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Alliance Ames Brazilian JiuJitsu
5 ★★★★★ 45 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Ames, Iowa
Affiliated academy — reviews and the gym's own info point to a recognized BJJ lineage or affiliation (think Gracie Barra, 10th Planet, Renzo Gracie, Alliance, Atos or Checkmat). If lineage matters to you, ask which affiliation the academy belongs to and under whom the head instructor earned their black belt.
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
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule amesbrazilianjiu-jitsu.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 515-520-4308
Hours
| Monday | 11 am–1 pm, 5:30–8:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 11 am–1 pm, 5–8:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 11 am–1 pm, 5:30–8:30 pm |
| Thursday | 11 am–1 pm, 5–8:30 pm |
| Friday | 11 am–1 pm, 5:30–8:30 pm |
| Saturday | 11 am–1 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“Fundamentals classes are laid back and you can go at your own pace.”
“Environment is safe for kids and practice is catered for their individual skills and willingness to participate 😂”
“Whether your a beginner or have experience everyone is always welcomed with opened arms and given high quality instruction from day one.”
Other martial arts here
“They've got a stable of killers (including MMA and Grappling Champions) , and a great kids program to boot.”
What members say
“Vlad is an amazing coach, and all the teammates are chill dudes.”
“A busy work/family life makes it difficult to train consistently, but Vlad is always welcoming, understanding and happy to pick up where we left off.”
“A busy work/family life makes it difficult to train consistently, but Vlad is always welcoming, understanding and happy to pick up where we left off.”
“Fundamentals classes are laid back and you can go at your own pace.”
“Costs are on par with other gyms in the state, and a frickin' considering Vlad's a 3rd degree Alliance Black Belt.”
“The youth classes seemed to emphasize structure, fun, discipline, and encouraged the older students to help the younger/newer students which I found very valuable.”
From the reviews
I’ve been attending training at Ames BJJ for just shy of one year. Two of my youngest children have been attending for just a few months. The staff is patient, kind, understanding, but also knowledgeable, supportive and encouraging. The facility is clean and orderly and the atmosphere is friendly and inviting.
I have trained martial arts all around the world and no academy has came close to Sensei's pedagogy. Apart from his unrivaled knowledge of the sport, his practical prowess in it and his commitment to professionalism regardless of race, sex and gender - he goes above and beyond for all of his students.
I train all over but Alliance ames will always be home. Vlad is a super nice, patient man. Whether your a beginner or have experience everyone is always welcomed with opened arms and given high quality instruction from day one. Highly recommend trying a class.
Best Jiu Jitsu gym in Iowa. Professor Vlad received his Black Belt in 2008. I have never met another individual who is as passionate about Jitsu Jitsu as Vlad. Professor Vlad Eat, sleeps, and breath Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
New to BJJ? Start at Alliance Ames Brazilian JiuJitsu
Alliance Ames Brazilian JiuJitsu 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 Alliance Ames Brazilian JiuJitsu
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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