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Apex Jiujitsu
5 ★★★★★ 7 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Duluth, Minnesota
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
- 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 apexjiujitsu.net — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 218-269-2588
Hours
| Monday | 6:30–9:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 7:30–9:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 7:30–9:30 pm |
| Thursday | 6:30–9:30 pm |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 10 am–12 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“Whether you want to compete in Jiu Jitsu, or simply learn a technical and active skillset at any age in life, Apex has it.”
“I had the opportunity to drop in for an open mat session while in the area.”
Other martial arts here
From the reviews
One of the best places to train martial arts in all of Duluth. The quality of the technical jiu-jitsu training makes this gym one of the best I have ever been a part of. The gym is clean, the people are great, and the learning environment can't be beat.
Apex is a great, supportive, clean, and safe place to train Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Whether you want to compete in Jiu Jitsu, or simply learn a technical and active skillset at any age in life, Apex has it. But don't just take my word for it. Try a free class and see if it's right for you.
I had the opportunity to drop in for an open mat session while in the area. Everything about this gym was first class. Thanks for the opportunity to train.
Great place to train and learn! The head instructor is very knowledgeable and patient! Which is very useful in BJJ!
New to BJJ? Start at Apex Jiujitsu
Apex 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 Apex 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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