About Us

Royce Gracie Agawam is a Royce Gracie Affiliated school located at 303 Walnut St, Agawam, MA 01001. Gracie Agawam is the home of Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in Western Massachusetts. It is a 2000 square foot facility that includes a 1000 square foot mat along with separate changing rooms and bathrooms for men and women. The primary and sole focus of Gracie Agawam is to spread the teachings and techniques of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu as taught and displayed by Royce Gracie. The head Coach, James Harpe, is a certified brown belt under Royce Gracie and has trained and worked with Royce for several years. The techniques taught here are based on leverage and body mechanics.

They are taught in an extremely detailed and repetitious manner whereby making the moves instinctive. The key at Gracie Agawam New England is to create muscle memory so that students can react as opposed to stop and think if they find themselves in a self-defense situation. The techniques of Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu have proven their effectiveness from the streets of Brazil in the early 1900’s to Royce’s display in the UFC and Pride.

Due to the fact that opponents range in physical size, strength and ability, it is important to learn a self-defense system that uses leverage and body mechanics as its key to success rather then strength and force. More often then not, your aggressor will be bigger, heavier and stronger then you. Attempting anything but techniques that allow you to submit, control or take down your aggressor will be difficult. The techniques of Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu are simple, effective and practical. Through commitment to becoming a better self-defense practitioner and by executing multiple correct repetitions, your skill level and confidence will soar at Gracie Agawam.

We look forward to seeing you on the mat.