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Citadel Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 310 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Iowa City, Iowa
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 — 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
- 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 citadelbjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 319-855-8110
Hours
| Monday | 10:45 am–8:45 pm |
| Tuesday | 6:15–7:45 am, 10:45 am–8:45 pm |
| Wednesday | 10:45 am–8:45 pm |
| Thursday | 6:15–7:45 am, 10:45 am–8:45 pm |
| Friday | 10:45 am–8:15 pm |
| Saturday | 9:45 am–12:15 pm |
| Sunday | 10:45 am–12:45 pm |
The classes they run
“Working with the team at Citadel BJJ has been invaluable for my son in building strength and confidence that he takes with him everywhere.”
“Even though there are never as many girls, especially teen girls in the sport, she was able to jump in and learn.”
“I took an initial Gi fundamentals class with excellent coaching and then joined a No-Gi session for several rolls with skilled high level practitioners.”
“Whether you are looking to compete, just learn a form of self defense, or wanting to get in shape then Citadel is the place to be!”
“I got great instruction for Coach Matt and great rolls in open mat.”
“Whether you are looking to compete, just learn a form of self defense, or wanting to get in shape then Citadel is the place to be!”
“I went to Citadel to try brazilian jiu-jitsu for the first time and it was a fantastic experience.”
Other martial arts here
What members say
“I took an initial Gi fundamentals class with excellent coaching and then joined a No-Gi session for several rolls with skilled high level practitioners.”
“I was immediately impressed with the welcoming atmosphere and facility which was very clean and had enough space to support multiple simultaneous classes.”
“I was immediately impressed with the welcoming atmosphere and facility which was very clean and had enough space to support multiple simultaneous classes.”
“I was immediately impressed with the welcoming atmosphere and facility which was very clean and had enough space to support multiple simultaneous classes.”
“Working with the team at Citadel BJJ has been invaluable for my son in building strength and confidence that he takes with him everywhere.”
From the reviews
Citadel BJJ is a great gym with excellent coaches and a very friendly, competitive group of students. Come to Citadel to learn, get stronger and meet some great people.
I've had a great experience with my first few weeks of training. Matt and Jim are fantastic coaches and everyone was very welcoming when I first started. I feel lucky to have such a great group to train with and learn from. I couldn't recommend Citadel BJJ more.
My 15 year old daughter has recently fallen in love with Jiujitsu. We were traveling in Iowa visiting family for the week, and the owner allowed my daughter to come and train. Even though there are never as many girls, especially teen girls in the sport, she was able to jump in and learn.
Hidden gem. Blessed to have traveled extensively and trained in more gyms than I can count. Citadel is now at the top of my list. Didn’t get to attend an actual class, but rolled enough to learn this gym is super technical and each person was confident in their game. Challenging, but laid back open rolls.
New to BJJ? Start at Citadel Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Citadel Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu 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.
Your first BJJ class at Citadel Brazilian 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.
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