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Detroit Jiu-Jitsu Academy
4.9 ★★★★★ 260 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Dearborn, Michigan
Affiliated academy — reviews and the gym's own info point to a recognized BJJ lineage or affiliation (think Gracie Barra, 10th Planet, Renzo Gracie, Alliance, Atos or Checkmat). If lineage matters to you, ask which affiliation the academy belongs to and under whom the head instructor earned their black belt.
Plan your first class
- Free trial or intro class most gyms welcome new members with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
- 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 (ages 6–15) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- Private lessons private, one-on-one coaching available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
- No-gi no-gi grappling classes — training in a rashguard and shorts, with faster scrambles and a natural bridge to MMA
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule detroitjiujitsu.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (313) 522-3222
Hours
| Monday | 11:30 AM–1 PM, 5–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 11:30 AM–1 PM, 5–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 11:30 AM–1 PM, 5–9 PM |
| Thursday | 11:30 AM–1 PM, 5–9 PM |
| Friday | 6–7:30 AM, 5–9 PM |
| Saturday | 12:30–2 PM |
| Sunday | 11:30 AM–1 PM |
The classes they run
“Whether you want your kids to stop being bullied at school or you want to go become a professional fighter there’s no better place in Michigan than Detroit Jiu-jitsu.”
“The classes are perfect for both competitors and hobbyists.”
“The coaches are knowledgeable, patient, and dedicated to helping every student improve — whether you’re a beginner or advanced.”
Other martial arts here
“Their success over the years has led to the expansion of the gym, and now they offer a full spectrum of martial art skills (Muay Thai kickboxing, Boxing, Wrestling, etc.”
“You have Brazilian jiu jitsu, Muay Thai, boxing, wrestling, and MMA all under one roof along with a weight lifting gym only open to members.”
“Their success over the years has led to the expansion of the gym, and now they offer a full spectrum of martial art skills (Muay Thai kickboxing, Boxing, Wrestling, etc.”
“Their success over the years has led to the expansion of the gym, and now they offer a full spectrum of martial art skills (Muay Thai kickboxing, Boxing, Wrestling, etc.”
“Their success over the years has led to the expansion of the gym, and now they offer a full spectrum of martial art skills (Muay Thai kickboxing, Boxing, Wrestling, etc.”
What members say
“It truly emulates the grit that you find in Michigan as you are learning from world-class black belts that have proven it in competition.”
“The coaches are knowledgeable, patient, and dedicated to helping every student improve — whether you’re a beginner or advanced.”
“The time my family and I have spent here has been awesome, and I would highly recommend it, to those who are looking for a place to train in the martial arts.”
“The cardio, technique, and athleticism of their students has me motivated to up my game.”
“You build lifelong friendships with your teammates through sweat, hard work, and shared adversity.”
“It truly emulates the grit that you find in Michigan as you are learning from world-class black belts that have proven it in competition.”
From the reviews
DJJ is not only a school, but truly a huge part of my life. I moved here several years ago and didn’t know many people or anything about martial arts. I signed up for a free class and showed up to their old facility.
An absolute fantastic place to learn the art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu! While initially seeking out a place to take my 10 year old son back in 2017 to learn the martial art, I was suggested to attend this place by a friend. It was a great decision.
What will make you understand the impact this place had on my life? This place is not just a training facility but a hub for character development. It’s a blessing to be surrounded by beautiful souls who work hard, keep you accountable, and treat you like family with respect and dignity.
I found Brazilian jiu-jitsu later in life. Its practice was intimidating at first; DJJ has a reputation for being the best school in Michigan and its members are clearly committed and passionate about the sport. I was welcomed and encouraged to embrace my own path. A demanding job prevented more than 1-2 nights a week.
New to BJJ? Start at Detroit Jiu-Jitsu Academy
Detroit 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 Detroit 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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