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BJJ Lifestyle Academy South County
4.8 ★★★★★ 36 Google reviews · BJJ gym in St. Louis, Missouri
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
- 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 bjjlifestyleacademy.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (314) 780-4222
Hours
| Monday | 6–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 11:30 AM–1 PM, 5–8:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 6–8 PM |
| Thursday | 5–8:30 PM |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 9:30–11 AM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“8 year old in Kids Brazilian Ju Jitsu: significant improvement over the BJJ business my child was previously a member of for almost a year.”
“Between the two gyms, class times are offered in early mornings, late mornings, evenings, and wknds, and have gi and no-gi options, so easy to work in variety.”
“Between the two gyms, class times are offered in early mornings, late mornings, evenings, and wknds, and have gi and no-gi options, so easy to work in variety.”
“From competitors to hobbyists this gym will have plenty of appropriate training partners to choose from along with world class instruction.”
“Dropped in from out of town for a Saturday open mat and would advise anyone else to do the same.”
“There is a great mix of all levels (beginner, intermediate, and advanced) of people who train here, and all are extremely supportive, respectful and passionate about the game.”
What members say
“Coach Mike takes great care to ensure you are learning the art and he teaches with passion.”
“There is a great mix of all levels (beginner, intermediate, and advanced) of people who train here, and all are extremely supportive, respectful and passionate about the game.”
“There is a great mix of all levels (beginner, intermediate, and advanced) of people who train here, and all are extremely supportive, respectful and passionate about the game.”
“Mike is an exemplary coach, his attention to details and small nuances with techniques makes all the difference!”
“Whether you are training for work, competition, or fitness I am certain you will enjoy the training and benefit greatly from BJJ Lifestyle Academy.”
“It has been an honor being his students and training with him has helped my mental health tremendously.”
From the reviews
I have been training at BJJ Lifestyle Academy in South County since 2019. I served 8 years in the USMC got out in August, 2018, my transition back to the civilian sector was very difficult, I was having issues with PTSD and missed being part of the brotherhood in arms.
Top notch BJJ instruction at a very fair price! Whether you’re looking to enroll your child or train yourself BJJ lifestyle academy is the gym you’re looking for. Coach Mike takes great care to ensure you are learning the art and he teaches with passion.
Phenomenal people, coaches and owner. There is a great mix of all levels (beginner, intermediate, and advanced) of people who train here, and all are extremely supportive, respectful and passionate about the game.
Amazing gym with great people. I started as a complete beginner with no background in grappling. The head coach genuinely cares about everyone in his gym and wants the best for each person. His high-level teaching across all skill levels allowed me to earn multiple gold medals.
New to BJJ? Start at BJJ Lifestyle Academy South County
BJJ Lifestyle Academy South County 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 BJJ Lifestyle Academy South County
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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