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Carlson Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Headquarters

4.8 ★★★★★ 64 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Chicago, Illinois

Part of Carlson Gracie

BJJ gym Free trial Affiliated Kids & teens 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
  • Kids & youth classes kids and youth BJJ classes — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule carlsongraciechicago.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 312-409-0566

Hours

Monday 6:15 am–9:30 pm
Tuesday 10 am–9:30 pm
Wednesday 6 am–9:30 pm
Thursday 10 am–9:30 pm
Friday 6 am–9:30 pm
Saturday 11–11:30 am
Sunday 11 am–1 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 Carlson Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Headquarters, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 7 mentions

“Lots of classes for kids, women and folks all ages.”

All gyms that run kids bjj →

🏆 Competition Team 3 mentions

“AS a visitor was very much welcomed into the group for the Sunday comp class.”

All gyms that run competition team →

🛡️ Self-Defense 2 mentions

“Fitness, self-defense, competition, jiu jitsu for everyone!”

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 Carlson Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Headquarters — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🥊 Muay Thai 2 mentions

“had assembled a top notch team with high level instructors in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo and Muay Thai.”

Other gyms that also teach muay thai →

🤼 Judo 2 mentions

“had assembled a top notch team with high level instructors in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo and Muay Thai.”

Other gyms that also teach judo →

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 64 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 4 mentions

“Chris Coralles is a great coach who dedicated his life towards martial arts both as a fighter and a trainer.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 8 mentions

“The parents are welcoming and many of the kids have been going for years and I’m sure my kids will attend for years to come.”

active competition team 5 mentions

“Fitness, self-defense, competition, jiu jitsu for everyone!”

🎖️ legit lineage & affiliation 19 mentions

“All professors, master carlson gracie and pablo are very amazing, great school, i love being part of the carlson gracie team”

From the reviews

I've been studying Brazilian jiu-jitsu here since 2015 and I absolutely love it! Learning this sport and being a part of the Carlson Gracie team has been transformational. I'm continuously challenged, encouraged, pushed and pulled, as well as choked and submitted, always learning and growing stronger every day.

★★★★★ — Marian, Jun 2020

Best Place to have your family train. Lots of classes for kids, women and folks all ages. Self Defense, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Judo, Muay Thai. I highly recommend it!

★★★★★ — Chelis, Aug 2013

Chris Coralles is a great coach who dedicated his life towards martial arts both as a fighter and a trainer. Glad I had the privilege to have him teach me I learned a lot from him

★★★★★ — Nithin, Feb 2022

Best training in the Chicagoland area hands-down! Great family-friendly atmosphere. Fitness, self-defense, competition, jiu jitsu for everyone!! Carlson Gracie Jr and his staff are great instructors and a lot of fun. This is the place to be!

★★★★★ — Alan, Mar 2017

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 64 reviews →

Your first BJJ class at Carlson Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Headquarters

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 Carlson Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Headquarters

2778 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL60647

Get directions

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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.