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Boone County Jiu-Jitsu

5 ★★★★★ 24 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Belvidere, Illinois

BJJ gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens No-gi

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 8–14) — 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
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule boonecountyjiujitsu.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (815) 420-1082

Hours

Monday 5–8:30 PM
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday 5–8:30 PM
Thursday Closed
Friday 5–8:30 PM
Saturday 8:30–11 AM
Sunday Closed

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 Boone County Jiu-Jitsu, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 7 mentions

“My son has been attending the kids class here since early last year, and the experience has been nothing short of wonderful.”

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🛡️ Self-Defense 2 mentions

“Whether you join for physical health, mental health, self-defense, or any other reason you’ll find a community.”

All gyms that run self-defense →

🌱 Beginners 2 mentions

“If you're brand new, getting back into it or if you've been training for years, you should give them a try.”

All gyms that run beginners →

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 24 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 2 mentions

“Some of the most welcoming, friendly, and KNOWLEDGEABLE coaches you'll ever meet.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 3 mentions

“The entire vibe of the gym is very welcoming and understanding of everyone with where they are in the journey whether new or seasoned.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 11 mentions

“Very family oriented and "family is most important, Jiu-Jitsu will always be here" -Jason Highly recommend, great teaching, great learning, and best of all great fun!”

great workout & conditioning 2 mentions

“Since joining Boone County Jiu-Jitsu just a few short months ago, I have lost 15 lbs, my cardio/stamina is through the roof, and I feel healthier than I have in YEARS.”

🧼 clean, well-kept mats 4 mentions

“Very friendly and encouraging environment with a newly remodeled and clean facility, great place overall.”

💗 welcoming to women 2 mentions

“The gym creates a safe, respectful, and empowering environment (especially for women ) where you’re challenged without ever feeling out of place or intimidated.”

From the reviews

Boone County Jiu-Jitsu is 100% the best place to train at. The coaches are great and know exactly how to compare it to real-life situations that you could encounter. Whether you join for physical health, mental health, self-defense, or any other reason you’ll find a community.

★★★★★ — Blayne, Jan 2026

I train at BCJJ in the mornings. Phenomenal class with great coaches. The entire vibe of the gym is very welcoming and understanding of everyone with where they are in the journey whether new or seasoned. Bathroom and the establishment itself is always clean.

★★★★★ — Chantel, Oct 2024

We absolutely love this jiu jitsu gym. My son has been attending the kids class here since early last year, and the experience has been nothing short of wonderful. The staff are incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and kind, and they do such a great job creating a supportive and encouraging environment for kids.

★★★★★ — Shelli, Jan 2026

Training at Boone County Jiu-Jitsu alongside my 16-year-old daughter has been one of the most amazing things we’ve done together. The gym creates a safe, respectful, and empowering environment (especially for women ) where you’re challenged without ever feeling out of place or intimidated.

★★★★★ — Jess, Jan 2026

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 24 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Boone County Jiu-Jitsu

Boone County 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.

See their beginner class info

Your first BJJ class at Boone County 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.

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 Boone County Jiu-Jitsu

986 Belvidere Rd, Belvidere, IL61008

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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.