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Ann Arbor BJJ
4.6 ★★★★★ 29 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Ann Arbor, Michigan
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 (ages 7–13) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- 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
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule annarborbjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (734) 215-5870
Hours
| Monday | 6 AM–8:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 6 AM–8:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 7 AM–8:30 PM |
| Thursday | 6 AM–8:30 PM |
| Friday | 6 AM–8:30 PM |
| Saturday | 10–11 AM |
| Sunday | 1–2 PM |
The classes they run
“I wanted to share that my children (13 and 15 years old) have practiced different martial arts before and have had good experiences.”
“I always feel welcome and safe, which as a woman is really important for me in a bjj gym.”
“And honestly, nothing speaks louder than gold medals 🥇I enjoy my bjj experience here and im excited to keep winning 💪”
“If you’re looking for a place where your kids can release their energy and also learn self-defense, I truly believe this is the right place.”
“I was nervous to join a brand new gym in a new city, but everyone is super welcoming and encouraging.”
What members say
“Coach Royce runs a great class with an awesome training environment, and all of the training partners were friendly and tough rounds.”
“The community is welcoming and highly inclusive; promoting a positive, constructive, and safe learning environment.”
“The community is welcoming and highly inclusive; promoting a positive, constructive, and safe learning environment.”
“Rather than teaching specific techniques step by step, it focused on problem solving under restrictive conditions.”
“I’ve also competed with their guidance and found the coaching extremely effective—my most recent competition ended with a 6-0 record, securing gold.”
“Additionally, a particular level of emphasis is placed on cleanliness and maintenance of a hygienic training space.”
From the reviews
This place is awesome! Coach Royce is very knowledgeable and is able to accommodate different experience levels and training backgrounds. Our kids have been training here since they opened and have already learned so much.
I wanted to share that my children (13 and 15 years old) have practiced different martial arts before and have had good experiences. But Ann Arbor BJJ has truly given us something special. We've only been at this academy for a few months, and my kids have already learned so much.
My daughter (11 yr old) has been training under coach Royce for 3 years. She trains both Gi and no Gi. He's a great coach with passion for the sport and the students. The gym is clean and comfortable.
Ann Arbor BJJ is for sure the best gym for UofM students, it instantly became my go-to gym. Comprehensive instruction, well-maintained and modern facility, and great training environment to be found here. I'd be remiss to not thank Coach Royce and co.
New to BJJ? Start at Ann Arbor BJJ
Ann Arbor BJJ 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 Ann Arbor BJJ
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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🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site