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Gideon Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu/ Self-Defense (Bloomington)
4.4 ★★★★☆ 36 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Bloomington, Illinois
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
- Membership memberships run around $100/mo — many academies also offer a discounted first month and family plans, so ask about new-member rates
- 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
- 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
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule gbbloomington.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 309-825-2638
Hours
| Monday | 5–8:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 5–8:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 5–8:30 pm |
| Thursday | 5–8:30 pm |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“My two children (12 and 15) and I have had a wonderful time training here over the last year.”
“Don always cared about all of us, came to our tournaments, worked out with us, and made sure our training environment was safe.”
“I’ve been very pleased with the private classes that I’ve been attending.”
“I wanted to find a place to learn practical and effective self defense techniques as well as accomplish my goals for fitness, and this place definitely exceeded my expectations.”
“I’m very particular and critical of community and culture and if you’re a first timer, this is the place to be!”
What members say
“Professor Don is an amazing coach not only because of his top notch jiu jitsu, but also, and more importantly, because of his genuine care for his students.”
“Gracie Barra Bloomington is an amazing school that providing a welcoming, family-like environment to train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.”
“It wasn’t until recently that I began to think about getting involved but I wanted to train at a Gracie sanctioned institution as the Gracie family largely re-invented jiu-jitsu.”
“I wanted to find a place to learn practical and effective self defense techniques as well as accomplish my goals for fitness, and this place definitely exceeded my expectations.”
“Learning a martial art has been a lifelong ambition and over the years Brazilian jiu-jitsu has emerged as the leading art form in competition and self-defense.”
“It wasn’t until recently that I began to think about getting involved but I wanted to train at a Gracie sanctioned institution as the Gracie family largely re-invented jiu-jitsu.”
From the reviews
This is the best school you can invest you and your family's future in. I have visited Gracie Barra Bloomington several times, and it never failed to present itself as the best martial arts academy in the Bloomington/Normal area. The head instructor, Professor Don Fox, is one of the nicest gentleman you will find.
Gracie Barra Bloomington is an amazing school that providing a welcoming, family-like environment to train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I have trained with Professor Don Fox for nearly three years. He is an excellent instructor and I am grateful for his teaching and encouragement both on and off of the mat.
Been training at Gracie Barra Bloomington since I was 10 years old. Fast forward 7 years later and I’m still training here happier than ever. Professor Don Fox has been an inspiration over the years and continues to suprise me with the awesome techniques he demonstrates.
Great place to learn jiu jitsu. Professor Fox has always treated me and my boy Tyson great! He’s very passionate about the art and makes classes fun and a good workout. The racism comments are completely ridiculous. There are many different races in the classes and everyone is treated the same.
New to BJJ? Start at Gideon Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu/ Self-Defense (Bloomington)
Gideon Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu/ Self-Defense (Bloomington) 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 Gideon Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu/ Self-Defense (Bloomington)
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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