HomeIllinoisBuffalo Grove › Brazilian Black Belt Jiu Jitsu Academy

Brazilian Black Belt Jiu Jitsu Academy

5 ★★★★★ 37 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Buffalo Grove, Illinois

BJJ gym Free trial Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons No-gi Competition team

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 3–13) — 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
  • 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 brazilianblackbelt.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (630) 492-2152

Hours

Monday 7–9 AM, 4–7 PM
Tuesday 4–7 PM
Wednesday 7–9 AM, 4–7 PM
Thursday 4–7 PM
Friday Closed
Saturday 10 AM–1 PM
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 Brazilian Black Belt Jiu Jitsu Academy, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

📘 Fundamentals 3 mentions

“Professor Felipe teaches important fundamentals and disciplines in ways that are easy to understand for beginners and can relate to advanced concepts as well.”

All gyms that run fundamentals →

🧒 Kids BJJ 22 mentions

“Felipe has this magic way of making every kid feel seen while keeping it fun AND teaching real skills (those world championship credentials definitely show!”

All gyms that run kids bjj →

🏆 Competition Team 5 mentions

“After all, he trains with a world champion whose medals and trophies alone could fill an entire wall.”

All gyms that run competition team →

🛡️ Self-Defense 3 mentions

“If you’re intimidated by the idea of starting BJJ or self-defense, this is the place to be.”

All gyms that run self-defense →

🌱 Beginners 7 mentions

“Professor Felipe teaches important fundamentals and disciplines in ways that are easy to understand for beginners and can relate to advanced concepts as well.”

All gyms that run beginners →

Other martial arts here

BJJ gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at Brazilian Black Belt Jiu Jitsu Academy — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

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 37 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 6 mentions

“The instructor is great and makes sure all of the kids are participating while being both fun and instructive.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 13 mentions

“Professor Felipe teaches important fundamentals and disciplines in ways that are easy to understand for beginners and can relate to advanced concepts as well.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 21 mentions

“There’s also a family session on Saturdays where we take the class with them and we have found it to be a fun bonding experience for the family.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 15 mentions

“Professor Felipe teaches important fundamentals and disciplines in ways that are easy to understand for beginners and can relate to advanced concepts as well.”

active competition team 5 mentions

“After all, he trains with a world champion whose medals and trophies alone could fill an entire wall.”

🧼 clean, well-kept mats 4 mentions

“The facility itself is beautiful—clean, spacious, and well-equipped with everything the kids need to train comfortably and safely.”

From the reviews

I have been to other martial arts schools, and I have to say this is the best experience yet. Our five-year-old son is autistic, and the instructor has been so patient and supportive. He incorporates games and fun challenges to keep our son engaged while still teaching him important skills.

★★★★★ — Erin, Apr 2025

I can't speak highly enough about this incredible Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu studio! My three kids—aged 5, 9, and 11—have been training here, and it’s been nothing short of transformative for them. First, the program is exceptional.

★★★★★ — Kate, Aug 2025

Absolutely amazing people, The instructor is an absolutely incredible teacher and you can tell he really enjoys what he does. I got recommended to come by a friend of mine and feel out a training session, I really enjoyed it, and signed up that day.

★★★★★ — Edgar, Apr 2025

Both of my kids take classes here and they love it. The instructor is great and makes sure all of the kids are participating while being both fun and instructive. My kids look forward to coming to every session.

★★★★★ — Beth, Apr 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 37 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Brazilian Black Belt Jiu Jitsu Academy

Brazilian Black Belt Jiu Jitsu Academy 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.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first BJJ class at Brazilian Black Belt Jiu Jitsu Academy

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 Brazilian Black Belt Jiu Jitsu Academy

790 S Buffalo Grove Rd, Buffalo Grove, IL60089

Get directions Instagram · Facebook

More BJJ gyms near Buffalo Grove

Champion Jiu-Jitsu

1350 Abbott Ct #2, Buffalo Grove, IL

🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site

BJJ gym Free trial Kids & teens No-gi Competition team

2.6 miles away

Premier Martial Arts Downtown Arlington Heights

5 ★★★★★ 18 reviews

27 S Evergreen Ave, Arlington Heights, IL

🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site

Ages 3–19

BJJ gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens expert, high-level coachingno-ego, friendly academystrong kids program

4.1 miles away

Brazil 021 Arlington Heights - School of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Self-Defense

4.9 ★★★★★ 29 reviews

3350 Salt Creek Ln #117, Arlington Heights, IL

🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site

BJJ gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Competition team expert, high-level coachingwelcoming to beginnersno-ego, friendly academy

4.6 miles away

All BJJ gyms in Buffalo Grove, IL →

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.