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Bloomington American Jiu-jitsu

4.7 ★★★★★ 27 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Bloomington, Illinois

BJJ gym

Plan your first class

Hours

Monday 5–6 AM, 6–7 PM
Tuesday 5–6 AM, 6–7 PM
Wednesday 5–6 AM, 6–7 PM
Thursday 5–6 AM, 6–7 PM
Friday 6–8:30 PM
Saturday Closed
Sunday 1–3 PM

Hours shift for holidays, seminars, and open-gym times — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

BJJ classes on the schedule at Bloomington American Jiu-jitsu, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🛡️ Self-Defense

“They roll after every class which is great cardio on top of all the self defense learned.”

All gyms that run self-defense →

Other martial arts here

BJJ gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at Bloomington American Jiu-jitsu — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🏟️ MMA

“Great place to train BJJ and MMA recommend to anyone looking to find a place to train.”

Other gyms that also teach mma →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the gym's own info — they show what members have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want MMA, muay thai, or wrestling alongside your BJJ, confirm the current schedule with the gym.

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 27 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 5 mentions

“Great team and great coach, no idea what Kelsie is talking about but the gym is clean at all times.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 7 mentions

“Great coaching, and a real family feel whenever you step in to this gym, love this place.”

🧼 clean, well-kept mats 5 mentions

“Great team and great coach, no idea what Kelsie is talking about but the gym is clean at all times.”

From the reviews

1st time in the gym I felt nothing but open arms. Friendly competitive environment. Great instructors

★★★★★ — Edgar, Apr 2021

Michael Hadden at American Jiu Jitsu was the first to ever invite me to their gym. They have been incredibly friendly, supportive, and helpful on my Jiu Jitsu journey. They teach legitimate modern Jiu Jitsu that actually works. They're not negligent in any safety protocols.

★★★★★ — Greg, Dec 2024

Super friendly and educated coach. Mike is an awesome dude with an ever-evolving skillset who is more than happy to teach you everything he knows. Great vibes and cool people with a wide range of all levels. 10/10

★★★★★ — Luke, Oct 2024

Great team and great coach, no idea what Kelsie is talking about but the gym is clean at all times.

★★★★★ — Ethan, Jul 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 27 reviews →

Your first BJJ class at Bloomington American 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. 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.

BJJ is a contact sport. Ease in, tap early and often, listen to your coaches, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find Bloomington American Jiu-jitsu

802 Eldorado Rd, Bloomington, IL61704

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this gym? Claim your listing — it's free.