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Cat-Paw Grappling Club
5 ★★★★★ 12 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Ypsilanti, Michigan
Plan your first class
- 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
- 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 instagram.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 734-890-8691
Hours
| Monday | 7–8:30 am, 6–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 6–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 7–8:30 am, 6–8 pm |
| Thursday | 6–8 pm |
| Friday | 7–8:30 am |
| Saturday | 12–2 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“I’m here for fun, for learning, and to make sure I can hold my own in the revolution, not necessarily to be a killer competitor.”
“I stop by regularly for their open mat sections and occasionally for the classes, and it is always a great time!”
“Original review: As soon as I reached out to the owner, Alec, I got a lot of help; I’m so impressed by how supportive the club is for new people and beginners.”
What members say
“Original review: As soon as I reached out to the owner, Alec, I got a lot of help; I’m so impressed by how supportive the club is for new people and beginners.”
“Original review: As soon as I reached out to the owner, Alec, I got a lot of help; I’m so impressed by how supportive the club is for new people and beginners.”
“I’m here for fun, for learning, and to make sure I can hold my own in the revolution, not necessarily to be a killer competitor.”
From the reviews
I started training with Alec at Cat-Paw Grappling club about 6 months ago. I had been training jujitsu, first in Philadelphia then Livonia, since 2019, and was looking for a place to train closer to home (Ann Arbor), the lower the key, the better.
I am ultra-new to jiu jitsu, have been coming here for just a few months now, and have got nothing but nice things to say. I started coming to Cat Paw at the same time that I was trying out jiu jitsu at a different gym & can confidently say that between the two, I’d choose Cat Paw any day. Alec is excellent.
My names sam and I've had more time off than on during my ground game journey due to injurys,substance abuse,or just not believing in myself enough.i was welcomed with friendly and safe training partners and some others that can help fix my sloppy techniques while giving me tools I never had.
I started training at cat paw a few months ago without any background in grappling and it’s a great place to learn and train. Classes are very beginner friendly and my instructors and training partners have been patient and encouraging.
New to BJJ? Start at Cat-Paw Grappling Club
Cat-Paw Grappling Club 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.
Your first BJJ class at Cat-Paw Grappling Club
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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