Every class starts standing with a takedown, moves to the mat, and ends with live rounds. Beginners can walk into any Fundamentals class, any week.
Your entry into control over a resisting opponent. A four-month rotating curriculum: escapes, top control, guard, passing. Start any week.
A monthly mat focus explored in depth, then live training. Where you find out how deep the rabbit hole goes.
Takedowns, pins, escapes and submissions taught safely, with control and partner safety first. Technique and games, three times a week.
Movement, attention and control through grappling games. Kids learn to use their bodies, listen, and look after a partner.
Train exclusively with other women, coached by Jill Hughes. Safe, effective submissions and the control of space that sets them up.
Just roll. Arguably the most fun time on the mats, and free for every student and any visiting grappler.
Five reasons people drive across the metro to train on University Ave.
Five reasons people drive across the metro to train on University Ave.
Carsten Carlsen. Black belt under a Renzo Gracie and John Danaher black belt. Third at the ADCC East Coast trials. Has cornered fighters in the UFC.
Takedown, technique, then rounds. You learn to grapple by grappling, from day one, at your own pace.
First class free. Open mat free. Women's class free for non-members. No contract when you do join.
Little Kids 5 to 7 and Kids 8 to 13, coached by a staff that competes and a head kids coach who started here.
“Hands down the best Jiu Jitsu gym in the Des Moines area. Incredibly welcoming teachers.”
Two black belts, three purple belts, one lineage: Renzo Gracie to Aaron Milam to Carsten Carlsen to you. Meet them all.
25+ years. ADCC trials medalist. Coached in the UFC.
IBJJF No-Gi Worlds, Pans and Euros medalist. Des Moines native.
Three-hour round trip, five nights a week, to train here.
Started here in 2021. Wrestled for Roosevelt High.
Started at Renzo Gracie Portland in 2019. Nurse, mom of two wrestlers.
Every membership is month to month. Pay for the month you train. Drop in from another gym for $20 a day. Full pricing.
Per month. All Fundamentals classes, Open Mats, Women's class and Drill classes.
Try it freePer month. All-Levels, Fundamentals, Drill classes, Women's class and Open Mats.
Try it freePer month. Kids 8 to 13 train three times a week, $100 initiation covers gi and belt. Little Kids 5 to 7 train twice.
Book a free kids classTell us about you and your goals. We'll text you the class to come to and what to bring, same day.
Renzo Gracie Academy Des Moines offers Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes for adults and kids at 4711 University Ave, Des Moines, Iowa.
