Institute of Combative Arts (Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Quincy)

This is the best school in the area to learn jiu jitsu for self defense. David is a great instructor with an extensive knowledge and experience in martial arts. Highly recommended!

Sensei David is a great guide and provides a positive learning atmosphere, he is very skilled and good at relaying the different core principles down to the unique small tips for each move, he as even created a space where the students are great teachers as well and everyone is focused on bettering each others technique rather than letting anger or ego cause unhealthy competition

I highly recommend David and Combative Arts in Quincy because they provide high level instruction on various disciplines of marital arts. David’s background in marital arts is impressive where he served in the U.S. Army for eight years and was a combative instructor for our soldiers. He is also a certified Gracie Jiu-jitsu (GJJ) instructor where he trained under the tutelage of Rener and Ryron Gracie. I am a student of GJJ and David teaches all of his students with a priority placed on safety and then quality instruction. I learn so much each and every class. The other students are also helpful and supportive of each other. If you want to level up your jiu-jitsu or combative game I strongly recommend joining the community at David’s dojo because the instruction and camaraderie are next level.

I’m glad I signed up here. I was looking for a new skill to learn, have not practiced martial arts in a long time, and I used to wrestle in high school. It’s a kind and friendly establishment that welcomes you with a smile and teaches you how to defend yourself in a street fight. This is not an “MMA” gym. You don’t have to worry about going too fast or with too much resistance. David teaches you step by step, at a slow steady pace so you can fully understand the technique and can always ask questions. Everyone there is willing to help you and you can practice any technique before the class lesson begins. Gracie Jiu-Jitsu also has online videos so you can practice at home with the same information from class.

I've been practicing Jiujitsu for 8 years now, on and off due to travelling and relocating for work. Through this time I've trained consistently in a total of 5 jiujitsu gyms (in the US and abroad) and tried out countless others. Through all of that I can say with extreme emphasis that not all gyms and instructors are created equal. In 2021 I started training at The Institute of Combative Arts (Gracie Jiujitsu) in Quincy. I was skeptical at first...it looks like an abandoned building and has no signs except a tiny sticker on the door. I even called ahead after booking my trial class online/through email to make sure it was the correct address. When I showed up for class, I knew it was the gym for me. I had tried a few other gyms in the area and did not like the energy of the gyms nor attitudes/styles of the instructors. When I walked into IOCA, I felt welcome and comfortable. They create a community, a family here, and that is how a jiujitsu gym should be. Trust in paramount in a good training partner. I joined the combatives program, which is unique to gracie BJJ. If focuses on a series of core Jiujitsu moves and makes it very easy to track your progress. There is NO sparring in this program. This is also something I've noticed is unique to Gracie. This is to focus on learning the core techniques before rolling with an opponent and helps to minimize newbie injuries and create a more inclusive and less competitive environment. After you reach stripe 2 you are invited to Reflex Development Classes that help you train for your Blue belt test. They also start to include gloves and mouth guards in select sparring rounds. This is because IOCA focuses on self defense jiujitsu for its white belt combatives class. When you take your test your blue belt test, you receive a white belt with blue stripes. This opens up Master cycle classes where you can learn more advanced jiujitsu techniques, and be given your blue belt. A complete gi with belt are included in your tuition. Your tuition also locks, IOCA will never raise your tuition fee even if the price rises. As a female combative member, I also have access to women's empowered classes. (A self defense course just for women.) There are both male and female changing rooms, a rest room, heat and AC. There is free street parking all around the gym so there are no complications there. The gym also offers other martial arts classes including Eskrima. They also have kids classes, so it is something your whole family can get into. It is a great gym for both advanced jiujitsu practitioners and those curious to try it out. Classes run about 1 hour to 1hr 15 min.