Home › Illinois › Chicago › Degerberg Academy of Martial Arts
Degerberg Academy of Martial Arts
4.9 ★★★★★ 111 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Chicago, 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
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule degerbergacademy.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (773) 728-5300
Hours
| Monday | 4:30–9:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 11 AM–1 PM, 4:30–9:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 4:30–9:30 PM |
| Thursday | 11 AM–1 PM, 4:30–9:30 PM |
| Friday | 4:30–8 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM–2:30 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“In my experience, the foundation of their teachings are in the basics which is then elevated through progress.”
“As a mother, I've seen a positive transformation in my child, with top-notch instructors who are adept at teaching a variety of martial arts disciplines.”
“Whether it’s confidence, self defense, or preparing to compete, it can all be found here at Degerberg Academy!”
“Degerberg Academy of Martial Arts is a wonderful martial arts school, emphasizing respect and confidence through their well-rounded self-defense program.”
Other martial arts here
“The instructors are terrific with kids, teaching MMA with a terrific blend of discipline and positive reinforcement.”
What members say
“Incredible instructors who have so much knowledge to share in a variety of arts, and help their students build confidence on and off the mats.”
“Fred Degerberg, who is very well known and respected martial artist has created a great place to learn martial arts from really good teachers in a friendly environment.”
“They teach above and beyond Martial Arts techniques such as discipline, responsibility, respect for others, manners, and self defense.”
“The eight-year-old daughter has gained (much needed) self-confidence in addition to quality instruction in martial arts and strength & conditioning.”
“My son has thrived here athletically and mentally.”
“We eventually ended up coming back here because it is the best we have found--it is worth the commute.”
From the reviews
I've had 2/3 kids training at Degerberg since 2021. The eight-year-old daughter has gained (much needed) self-confidence in addition to quality instruction in martial arts and strength & conditioning. Six-year-old son is right behind her. My four year old asks all the time when he can start.
As a parent of a student in this academy, I really appreciate the consistency this organization has across the board for martial arts, home and school. Builds great discipline and structure for any student here.
I highly recommend this place. My son has had a really great experience here. We started out with the Ninja Turtles program when he was younger. It was excellent, however after a while we decided to look at other places because we don't live nearby.
If you have been hesitating about which Martial Arts school to go to, it should be Degerberg Academy. I've been sending both of my boys ages 13 and 9 to Dagerberg for over a year now, and it has been one of the best decisions I have made.
New to BJJ? Start at Degerberg Academy of Martial Arts
Degerberg Academy of Martial Arts 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 Degerberg Academy of Martial Arts
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.
More BJJ gyms near Chicago
Redzovic Jiu Jitsu Chicago
4.9 ★★★★★ 147 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
Valko Jiu Jitsu Studio
5 ★★★★★ 47 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
Lakeside Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
4.9 ★★★★★ 78 reviews