HomeIllinoisLibertyville › Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu Jitsu And Fitness Libertyville

Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu Jitsu And Fitness Libertyville

4.8 ★★★★★ 51 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Libertyville, Illinois

Part of Gracie Barra

BJJ gym Free trial Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens Competition team

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 — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule gblibertyville.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 224-513-5595

Hours

Monday 6 am–8:30 pm
Tuesday 6 am–8:30 pm
Wednesday 6 am–8:30 pm
Thursday 6 am–8:30 pm
Friday 6 am–8:30 pm
Saturday 6 am–8:30 pm
Sunday 6 am–8:30 pm

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 Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu Jitsu And Fitness Libertyville, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 18 mentions

“I've taken my son's here for almost 3 years and Professor Scott is amazing with young kids”

All gyms that run kids bjj →

Teens BJJ 2 mentions

“Adults, teens and kids programs offer maximum benefits, including discipline, mental focus, stress relief and physical fitness.”

All gyms that run teens bjj →

🏆 Competition Team 3 mentions

“This is the ideal space for anyone looking to train Jiu Jitsu, whether it’s your first class or you’re a competitor seeking to sharpen your skills among like-minded individuals.”

All gyms that run competition team →

🛡️ Self-Defense 2 mentions

“The fundamentals class was well-structured—solid self-defense and ground work with optional live rolls at the end.”

All gyms that run self-defense →

🌱 Beginners 2 mentions

“I was a beginner looking for a gym to start out at and they made me feel very welcome.”

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 Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu Jitsu And Fitness Libertyville — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

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 51 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 4 mentions

“I've taken my son's here for almost 3 years and Professor Scott is amazing with young kids”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 11 mentions

“This is the ideal space for anyone looking to train Jiu Jitsu, whether it’s your first class or you’re a competitor seeking to sharpen your skills among like-minded individuals.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 16 mentions

“The staff is incredibly friendly, especially the two ladies at the front desk—Coach Marleen and Coach Edyta, who are both exceptionally knowledgeable.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 3 mentions

“Beyond regular class hours, they willingly invest extra time to refine techniques and strategize, pushing students beyond their limits.”

🧒 strong kids program 2 mentions

“Myself and my kids ( 12yrs and 6yrs ) love the place, coaches and professors.”

active competition team 3 mentions

“This is the ideal space for anyone looking to train Jiu Jitsu, whether it’s your first class or you’re a competitor seeking to sharpen your skills among like-minded individuals.”

From the reviews

Took my kids 11 & 13 here today. What an awesome facility, but the staff make the place what it is. Professor Scott treated the kids with respect and kindness. Front desk staff treated us like we were family despite just meeting them today.

★★★★★ — Corey, Jul 2024

I’ve been around Jiu Jitsu in Northern IL since 2012, the instruction and facility at GB Libertyville are the best I’ve seen. Professors Jamil, Sergio, and Scott demonstrate a commitment to excellence that goes beyond the mat.

★★★★★ — Matt, Nov 2023

Over the years I've heard a ton of great things about Jiu Jitsu. I began looking around I quickly found that Gracie Barra Libertyville was one of the best places in the area. I'm 48 years old so was a little nervous stepping out on the mat. I couldn't have found a more welcoming place.

★★★★★ — Robert, Aug 2021

Great experience visiting this Jiu-Jitsu academy! The facility is spacious, modern, and exceptionally clean. Friendly front desk welcome. The fundamentals class was well-structured—solid self-defense and ground work with optional live rolls at the end. Prof.

★★★★★ — Jp, Feb 2026

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 51 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu Jitsu And Fitness Libertyville

Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu Jitsu And Fitness Libertyville 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.

See their beginner class info

Your first BJJ class at Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu Jitsu And Fitness Libertyville

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.

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 Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu Jitsu And Fitness Libertyville

13960 W Rockland Rd, Libertyville, IL60048

Get directions Instagram · Facebook

More BJJ gyms near Libertyville

Fit 2 Defend Academy

5 ★★★★★ 93 reviews

419 W Washington Ave Ste A, Lake Bluff, IL

🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site

Ages 5–16

BJJ gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens No-gi Competition team expert, high-level coachingwelcoming to beginnersno-ego, friendly academy

1.8 miles away

Northshore Academy of Martial Arts Libertyville Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Kickboxing, Krav Maga

5 ★★★★★ 51 reviews

281 Peterson Rd, Libertyville, IL

🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site

Ages 4–15

BJJ gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons Competition team expert, high-level coachingno-ego, friendly academystrong kids program

3.6 miles away

Cohen Brothers Judo Wrestling

4.9 ★★★★★ 42 reviews

150 N Fairway Dr Ste 156, Vernon Hills, IL

🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site

Ages 4+

BJJ gym Free trial Kids & teens Private lessons expert, high-level coachingno-ego, friendly academystrong kids program

4.5 miles away

All BJJ gyms in Libertyville, IL →

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.