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Academy 440 Jiu-Jitsu & Fitness
5 ★★★★★ 49 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Willoughby, Ohio
Plan your first class
- Free trial or intro class most gyms welcome new members with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
- Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
- Kids & youth classes kids and youth BJJ classes — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- No-gi no-gi grappling classes — training in a rashguard and shorts, with faster scrambles and a natural bridge to MMA
- Open mat open-mat rolling sessions for members to practice live — always optional and at your own pace
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule academy440.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (440) 742-4397
Hours
| Monday | 6–10:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 11 AM–2:30 PM, 6–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 6–10:30 PM |
| Thursday | 7–10:30 PM |
| Friday | 9:30–11 AM, 6–11 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM–12 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“Brad also takes the time to work with kids, both in class and at tournaments—he supported my 12- and 8-year-old this summer at the NAGA Tournament in Cleveland.”
“Good mix of gi & no-gi and lots of opportunity to roll following the formal class.”
“Brad also takes the time to work with kids, both in class and at tournaments—he supported my 12- and 8-year-old this summer at the NAGA Tournament in Cleveland.”
“If you’re looking to learn Juijitsu for self defense or competition this is the place.”
“Owner and coach Brad is exceptional—he always teaches the finest details and techniques, making training valuable for all levels.”
What members say
“Great coaches, great teammates, and overall a fantastic environment to learn how to defend yourself and get better at jujutsu!”
“Owner and coach Brad is exceptional—he always teaches the finest details and techniques, making training valuable for all levels.”
“Academy 440 is a family-friendly gym with top-notch instruction, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to train Jiu-Jitsu.”
“Owner and coach Brad is exceptional—he always teaches the finest details and techniques, making training valuable for all levels.”
“Brad Bukovics is a gem who teaches a technically sound style of grappling and is one of the very few local black belts who puts it on the line regularly in competition”
From the reviews
If you’re looking to learn Juijitsu for self defense or competition this is the place. Welcoming environment, classes for new and experienced practitioners. I recommend Academy 440 to anybody seeking to better themselves physically and mentally. Let your journey begin or continue at 440!
Awesome coaches and teammates here! Brad is also an excellent kids coach. Really recommend to everyone!! Everyone is very inclusive of all skill levels, including beginners
Best place to train grappling and self defense in the Cleveland area. Perfect class sizes and plenty of attention given to each student.
The best BJJ school in the area by far for kids and adults. The instructors Brad, Matt, Jeff, and Jimmy are all very welcoming and extremely knowledgeable. I brought my son to Academy 440 after trying the other BJJ school in Willoughby and the difference was night and day.
New to BJJ? Start at Academy 440 Jiu-Jitsu & Fitness
Academy 440 Jiu-Jitsu & Fitness comes up as a beginner-friendly gym — noted on their own site. If you've never rolled or set foot on a mat, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or flexible to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and coaches scale the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard rolling — reputable gyms build fundamentals (positions, escapes, and basic submissions) for weeks, live rolling eases in gradually, and tapping early keeps every roll safe. Third, all levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or fundamentals class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out, and leave your ego at the door. Most gyms are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.
Your first BJJ class at Academy 440 Jiu-Jitsu & Fitness
Nervous about walking into a BJJ gym for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good coaches expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling basic positions and escapes with a partner — not hard sparring. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: athletic wear you can move in (or a gi if you have one); you'll train barefoot on the mats. What to bring: water and a mouthguard if you have one — many gyms lend a loaner gi for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gi (or a rashguard and shorts for no-gi) and a mouthguard. Live rolling eases in gradually, once your fundamentals are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the coach. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.
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