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Driftless Academy: Boxing, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Womens' Jiujitsu, Judo and Wrestling
5 ★★★★★ 31 Google reviews · BJJ gym in La Crosse, Wisconsin
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 — 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 driftlessacademy.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (608) 881-6499
Hours
| Monday | 10:30 AM–1:30 PM, 4–8:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 9 AM–1:30 PM, 4:30–8:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 9 AM–1:30 PM, 4:30–8:30 PM |
| Thursday | 9 AM–1:30 PM, 4:30–8:30 PM |
| Friday | 9 AM–1:30 PM, 4:30–8:30 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM–1 PM |
| Sunday | 10 AM–12 PM |
The classes they run
“My daughter has gained so much confidence through being part of jiu jitsu classes.”
“I love their open mats and being able to shower on site, as I have to travel over an hour to attend.”
Other martial arts here
What members say
“Great instructors who really care about your development and want to help you grow!”
“I was down here for a week for work training and they were very friendly and welcoming when they let me drop in.”
“I was down here for a week for work training and they were very friendly and welcoming when they let me drop in.”
“My daughter has gained so much confidence through being part of jiu jitsu classes.”
“Clean space, welcoming instructors/members, structured and relevant classes, and a whole lot of FUN.”
“Starting jiu-jitsu has really changed my life and I would highly recommend anybody to come try it out and watch how it can change your life too!”
From the reviews
When I started at Ironworks Driftless Academy, I had so many questions! Am I too old? Am I fit enough? Can I even do this? I found out the answer to all of those (No, Yes, and Yes). The facilities are great, the instructors are awesome! The other students have all been welcoming and patient with my 'new guy' struggles.
Great instructors and coaching. A very professional environment that pushes you to improve. Brazilian jiu-jitsu provides a great workout while being dynamic and engaging.
We have only been members for a few months but it’s already changed my family’s life. My daughter has gained so much confidence through being part of jiu jitsu classes. And my husband has really made strides in his fitness since he has joined, in ways that he hasn’t been able to achieve since being in the military.
Great instructors who really care about your development and want to help you grow! It really makes going to class fun when you can tell the instructors care about you. Starting jiu-jitsu has really changed my life and I would highly recommend anybody to come try it out and watch how it can change your life too!
New to BJJ? Start at Driftless Academy: Boxing, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Womens' Jiujitsu, Judo and Wrestling
Driftless Academy: Boxing, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Womens' Jiujitsu, Judo and Wrestling 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 Driftless Academy: Boxing, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Womens' Jiujitsu, Judo and Wrestling
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.
Where to find Driftless Academy: Boxing, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Womens' Jiujitsu, Judo and Wrestling
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