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Des Moines Jiu-Jitsu Academy
4.9 ★★★★★ 36 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Des Moines, Iowa
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
- 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 iowabjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 515-999-0278
Hours
| Monday | 11 am–12 pm, 5:45–7:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 11 am–12 pm, 5:45–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 11 am–12 pm, 5:45–7:30 pm |
| Thursday | 11 am–12 pm, 5:45–8 pm |
| Friday | 11 am–12 pm |
| Saturday | 8:45–11:30 am |
| Sunday | 11 am–12 pm |
The classes they run
“They have awesome adult and kids programs focusing on true Gracie style Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.”
“I'm visiting from Phoenix and walked in as a guest to the Jiu Jitsu no gi class.”
“I'm visiting from Phoenix and walked in as a guest to the Jiu Jitsu no gi class.”
“I couldn't recommend a better gym for a family or the competitor.”
“Nice big open gym, great mats, everyone was friendly.”
“The instructors do an amazing job creating a fun, structured, and positive environment where kids learn respect, confidence, and self-defense while actually enjoying the process.”
What members say
“The instructor was great and the students were there to work hard and have some fun.”
“The instructors are great and the students are very welcoming.”
“its a top notch academy with great people and a friendly environment that makes you feel welcomed.”
“They have awesome adult and kids programs focusing on true Gracie style Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.”
“This is the best place to train Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the Des Moines area.”
“This place is very clean and the mats are really soft.”
From the reviews
Visiting from out of town and had a great NoGi class. Nice big open gym, great mats, everyone was friendly. Will definitely be back if ever in Des Moines again!
My daughter has been a student for a little over a year, now. I cannot overstate the positive changes she has gone through in that time. She now has positive self esteem and a new found confidence that has allowed her to stand up for herself! I cannot thank the coaches enough for all they've done for her!
Did a drop in being from out of town. Large class of experienced fighters! Everyone made an effort to say hello and make me feel welcome. The gym shows respect and discipline ! If you're here for a day or a week drop in!
I had a great experience here. The instructor greeted me as soon as I arrived and helped me feel welcome. Everyone was friendly and open. I would keep coming back!
New to BJJ? Start at Des Moines Jiu-Jitsu Academy
Des Moines Jiu-Jitsu Academy 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 Des Moines Jiu-Jitsu Academy
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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