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Deep Water Jiu Jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 31 Google reviews · BJJ gym in McHenry, Illinois
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
- No-gi no-gi grappling classes — training in a rashguard and shorts, with faster scrambles and a natural bridge to MMA
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule deepwaterjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 815-790-0076
Hours
| Monday | 5–8:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 5–8:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 5–8:30 pm |
| Thursday | 5–8:30 pm |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 9–11 am |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“His ability to break down complex techniques into fundamental concepts is truly exceptional, making it easy for students of all levels to understand and apply!”
“Huge shout out to Coach Liz, Jason and Austin for providing such a fun and safe space for my son to learn how to properly defend himself!”
“As a woman, jiu jitsu can be a little intimidating, but Coach Rob has always been highly supportive of me and my journey.”
“Whether you are a beginner or an advanced practitioner, you will greatly benefit from his expertise and dedication at Deep Water Jiu Jitsu.”
Other martial arts here
“He is also an exceptional coach in wrestling, striking and mma.”
“He is also an exceptional coach in wrestling, striking and mma.”
What members say
“Professor Rob is an incredible instructor and possesses a wealth of knowledge across multiple martial arts.”
“Whether you are a beginner or an advanced practitioner, you will greatly benefit from his expertise and dedication at Deep Water Jiu Jitsu.”
“I have been training Jiu Jitsu for almost ten years, and he is one of the most unique, friendly and knowledgeable teachers I have had the pleasure of working with.”
“His ability to break down complex techniques into fundamental concepts is truly exceptional, making it easy for students of all levels to understand and apply!”
“His teaching style makes for a genuinely fun class while also giving his students a great workout.”
“My kids have gained so much confidence, discipline, and physical fitness through their training, and I’ve seen a huge improvement in my own skills as well.”
From the reviews
I trained under Professor Rob at Redzovic Jiu-Jitsu in Chicago for several years before he moved out to Deep Water. He’s a funny guy and a great coach. He heavily favors positional sparring and drilling over the traditional static drilling that most BJJ gyms use.
I highly recommend Deep Water simply because Professor Rob will be teaching there. I have been training Jiu Jitsu for almost ten years, and he is one of the most unique, friendly and knowledgeable teachers I have had the pleasure of working with. He is also an exceptional coach in wrestling, striking and mma.
Professor Rob is the best! I highly recommend learning from him regardless of your age or current skill level. He is an excellent kids coach as well as a super funny and personable guy!
Professor Rob Mesce is an exceptional instructor who has taken my Jiu Jitsu game to the next level. His teaching style makes for a genuinely fun class while also giving his students a great workout.
New to BJJ? Start at Deep Water Jiu Jitsu
Deep Water 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.
Your first BJJ class at Deep Water 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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