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APEX House of Grappling
5 ★★★★★ 98 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Countryside, Illinois
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 apexgrappling.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (773) 707-5191
Hours
| Monday | 5:30–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 11 AM–1 PM, 4:30–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 5:30–9 PM |
| Thursday | 11 AM–1 PM, 4:30–9 PM |
| Friday | 4–6:30 PM |
| Saturday | 10:30 AM–12 PM |
| Sunday | 9:30 AM–12:30 PM |
The classes they run
“I brought my son in a few years ago and experience has been great.”
“I officially transition from my other gym to Apex to train more in depth in no-gi, striking, takedowns and wrestling in addition to implementing more hand fighting.”
“I decided to visit the open mat to increase my training in wrestling, jiu-jitsu plus judo to prepare for grappling tournaments in the summer.”
“I attended my first open mat at Apex: House Of Grappling and the owner and Coach Nick welcomed me.”
“The vibe that this gym produces attracts hard working individuals and creates champions not only on the mat, but in the real world as well.”
“Everyone attending this gym is friendly and willing to lift each other up when needed, especially with beginners that are new to the sport.”
Other martial arts here
“Nick including the other coaches there at Apex have years upon years of experience in wrestling, boxing, mixed martial arts, Judo and Jiu Jitsu.”
“Nick including the other coaches there at Apex have years upon years of experience in wrestling, boxing, mixed martial arts, Judo and Jiu Jitsu.”
“I decided to visit the open mat to increase my training in wrestling, jiu-jitsu plus judo to prepare for grappling tournaments in the summer.”
“I decided to visit the open mat to increase my training in wrestling, jiu-jitsu plus judo to prepare for grappling tournaments in the summer.”
What members say
“Coach Nick has done an amazing job helping shape our son's current skills from his previous BJJ academy.”
“And Nick runs a great room, where the practices are organized and a great work out, while also maintaining a friendly & welcoming environment.”
“And Nick runs a great room, where the practices are organized and a great work out, while also maintaining a friendly & welcoming environment.”
“Coach Nick not only teaches one proper technique on how to execute moves, but also encourages people to challenge one another on the mat.”
“Gym is super clean, super safe, and most importantly, super fun.”
“Totally recommend it for everyone from younger kids , including the ladies, to older adults.”
From the reviews
My journey started back in May 2024. I attended my first open mat at Apex: House Of Grappling and the owner and Coach Nick welcomed me. Coach Nick is very professional and discussed with me the classes that are available during the week and what his gym offered for martial arts alike.
We have been taking our boys to grappling class for quite some time now. Nick is a wonderful coach and very patient with all the kids. He makes it fun and easy for the kids to understand. It is a great place for adults and kids. It's a great workout and awesome way to learn self-defense skills also.
Coach is very detailed and helpful when showing new moves. The environment is very intense but at the same time its a community of people trying to get better and trying to help each other out. I tried the 1 week free trial, it was exactly what I was looking for, it might be what you are looking for as well!
I've only trained at a few places but APEX HOG (House of Grappling) was easily the best and my favorite. Nick is a great technical instructor but keeps things light and enjoyable at the gym. I would easily without question recommend this place to anyone whos interested in grappling at any level!
New to BJJ? Start at APEX House of Grappling
APEX House of Grappling 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.
Your first BJJ class at APEX House of Grappling
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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