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B1 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Self Defense Naperville
5 ★★★★★ 215 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Aurora, 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 (ages 3–12) — 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
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule b1bjjfitness.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (630) 605-2656
Hours
| Monday | 6–11:30 AM, 4:30–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 9:30 AM–12 PM, 4–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 6 AM–12 PM, 4:30–9 PM |
| Thursday | 9:30 AM–12 PM, 4–9 PM |
| Friday | 9:30 AM–12 PM, 4:30–8 PM |
| Saturday | 9:30 AM–1 PM |
| Sunday | 10:30 AM–12:30 PM |
The classes they run
“What truly impressed us was seeing Professor Bruce himself actively involved in teaching the children, reflecting his expertise as a first-degree black belt.”
“They often also bring in other high-profile professionals for seminars, and everyone helps each other and supports one another in tournaments for those who compete.”
Other martial arts here
What members say
“The instructor is knowledgeable and attentive, and the gym itself is always clean and well maintained.”
“It’s a large, clean, easily-accessible, and welcoming space led by Professor Bruce, who has been a black belt for over 10 years and is a masterful instructor.”
“It’s a large, clean, easily-accessible, and welcoming space led by Professor Bruce, who has been a black belt for over 10 years and is a masterful instructor.”
“Professor Bruce has never taught the same class twice, but he’ll stay within the same topic while offering a variety of techniques for his students.”
“They often also bring in other high-profile professionals for seminars, and everyone helps each other and supports one another in tournaments for those who compete.”
“It’s a large, clean, easily-accessible, and welcoming space led by Professor Bruce, who has been a black belt for over 10 years and is a masterful instructor.”
From the reviews
B1 is fantastic! My son is a 9 year old wrestler and wanted to explore other martial arts in the off-season. We tried a few gyms that were closer to our home, but nothing really "clicked" for him... the balance of "fun" to "discipline" just wasn't quite right and he wasn't feeling challenged enough.
If you are new or experienced with Jiu-Jitsu, B1 is the best school in the area for kids and adults! I decided to continue my Jiu-Jitsu journey here and my experience has been awesome. Professor Bruce teaches world class Jiu-Jitsu that is practical, effective, and efficient.
I’ve been training alongside Bruce for years, and his academy is honestly the real deal. The mats are always clean, the space is set up perfectly, and it's clear that a lot of thought went into making it a great place to train. What makes it stand out, though, is him.
The coaches demonstrate exceptional patience with our 3-year-old. Initially unsure of his ability to adapt we were pleasantly surprised to witness his growing enthusiasm for classes under Professor bruce and his team's guidance.
New to BJJ? Start at B1 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Self Defense Naperville
B1 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Self Defense Naperville 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 B1 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Self Defense Naperville
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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