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Ascent Jiu Jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 34 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Coralville, Iowa
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 4–15) — 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
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule ascent-jiujitsu.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 319-220-0520
Hours
| Monday | 11 am–2 pm, 4–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 11 am–2 pm, 4–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 11 am–2 pm, 4–8 pm |
| Thursday | 11 am–2 pm, 4–8 pm |
| Friday | 11 am–2 pm, 4–6:30 pm |
| Saturday | 9–10 am |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“My son has been taking lessons at Ascent for two months and the changes have been very noticeable in not only his grappling but his mindset and day to day life.”
“New to Jiu-jitsu, but Mike is a very good teacher for beginners and advanced levels.”
What members say
“Excellent instructors, many, many years of experience, combined with all the talent they have and that they bring in.”
“I've always wanted to try a sport like jiu jitsu, and I was nervous coming in, but everyone was so welcoming and encouraging!”
“I've always wanted to try a sport like jiu jitsu, and I was nervous coming in, but everyone was so welcoming and encouraging!”
“Mike and Josh each brings to the table more than a decade of grappling experience, with prestigious lineage that traces back to the Gracies.”
“As for the academy, the mats are clean, the atmosphere is upbeat and inclusive.”
From the reviews
I have been training with Mike and Josh for 2.5 years and training directly under them for more than a year. When I heard they were moving to Coralville, I knew I had to follow them over, along with a group of experienced grapplers.
Ascent Jiu Jitsu has an incredible atmosphere that is fun, safe, and provides an awesome workout. All of the students are supportive of one another and genuinely want to help you learn and succeed. Ascent creates a truly positive environment where both my wife and I feel welcome.
I highly recommend! I visited from out of town and just dropped in. Ascent has a very open atmosphere, Mike was super welcoming. He is very thoughtful of individuals needs and his instruction is clear. I have almost 6 years of rolling experience and Ascent has some of the best vibes around.
Excellent instructors, many, many years of experience, combined with all the talent they have and that they bring in. As a former judoka, it's awesome to see such a high quality dojo open up right here in Coralville.
New to BJJ? Start at Ascent Jiu Jitsu
Ascent Jiu Jitsu 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 Ascent 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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