Women's Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Manotick.
Women train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at Gracie Barra Manotick in a welcoming, all-levels environment, with beginners genuinely welcome.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a grappling art built around leverage, timing, and control, not size or raw strength. That is a big part of why it has become one of the most popular martial arts for women: technique is the great equaliser, and a smaller, calmer person can control a larger one.
Is BJJ a good fit for women who have never trained?
Yes. Most women who step onto our mats have never trained before, and that is exactly who the room is built for. You are walked through the fundamentals, you move at your own pace, and you are matched with partners who suit your level. There is no ego and no being thrown in the deep end.
Prefer to ease in through the general beginner path first? Our adult BJJ program covers the same fundamentals, and you can always contact us about programs to talk through the best starting point.
Self-defence, fitness, confidence.
Here is what women get out of training.
- Self-defence: practical, leverage-based skills for protecting yourself and staying calm under pressure.
- Fitness: a full-body workout that builds strength, mobility, and stamina without a treadmill in sight.
- Community: a supportive group that remembers what their own first day felt like.
- Confidence: the quiet self-assurance that comes from learning to handle hard situations.
Intense, but supportive.Danick B. · Google review
What is the training environment like?
The whole academy is built to be welcoming, disciplined, and free of tough-guy energy. That is what members describe again and again in their reviews, and it is what makes it comfortable to walk in for the first time. Coaches keep classes structured, partners are chosen with care, and everyone remembers their own first day. We also run a women's only Muay Thai class on Sunday mornings.
If a women's-only class time would make starting easier for you, the best step is to get in touch so we can share the current options. Either way, the honest way to find your fit is to book a free trial and feel the room for yourself.
The women's only slice.
Our women's only classes run back to back on Sunday mornings. Days and times can change, so check the full schedule for the current week.
Who leads the women's classes?
Our women's-only classes are led by Coach Dana, who teaches the Sunday women's Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai sessions. Both are built to be technical, welcoming and genuinely beginner-friendly, so you are never the only woman on the mat learning the fundamentals. You can meet the whole team on our instructors page.
The coaches create an environment that's both disciplined and welcoming, and the entire staff is supportive, knowledgeable, and passionate about what they do.
Simon · Google reviewNot sure it is for you? The honest answer is to book a free trial and feel the room for yourself, or read what to expect at your first class before you come in.
Women's BJJ, answered.
Can women start Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with no experience?+
Yes. Most women who start have never trained before. You learn the fundamentals step by step, move at your own pace, and train with partners who match your level. Beginners are genuinely welcome.
Is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu good for self-defence?+
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is built around leverage and control rather than size or strength, which is why so many women value it for self-defence. You learn to stay calm, protect yourself, and work from difficult positions.
Do you run a women's only Muay Thai class?+
Yes. Women's Only Muay Thai runs Sundays from 11:15 AM to 12:15 PM, straight after Women's Only Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at 10:15 AM. Both are open to complete beginners, and because they run back to back you can do one or both.
Will I be the only woman on the mats?+
Women train in our Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes at Gracie Barra Manotick, and the room is a welcoming, supportive one. If you would like details on class options, please contact us and we will walk you through what is available.
What should I wear to my first class?+
Comfortable athletic clothes are perfect to start. You do not need a gi for a first class; a coach will guide you on gear once you are training regularly.
Step on the mats. On your terms.
Book a free trial, meet a coach, and see the room before you decide anything. No experience needed, and no pressure to spar.