mats, a weight room, and they keep it the cleanest facility I've ever seen. The teachers protect the students by fostering a safe practice environment and promote a laidback space while simultaneously taking the level of skill of their students seriously. Most of the teachers compete and win regularly, monthly, staying at the edge of what works at the highest levels of the art. If you want to be the next world champion, go here. If you're thinking about joining to get in shape and have no interest in competing, this is your spot. I came from another school as an 'upper belt' and was immediately humbled yet accepted as if i had been there since day 1. I improved more in these last few months than I have in the last few years. I guarantee you will not be disappointed and if you are, come find me in class and punch me in the stomach.

At age 52, I am two months into my jiu-jitsu journey. Especially since I was starting relatively late in life, I was intimidated to walk into any jiu-jitsu school. But at Renzo Gracie I have been thrilled to find not only amazing coaching but a welcoming community of training partners. I roll with much more experienced bjj players every week, and they are welcoming, accommodating, and happy to share their wisdom. And for praise I'll single out Ruben, who teaches most of the no-gi fundamentals classes: the guy is just a profoundly gifted coach. Lots of people can demonstrate techniques, but he has a terrific understanding of the basic principles that each of those techniques are based on -- you get to understand not just how to do things, but why, and how they tie into the broader goals of jiu-jitsu. I love jiu-jitsu now, and I'm sure that this place and these people are a big reason why.

If you are new to the sport like myself, or an experienced competitor, Renzo Gracie has something for everyone. The moment you walk through the doors, you become part of a team who genuinely care about your progress and improvement. The high caliber of coaching from Aaron, Eddie, Hannah, and all other coaches combined with their teaching structure allow you to see a variety of styles and techniques. I have nothing but amazing things to say about this gym, and will personally recommend it to anyone looking to start or continue their jiu jitsu journey!

If you want some of the best jiu jitsu on the planet, this is the place. I'm so lost as to why there are no recent reviews, but rest assured, this is the place where champions can be made, friendships can be forged, and where life can be lived. I've travelled the world training, teaching, and learning, and this is the best by far in the Jiu Jitsu world. If you're thinking about joining, join. If you're a beginner, you're in excellent hands. If you're experienced, you're going to find everything you're looking for. Feel free to look around at other gyms, but they won't measure up to what Aaron, Eddie, and Hannah have created.

Really high class instruction and overall level here. No gi and gi classes were packed with technique but still easy enough to digest. I dropped in for two days as I was passing through on my roadtrip up north. The sport of jiu jitsu is safe and sound here in Portland!

Best Jiu Jitsu gym in the Pacific Northwest! The gym is filled with talented individuals and the coaches are happy to be of service and lend a helping hand and answer any questions you may have. Training here has been one of the biggest blessings I've had in the last couple years.

I feel like I should have done this a long time ago, but never did. I have been at RGA Portland for 4 years, training for 12 in total. This academy has some of the best instruction I've ever experienced. I feel like I may have learned more in my 4 years at RGA then I did in the other 8 years I trained. Great facility with showers and locker rooms , multiple mat areas, fitness equipment etc. This academy is great for just about anyone , from beginning students to advanced competitors looking to improve.

I didnt know what to expect coming here. First impressions were that the gym is big and there were a lot of students in gi's rolling. Upstairs main mat for bjj and downstairs for muay thai. Nice setup. I came a little late to the muay thai class, but was greeted at the door by an instructor from the BJJ class. I was a little confused because I thought for a second that I was there for the BJJ class, but then remembered that I came for the muay thai class. Confused, but eventually after looking around, I realized there were stairs leading down to another room where the muay thai class was held. I was about 15 minutes late and the instructor, Robert, and student introduced themselves to me as I interrupted their class. Thinking I wouldnt be able to participate or that Id be penalized with pushups or the sort, robert told me to get my gear on and to get ready to drill. I brought out my gloves but didnt have handwraps, so robert showed me where I could use some clean ones and I got geared up. Thank RGA for providing the spare gear. Robert was a tough instructor and really helped me work on my striking. I appreciated how small the class was (usually not no more than 4 students and one instructor). I got a lot of help this way vs in a bigger class to one instructor ratio. Then I went the next day to muay thai class with Eddie. This time I brought my wraps and geared up, but I came a little late. I already feel the guilt setting in. Eddie drills us hard in punch combos and kicks. Then clinching sparring. Eddie dumped me after be warned me twice to quit pushing my weight into him as it made me lose my posture and balance. That shit surprised me and made me realize holy shit, these instructors really want to show their students the consequences of their students mistakes. Better I learn it in a safe environment versus in competition or worst, out in the street. Then I attended my first BJJ class with Eddie. Same standards were held and I learned a lot. BJJ was never really my favorite but I see myself changing that here at RGA. On top of every class I attended, everyone is cool, students and instructors. Every class I attended, I did not see a single straggler. Everyone worked hard. The only cons I could think of is that it could use a little dust cleaning aside from the mats, maybe some touch ups here and there. Regardless, as long as the mats are clean I dont mind the little dust off the mats. That said, I do mind when others track dust and grime back on the mat. Luckily the people are clean and dont usually do this. I am amazed at the culture at this gym that these little messes are excusable. Its addictive. Absolutely recommend Renzo Gracie Academy in Portland, Oregon.

When my husband and I can't find it in February for a brief visit little did I know checking out the Renzo Gracie Academy was going to impact our lives in the way that it did. I think up through their door so the large open space and bloodwork on the walls clean mats in open air made me feel completely at home I could literally picture of my husband and my daughter rolling on those mats and practicing jujitsu. We decided that was going to be the place where we were going to train as a family. By April we had already relocated to Vancouver. What's the vibe is amazing the instructors are down to earth. The pricing is on par with other schools if not better. this Academy has made us feel at Home!

Challenging classes, great sparring session, and excellent instructor. Make sure you talk to Aaron and let him know if you are visiting from another academy. If I had more time in Portland I would have done 2 days of training 4 classes, but it's the best school for high level jiu-jitsu for both GI and NoGi.

If you have a child and would like to help them build confidence or learn to defend themselves from bullying this is not the place. Eddie talks down to new kids, first timers that might be lacking confidence or are coming from a tough situation in life. Possibly being bullied. I saw him get after a first timer for asking a question during a demonstration, I understand it's proper etiquette to wait to ask but he didn't know. If that's a rule maybe take 5 minutes before the class to go over the basics with first timers instead of sitting on your butt at the front desk. Eddie Jamrog sucks at working with kids. If it wasn't for Hannah Sharp being excellent and even stopping Eddie from being rude a few times I would have given less stars. I'll be taking my 3 kids to a SBG where they have been welcoming and positive. Eddie looks at the kids like he can't stand them and thinks they're stupid.

If you are new to the sport (like me) this place is the best. The instructors are patient and knowledgeable and everyone there is welcoming. I feel lucky to have found such a great place to learn bjj.

As an experienced BJJ athlete (training since Oct '08) I have seen countless gyms and instructor, and after moving to Portland, I can honestly say that Renzo Gracie PDX is the finest I have ever experienced. Prof. Aaron Milam's ability to convey every technique in a simple and understandable manner is matched only by his ability to write a veritable symphony of ground fighting perfection while training with even the highest level BJJ competitors. Further, Prof. Milam's impressive lineage and experience has lead him to create a bevy of young instructors and competitors who, under his tutelage, have developed their own impressive skill sets. (ex: Looking to up your game?... check out Coach Carsten's Tuesday competition class, Coach Hannah's Women's Only Class, or even Kru Eddie's Muay Thai Do yourself a favor and join... You'll improve your game and become part of an awesome community at the same time.

My name is Dave -- it's been about one year since I posted a review of RGA PDX so I thought I would post a follow up. I've managed to train about 3 days per week most of the time and my technique and stamina have consistently improved. Even though I have lost an additional 5 pounds, I am much stronger than I was a year ago. Not only do I thank Professor Aaron Milam for coaching me though this past year, I especially want to thank my training partners at RGA PDX. We train hard, keep each other honest, respect each other, and have fun doing so. It doesn't get any better than that. As I said before, if you are interested in learning Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, RGA PDX is the place to be. Great people, excellent instructors, and an awesome facility. And -- if you are over 40 and interested in training BJJ, give Renzo Gracie Portland a try. You won't regret it!

I was visiting Portland on business and dropped in for a class. Very welcoming vibe and great instruction. I would highly recommend this academy.

Dropped in as an out of town visitor. It was super welcoming, instructors and students alike. It was cool to meet Aaron, whom I had known by reputation. Great instruction with lots of help on the fine details. Will definitely be coming back when in town.

This review is specifically regarding their kids program: We have been attending RGA for around 8 months and we absolutely LOVE it!!! Coach Justin and owner Aaron have worked very hard to build a warm and welcoming environment. We felt very welcome from day one and there is no hidden costs/price BS that we found with many of the others local gyms in town. The kids program is divided into two age groups (5-7 and 8- up). The younger class is the perfect mix of fun games, good fundamental Jiu Jitsu instruction, and wrestling. The older kids get more instruction and wrestling time. Through Coach Justin's boundless patience and enthusiasm it is obvious that he truly enjoys teaching kids!!!! The programs are supported by a very dedicated parent group (also very welcoming) which has produced some really great friends! As for the bottom line....come check it out you won't be disappointed.

I am working on 2 years training under Aaron at Renzo Gracie Academy. I found RGA while looking for schools to train at before I moved out here to PDX. Aaron was the first person to take the time and answer my questions online and make me feel comfortable enough to start jiu jitsu at the only other school I had trained at, at that point. Coming from a completely different jiu jitsu school culture. I wasn't sure what to expect. Aaron has an amazing insight into what it takes to be a well-rounded grappler. We do not just learn jiu jitsu. We learn wrestling, (ugly)judo, and so on. I had never wrestled from the feet before I came to this school. I am no longer terrified of taking a fall or conversely forcing take downs of my own. This school attracts quality people. People that become not only great training partners, but great friends and even family. The facility is amazing. A huge open mat welcomes, beginners as well as advanced athletes. My wife and 3 out of my 4 kids also train here. This place becomes home very quickly.

I come to this gym for the Muay Thai classes only. There are 2 instructors who are very knowledgeable. They adapt their classes to the students present and care about the feedback. They have pushed me (always in a safe environment) to get to the next level. I mats are open outside of the scheduled classes. There are free weights available too.

Full disclosure: As of this January (2014) I've been studying Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with Aaron Milam steadily for five years. That said, here are some fun facts about Aaron: 1. Aaron Milam's reputation as a competitor in New York City (and at Renzo Gracie NYC specifically) is unparalleled at his weight. I am not over-stating my opinion when I say that he has the finest technique that I have ever personally observed. 2. Aaron's academic pedigree makes him a uniquely gifted teacher as well. I have met very few people who are so capable of formalizing and teaching a sport/art as amorphous as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. 3. Aaron has excellent Judo and Wrestling. 4. He's a black belt under the John Danaher (2008). 5. He's a remarkably decent person, not just a excellent athlete. But, what about Renzo Gracie Portland (RGAPDX)? We're a team. We're all in this thing together and really happy to be a part of the grappling community in Portland, Oregon. It's one of the most friendly atmosphere's that you could ask for in a gym. (I bet you money that if I needed my house painted this summer, I could ask these guys to help and they'd show up with BBQ supplies.) It's challenging, but most importantly it's fun. Also, we have a brand new facility with a great Strength & Conditioning program and tons of awesome equipment and mats. So there's that too. I've doubled down year after year on Team Renzo Gracie and Aaron Milam; I've never lost this bet.

I have practiced BJJ for a little over a year now, and I've been training under Coach Aaron Milam since August 2015. I've had the luxury of training at several top gyms with world champion coaches during my travels, and I genuinely feel like I've won the lottery at RGAPDX. Aaron is a world-class blackbelt with a thoroughbred pedigree: blackbelt from John Danaher (Renzo Gracie) and Rey Diogo (Carlson Gracie). I can say without equivocation the quality of instruction is as good as it gets. Aaron's pedagogical approach is effective across the full spectrum of training experience and natural ability. The adage "If you want to improve your technique, learn from a smaller man" rings true. He's a master technician, and is meticulous and quite particular with even the finest of details. He takes the time to coach each student one-on-one during drills. Maybe most impressive is his humility; he embodies the true spirit of Brazilian jiu-jitsu. I'm so lucky and proud to call RGAPDX my home. P.S. The Open Mat is great and cross-training is encouraged!

I think it's pretty simple: If you live in the Portland area and you don't at least check out RGA PDX for one of Aaron Milam's classes, you're doing yourself a huge disservice. Aaron's comprehension of technique and ability to teach, both concepts and actual moves, is virtually second to none in Portland. He's opened up my game (4.5 years into my Jiu Jitsu life) and undoubtedly made me a better grappler in the short time I've spent with him. RGA PDX isn't my home-base, but it's my home-away-from-home and I feel incredibly luck to have the opportunity to train here. Not only does the place boast incredible instruction, but also a wide array of great training partners at all skill levels. And with the addition of Portland Judo instruction to the overall mix, it's a place where you can learn to be a very complete grappler.

I had the opportunity to take Aaron's classes at the BJJ Globetrotters USA Camp in Maine. His instruction was excellent! The techniques were ones that I had not seen before, but are very effective. If you live in Portland and do BJJ you are lucky to have Aaron in your city!

Had the pleasure to be instructed by Aaron. A lot of his concepts were newer to me (very intricate about grips and tying people up with your body instead of the Gi), but the way they were presented and drilled really helped to understand them. Within my next few rolls I found myself easily applying them and wanting to add them to my game (especially back attack sequences that are a bit more non-traditional than usual chokes). If I'm ever back in PDX, I wouldn't hesitate to take the opportunity to train at this academy.

Aaron is great. Renzo gracie lineage and the "curriculum" is not just simple guard passes and arm locks. Jiu jitsu is always changing and evolving and Aaron is definitely interested in keeping his students at the edge of that innovation. Thanks Aaron :)

I had the opportunity to train with Professor Aaron during my week stay in Portland. He has an awesome two story setup with lots of natural light. The facility is beautiful. Aaron is extremely welcoming and treated me like a paying member of his academy. He is a great instructor, receptive to questions, and facilitates a positive learning environment. If I lived in the area, I would be sure to train here. Thanks for providing the great training! I hope to return someday soon.

I've been training at Renzo Gracie Academy Portland for just shy of a month, but I have a broad background against which to compare the experience; I've been training elsewhere across the U.S. on and off again for 13 years. When I moved to Portland, I investigated the local options carefully before choosing this academy. Aaron's grappling and instructional skills are both excellent. While one of those things are true of many people, both of those things are true of few people. His BJJ pedigree is similarly outstanding: Danaher. If you're new to BJJ, you should Google John Danaher. In addition to excellent instruction, Aaron's managed to preserve the Renzo culture here in Portland, which is to say an environment promoting an informal and yet dedicated love of BJJ. Classes are split roughly 50/50 gi/no-gi. Techniques are kept relatively simple and therefore effective. That said, Aaron does seem to be keeping up with and keeping his students up with the cutting edge of grappling. I like that he's spending all of that time learning new moves and selecting the ones that work, so that I don't have to. BJJ is inherently a rapidly evolving art, and I don't have the time to personally track its evolution. A good instructor and good classmates are crucial for that, and Renzo Portland provides both. The aforementioned "Renzo culture" shows in the student body, which is diverse in personalities, skill levels, and physiques (big, small, muscley, wirey, male, female), but very friendly and welcoming across the board. While the school itself is new, a number of upper belts have been attracted to it, creating an environment in which advanced skill sets are unusually diverse in style. Often academies have a certain core skill set, e.g., aggressive guard passing and arm attacks, or yoga and crazy rubber guards, or MMA-friendly basics. No such rut as yet exists at Renzo Portland, and thanks to Sunday city-wide open mats, with luck no such rut will develop. Sunday open mats are amazing and are a great chance to come check out the school. Many of the people on the mats are (yay!) not from Renzo Portland, but roughly a third or half are, so it's a chance to get a feel for the culture of the school. Feel free to come by for a normal class, too. Aaron doesn't do the hard contract push, so you're at your leisure in checking things out. If you're interested in trying out BJJ, you couldn't start at a better place than Renzo Portland.

I can't offer a better explanation of the sport as a whole than those who have written about it before me but I can offer my experience. It's weird to think how times flies but I couldn't imagine what I'd be doing on a daily basis or what I'd be doing to stay in shape had I not been asked to try out Jiu Jitsu (Thanks as always Tim). I had no mat experience in my life, like a lot of new 101 students. However that's an excellent part about how Coach Aaron structures his course material and pace of class, it works for anyone who joins, no matter where their experience level is at. It has been unlike any other physical activity I've done over the years. Unlike other forms of mindless physical fitness where you churn out big numbers just to move more. For me it turns into problem solving, a game of human chess without any direct awareness that you're engaging in the act of physical fitness. You're so concentrated on position and control that 45 minutes flew by in the blink of an eye. That's why I feel it's been so success and I've stuck with it. The community is solid, supportive and I couldn't even start to say enough good things about all the amazing people I've met from every stage of life. All the way from kids getting started (which I wish I had started earlier) to men and women that absolute inspirations who are training at 50+. Whether it be to learn a bit of self defense, get healthy and physically fit or learn a new skill; come train, come have fun!

This review is for instructor Aaron Milam who I trained with for two and a half years. Aaron is an excellent teacher who I have seen inspire and motivate all different types of people on the mats. He is committed to high quality instruction and training.  He teaches with a high level of expertise at each and every turn - beginners will learn how to survive and master the fundamentals necessary to progress, and more advanced students will be encouraged to develop their own unique styles. If you can train often with him, you will excel. Competitions are encouraged, but never required or pushed on anybody. He welcomes all students to seriously compete or just to have fun. Highly recommended.

If you're looking to learn Jiu Jitsu look no further! I trained Jiu Jitsu before finding Renzo Gracie and I was on the fence about it. I felt like I was never moving forward. After the first night of instruction from Aaron I knew where I needed to be. His ability to instruct and explain the concepts behind Jiu Jitsu are mind blowing. Aaron Milam is second to none. Another great advantage that Renzo Gracie has over other neighboring schools is the schedule. You won't find another academy that offers such a versatile schedule, and each class is taught by Aaron so you're receiving high level instruction every time you're on the mat. My teammates have quickly become my friends and we have doughnuts on Sunday! There is no need to look any further. Come join us!!!

Disclaimer: This review is based on my limited experience at the academy (I was visiting on business from SoCal and only had one night available) and my conversation with head instructor/owner Aaron. First of all, the place is really nice and located in a converted dance studio. VERY spacious! I arrived late, having hoped to practice there, but missed classes. The students were cleaning the mats with disinfectant, and this is something done after every class, per Aaron. I'm not a germ-phobe, but the grappling arts do place practitioners at a special risk of getting skin infections such as MRSA and herpes gladiator. It is really rare, in my experience at numerous BJJ schools, to see such professional risk management. I spoke with Aaron and found him to be very approachable, educated, and someone I really looked forward to spending an evening as a guest-trainee. As it turns out, I could not get out of my business training in time to make it through Portland's notorious traffic (Google maps gave me a 40 minute drive for the 10 mile distance) so I wanted to personally extend a "Thanks" to Aaron for the pleasant meeting and conversation of last night (21 June) and an apology for not being able to make it tonight for class. I look forward to another attempt to visit & train during my next trip up here.

I was in town for three days on vacation and wanted to train. I dropped in and felt very welcome. Aaron the head coach was very nice and helpful. The people and the vibe were great! I wish I had more time in Portland!! I highly recommend this gym!

Last February my then 5 year old daughter (now 6) said she wanted to learn a martial art but didn't want to hit anyone. I immediately told her about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and described what I knew about it as an MMA fan and from being aware of it by having studied another martial art myself for years. Though my BJJ knowledge was/is no doubt very limited, I knew that the Gracie name is the gold standard. And after reading reviews of it and other studios around Portland, I decided to stop in with my very excited daughter to observe a class. We were greeted by Justin (the children's class instructor who I had read about on the studio's website), and was immediately impressed by his humble manners, welcoming demeanor, and kind offer for my daughter to jump into the class then and there for a free trial if she'd like. Well, she did, and the rest is history! She has been a regular in many of the FOUR (!!!) kids classes offered every week for her age range and she (and my wife and I) could not be more impressed or pleased with Justin, the assistant instructors he often brings in, as well as with the overall community of other kids and their parents. The studio's owner and head instructor (Aaron Milam) is a highly regarded second degree black belt and he (Justin, Carsten, & the others overseeing everything) run a tight ship that somehow still manages to maintain a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. Their billing is non-contractual and non-commital (quit anytime w/o penalty!), and they offer a women's-only class, as well as numerous classes for newbies and longtime devotees. As you probably can tell by now, this parent is very pleased with the academy and am thrilled that it is thriving. Cheers!