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Dekalb County Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

4.8 ★★★★★ 20 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Hinckley, 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 dekalbcountybjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule

Hours

Monday 6–8:30 pm
Tuesday 7–8:30 pm
Wednesday 6–8:30 pm
Thursday 6–8:30 pm
Friday 6–7:30 pm
Saturday Closed
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 Dekalb County Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 3 mentions

“If you’re looking for a gym for yourself or your kids this is the gym for you!”

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🌱 Beginners 2 mentions

“This is a great Brazilian jiu jitsu school for people at all levels to learn.”

All gyms that run beginners →

Other martial arts here

BJJ gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at Dekalb County Brazilian Jiu Jitsu — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🥊 Muay Thai

“This is the place that introduced me to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai.”

Other gyms that also teach muay thai →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the gym's own info — they show what members have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want MMA, muay thai, or wrestling alongside your BJJ, confirm the current schedule with the gym.

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 20 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 2 mentions

“The instructor black belt Eric Hartwig is an amazing Instructor, been going there about 18 months and have had a great time and learned a lot.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 4 mentions

“From making me feel very welcome on my first day to learning something new everyday I go in.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 5 mentions

“Great instructor and a great group of guys that are always supportive and encouraging.”

From the reviews

This is the place that introduced me to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai. Tons of fun, great people, and one hell of an experience! After training and competing out of here for the last year and a half +, I can't see myself going without it ever again.

★★★★★ — Brad, Apr 2025

This is a great Brazilian jiu jitsu school for people at all levels to learn. Great group of students to work and learn with. Would highly recommend this place. If you ever thought of trying BJJ, I would say go here and give it a try!

★★★★★ — Joe, Jan 2018

The instructor black belt Eric Hartwig is an amazing Instructor, been going there about 18 months and have had a great time and learned a lot. The environment is also great atmosphere for people starting out. Highly recommend it!

★★★★★ — Joe, Sep 2016

Syarted 3 months ago and got completely hooked. Great instructor and a great group of guys that are always supportive and encouraging. Perfect for beginners and veterans alike.

★★★★★ — Nick, Apr 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 20 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Dekalb County Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Dekalb County 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 Dekalb County 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. 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 Dekalb County Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

210 W Lincoln Ave, Hinckley, IL60520

Get directions

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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.