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Akagi Jiu-Jitsu

4.9 ★★★★★ 74 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Bloomington, Minnesota

BJJ gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens No-gi Competition team

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 akagibjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 612-812-6257

Hours

Monday 10 am–12 pm, 5–10 pm
Tuesday 6–7:30 am, 6–9 pm
Wednesday 6 am–12 pm, 6–7:30 pm
Thursday 6–7:30 am, 5–10 pm
Friday 5:30–6:30 am, 5–7 pm
Saturday 10 am–2 pm
Sunday 8 am–1 pm

Hours shift for holidays, seminars, and open-gym times — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

BJJ classes on the schedule at Akagi Jiu-Jitsu, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

📘 Fundamentals 3 mentions

“Dropped in for the fundamentals and advanced class on a monday night which were ran extremely well by topher.”

All gyms that run fundamentals →

🧒 Kids BJJ 10 mentions

“My son has not only leveled up faster than we ever imagined, but he’s also having the time of his life doing it.”

All gyms that run kids bjj →

🩳 No-Gi

“I dropped in for a 6 am no gi class while I was in the area.”

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🥋 Gi

“I dropped in for a 6 am no gi class while I was in the area.”

All gyms that run gi →

🏆 Competition Team 4 mentions

“This school can more than accommodate the curious first timer, the hobbyist, all the way to hardcore competitor.”

All gyms that run competition team →

🔓 Open Mat 6 mentions

“I visited Akagi last year during their Sunday open mat and it was a lot of fun.”

All gyms that run open mat →

🌱 Beginners 7 mentions

“I have no experience with adult training here , but can promise your kids will have a positive, empowering experience.”

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Other martial arts here

BJJ gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at Akagi Jiu-Jitsu — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the gym's own info — they show what members have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want MMA, muay thai, or wrestling alongside your BJJ, confirm the current schedule with the gym.

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 74 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 3 mentions

“Now at 12 years old, he’s competing locally and internationally — and it’s all thanks to the amazing coaching and mentorship he’s received from Topher and Karyn.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 13 mentions

“I think it's the most welcoming gym in the state, encourages collaboration and openness and has a non-threatening culture that tolerates all learners but does not tolerate jerks.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 19 mentions

“I think it's the most welcoming gym in the state, encourages collaboration and openness and has a non-threatening culture that tolerates all learners but does not tolerate jerks.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 6 mentions

“Dropped in for the fundamentals and advanced class on a monday night which were ran extremely well by topher.”

🧒 strong kids program 2 mentions

“Our whole family feels welcome and connected, and watching our son thrive in such an empowering environment has been incredible.”

active competition team 4 mentions

“This school can more than accommodate the curious first timer, the hobbyist, all the way to hardcore competitor.”

From the reviews

This gym best gym. I think it's the most welcoming gym in the state, encourages collaboration and openness and has a non-threatening culture that tolerates all learners but does not tolerate jerks.

★★★★★ — Jesse, Feb 2018

I started training Martial Arts and Jiu Jitsu in 2010 and it immediately became a big part of my life. In 2020 I was in search of a new gym to start training again (was training consistently till about 2019) I heard about Akagi and even knew one of the coaches who taught there.

★★★★★ — Kyle, Jan 2022

Akagi Jiu Jitsu is an absolute game-changer! My son has not only leveled up faster than we ever imagined, but he’s also having the time of his life doing it. The coaching here is next-level — seriously. Every class is packed with skill, discipline, and just the right amount of fun to keep kids locked in and loving it.

★★★★★ — Wendy, Apr 2025

Akagi Jiu Jitsu has been such an incredible place for our family. My son, Mason DuBois, has been training here for about four years, starting when he was very young.

★★★★★ — Mina, Apr 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 74 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Akagi Jiu-Jitsu

Akagi Jiu-Jitsu comes up as a beginner-friendly gym, going by their listing and members’ reviews. 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.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first BJJ class at Akagi Jiu-Jitsu

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.

BJJ is a contact sport. Ease in, tap early and often, listen to your coaches, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find Akagi Jiu-Jitsu

9061 Lyndale Ave S, Bloomington, MN55420

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this gym? Claim your listing — it's free.