HomeIllinoisOak Lawn › Crimson Guard Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Crimson Guard Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

4.9 ★★★★★ 53 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Oak Lawn, 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 crimsonguardbjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 708-566-0169

Hours

Monday 5:15–7 pm
Tuesday 10–11 am, 5:30–7:30 pm
Wednesday 5:30–7:30 pm
Thursday 11 am–12 pm, 5–7 pm
Friday Closed
Saturday 9 am–12:30 pm
Sunday 10:30–11:30 am

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 Crimson Guard Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 22 mentions

“The instructors are knowledgeable, patient, and know exactly how to push kids like my 10-year-old son to reach their full potential while building confidence and discipline.”

All gyms that run kids bjj →

🌱 Beginners 3 mentions

“The facility is well-maintained, and the atmosphere is inviting for both beginners and experienced practitioners.”

All gyms that run beginners →

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 53 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 9 mentions

“Crimson Guard Jiu Jitsu is an exceptional gym that stands out for its cleanliness, welcoming community, and knowledgeable instructors.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 6 mentions

“Crimson Guard Jiu Jitsu is an exceptional gym that stands out for its cleanliness, welcoming community, and knowledgeable instructors.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 15 mentions

“Crimson Guard Jiu Jitsu is an exceptional gym that stands out for its cleanliness, welcoming community, and knowledgeable instructors.”

🧒 strong kids program 4 mentions

“Kids program is really popular too, mats always filled with kids with serious skill that they learned from Crimson Guard.”

🧼 clean, well-kept mats 8 mentions

“Crimson Guard Jiu Jitsu is an exceptional gym that stands out for its cleanliness, welcoming community, and knowledgeable instructors.”

🧠 builds confidence & discipline 8 mentions

“The instructors are knowledgeable, patient, and know exactly how to push kids like my 10-year-old son to reach their full potential while building confidence and discipline.”

From the reviews

Joining Crimson Guard has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. Coach Matt, along with the other coaches are phenomenal teachers with many years of experience. Clean gym, awesome classmates, and great coaches! Definitely check this place out if you are looking for a life changing journey!!

★★★★★ — Fouad, Jan 2023

I've been coming to this BJJ gym for two years. I have previously trained elsewhere at a place that was a bit different. I can with total confidence say that this is a great place to learn and train jiu jitsu at.

★★★★★ — Sean, Sep 2024

I started going to Crimson Guard to challenge my level of fitness. Going in I knew absolutely nothing. Day one I left learning something and I can say I’ve learned something new every time I’ve gone in and it is a challenge every single day! The coaches are great all around very knowledgeable, welcoming, and fun.

★★★★★ — Collin, Jan 2024

This sure is a good place to learn real jiu jitsu at. Matt is a great guy and does a really good job with new students and advanced students. If you want to be serious and have a serious instructor that will really teach you look no further. 5 stars.

★★★★★ — Phil, Feb 2026

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 53 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Crimson Guard Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Crimson Guard Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 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.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first BJJ class at Crimson Guard 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.

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 Crimson Guard Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

4640 W 103rd St, Oak Lawn, IL60453

Get directions

More BJJ gyms near Oak Lawn

Aries Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

5 ★★★★★ 5 reviews

10200 S Kedzie Ave Ste B, Evergreen Park, IL

BJJ gym Competition team Affiliated legit lineage & affiliation

1.8 miles away

Grassroots Jiu-Jitsu and Fitness

5 ★★★★★ 64 reviews

10940 S Western Ave, Chicago, IL

🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site

BJJ gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons No-gi Affiliated expert, high-level coachingwelcoming to beginnersno-ego, friendly academy

2.9 miles away

CombatZone Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and MMA

4.9 ★★★★★ 53 reviews

1856 W 95th St, Chicago, IL

BJJ gym Kids & teens Private lessons no-ego, friendly academystrong kids program

Boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu are taught at this facility, also featuring personal training.

3.6 miles away

All BJJ gyms in Oak Lawn, 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.