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Cho Jiu Jitsu Academy

5 ★★★★★ 31 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Aurora, Illinois

BJJ gym Beginners welcome Kids & teens

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
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule chojiujitsu.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (262) 724-0035

Hours

Monday 6–9 PM
Tuesday 6–9 PM
Wednesday 6–9 PM
Thursday 6–9 PM
Friday 5–7 PM
Saturday 10 AM–12 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 Cho Jiu Jitsu Academy, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 7 mentions

“Both of my kids ages 9 and 7 have been rolling here for the past year and a half, and I recently joined them a few months ago.”

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🛡️ Self-Defense

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🌱 Beginners 2 mentions

“From beginner to competition-level, this is the place to be.”

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What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 31 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 3 mentions

“Tommy is a great instructor and venue and mat space is really nice.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 7 mentions

“Instructor Tommy is always encouraging, motivating, welcoming with each student no matter what their skill level is.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 9 mentions

“He treats everyone like family and I have the same philosophy as well so I look forward to Tommy sharing his expertise with the Fox Valley community.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 2 mentions

“Highly recommend his gym for top notch technique and training!”

active competition team 3 mentions

“Professor Tommy and coach Julian have coached my son to competition victories.”

🧠 builds confidence & discipline 2 mentions

“Professor Tommy has boosted my confidence and his knowledge has helped me excel in a short period of time.”

From the reviews

Cho Jiu Jitsu is more than just a BJJ gym, it's a community that is invested in building each other up. If you're nervous or intimidated to start training, just drop in for a class. You'll find a great group of welcoming people. Tommy the owner is a stand up guy and awesome coach.

★★★★★ — Elisha, Jan 2025

I have had the pleasure of knowing Tommy for many years, and I can honestly say he’s one of the most talented instructors and practitioners around. His team is very mighty, and most importantly, he fosters an amazing atmosphere where no matter how new you are, you feel special and apart of a community.

★★★★★ — Yousef, Mar 2025

I had the chance to drop in at Chi Jiu Jitsu in North Aurora, and it was an awesome experience. The instruction was top-notch, and the training environment was welcoming, focused, and technical. Even as a visitor, they made me feel welcome. Definitely a great spot for quality Jiu Jitsu!

★★★★★ — Tom, Jun 2025

A long time teammate and training partner. Tommy is a quality human being and excellent Jiu Jitsu practitioner and teacher. If you're looking for a great culture to be in and a great leader to learn from, Cho Jiu Jitsu academy is where its at!

★★★★★ — Ramses, Dec 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 31 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Cho Jiu Jitsu Academy

Cho 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 Cho 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 Cho Jiu Jitsu Academy

1674 N Randall Rd, Aurora, IL60506

Get directions Instagram

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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.