This place is great. Its always clean and I really like the values that are taught here. My little one loves his classes and I can tell he is retaining what they teach.

Both of my daughters take classes here. They love it. Houston is an excellent instructor and is great with kids!

I am so happy that I walked in here. What I have received from these classes is priceless! Confidence, knowledge and friendship. Dean Johnsons review below is so true. Please read it for the details.What I can add is my experience in their womens empowerment classes. I feel all women should do this. You dont need strength to do these techniques but you do need the knowledge that is taught. Which brings up teachers. Houston Cottrell is an amazing instructor. He cares, really cares. He has patience and he is always so positive and encouraging.Before I chose this school, I researched and visited other ju jitsu schools. I can definitively say that if I had not found this Gracie school I would have never taken up ju jitsu. This has changed my life! I strongly encourage you to come. They offer a ten day free trial. Take them up on it, I promise you will not regret the decision.

I began searching around the area’s martial arts schools and came across Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Madison CTC (Certified Training Center) and began doing some research. The CTC is a huge leap in approach - what’s different about this school (Gracie Academy) is they codified the instruction. It’s a clearly defined curriculum where the instructor demonstrates the move, all the details regarding grip, position, pressure, etc. You practice the technique, working to get everything correct and when everything ‘clicks’ you realize how effective it is. You KNOW where you are in the curriculum and can measure your progress. You don’t spar until you’ve reached a level where you will benefit from it. An added benefit is you can watch the lessons online through Gracie University and prep for class or review after class.All three of my kids (ages 6-11) attend class. They have been going coming up on a year. It’s amazing how much they pickup, especially my little one. Houston is a natural teacher, and it shows with his enthusiasm. If you watch how he interacts with the kids, he makes learning interesting and fun. I believe with his approach they are more likely to keep going, which is what I want. The big picture, if they keep with the program they will continue to improve, if they drop out - they won’t. Also, after watching the kids, I too have been taking lessons and love it.Houston is a ‘Certified Instructor’, and that’s an enormous difference. The facility is clean and has a huge floor space without obstructions like support beams.Overall, Houston is an excellent instructor and the facilities are top notch.15NOV2017 - UPDATEWhen I picked up my son from school he told me I got into two fights today. Not something you want to hear and he began telling me what happened. A kid took a cheap shot at him by coming up from behind him, jumping in front and kneeing him in the stomach twice. My son took him down, got his back, put his hooks and and rear naked choke. Knowing the kid was in pain let him go and walked away. Later the same day, the same kid took another cheap shot and punched my son. He parried of the next two punches, took him down and same result. He now understands the value of his training.

My family has a personal experience with Bullyproof, combatives and women empowered classes. My son has been enrolled in the Bullyproof program for over a year now and I am grateful for Houston and Micheles ability to teach practical and solid self defense techniques that jiu jitsu has to offer. My son has gained not only confidence with being able to stand up to a bully, but he has also learned about the importance of health, responsibility, respect, caring, and overall being a good citizen. I am enrolled in the Women Empowered program, which focuses on escaping all levels of an assault. This program is giving me not only practical tools to use in the event of an attack, but my self esteem is also improving. I am so thankful for Houston and Michele and would recommend Gracie Jiu Jitsu Madison to anyone no matter age, size, gender or physical ability!!