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Arsenal Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 9 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Benton, Illinois
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
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule arsenalbjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (618) 559-2816
Hours
| Monday | 6:30–8:30 PM |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 6:30–8:30 PM |
| Thursday | Closed |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“Jiu jitsu, self defense, striking, fitness, Confidence, no matter what your reasons are this is the place to be to improve your self both mentally and physically!”
“Sam brings a sense of family and makes this a great environment for the beginner or the most experienced.”
Other martial arts here
What members say
“Sam is one of best coaches you could ask for and has pressure tested everything he shows.”
“Sam brings a sense of family and makes this a great environment for the beginner or the most experienced.”
From the reviews
I am a local law enforcement officer. I have been at Arsenal for a while now. When I first started it was just a way to help with the job. Now it's a passion. Sam makes it realistic but also fun. Sam is knowledgeable about every aspect of self defense and goes above and beyond to help you learn how to protect yourself.
I've learned so much here. When I started, I was very shy and couldn't imagine being able to learn any of it. The instructor Sam is great, and everyone here is like my family. I recently started competing, I never thought I would get this far but being here makes it fun and I can't wait to see where I go from here!
If you are lucky enough to live close by, you're doing yourself a disservice by not becoming a member. Sam is one of best coaches you could ask for and has pressure tested everything he shows. Along with great instructions and a curriculum, he will build you up as a person and help you grow.
Jiu jitsu, self defense, striking, fitness, Confidence, no matter what your reasons are this is the place to be to improve your self both mentally and physically!!
New to BJJ? Start at Arsenal Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Arsenal Brazilian 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 Arsenal Brazilian 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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