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Alliance Jiu-Jitsu
4.9 ★★★★★ 62 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Edina, Minnesota
Part of Alliance
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
- Women's classes dedicated women's BJJ classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
- Private lessons private, one-on-one coaching available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
- 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 alliancebjjmn.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 952-942-1190
Hours
| Monday | 9 am–9 pm |
| Tuesday | 9 am–9 pm |
| Wednesday | 9 am–9 pm |
| Thursday | 9 am–9 pm |
| Friday | 9 am–7 pm |
| Saturday | 9 am–1 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“I trained for 7 years before coming to Alliance and the fundamental classes continue to build my game up.”
“My son, daughter and nephew joined Alliance several months ago.”
“Damian is a top notch, passionate instructor who also happens to have a great resume as a competitor!”
“There are also open mat times, which, after a certain point as a beginner, are INVALUABLE to putting everything together and into practice.”
“There are also open mat times, which, after a certain point as a beginner, are INVALUABLE to putting everything together and into practice.”
Other martial arts here
What members say
“Damian is a top notch, passionate instructor who also happens to have a great resume as a competitor!”
“I was looking for a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu school in the Twin Cities-- when I came and tried the first class here, I knew immediately this was the place.”
“All the other instructors have just as much passion and the welcoming, family environment is great for any level of practitioner!”
“Not to mention the instructors are constantly looking to innovate new techniques and training tactics to stay on top of jiu jitsu trends, as this art never stops evolving.”
“Damian is a top notch, passionate instructor who also happens to have a great resume as a competitor!”
“I envy you if you get to start your BJJ journey with Damian + Alliance as the instruction is very good.”
From the reviews
This place is phenomenal. I was looking for a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu school in the Twin Cities-- when I came and tried the first class here, I knew immediately this was the place. I signed up for a year on the spot.
We have tried out several different martial arts gyms and couldnt really find one that fit. My son, daughter and nephew joined Alliance several months ago. I am a people watcher and observer.
I have been involved in the Martial Arts for over45 years. I have seen it all. If you are looking for the best JJ school in the state, this is it. The instructors are professional and know how to teach. Teaching is a different skill set than doing. The instructors at Alliance can do both, a rare combination.
Professors Damian and Tim truly care about your progression in BJJ and will remember you by first name almost immediately, which is remarkable considering the amount and diversity of training partners you will experience here. If you are looking to maximize your ability and progress FAST I would look no further.
New to BJJ? Start at Alliance Jiu-Jitsu
Alliance Jiu-Jitsu 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 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.
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