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Gracie Jiu Jitsu of Marion Illinois
5 ★★★★★ 62 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Marion, 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
- 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
- Women's classes dedicated women's BJJ classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
- 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 ghmarion.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 618-889-9654
Hours
| Monday | 6–7:30 am, 4:30–8:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 6–7:30 am, 4:30–9 pm |
| Wednesday | 6–7:30 am, 11 am–1 pm, 4:30–8:30 pm |
| Thursday | 6–7:30 am, 4:30–9 pm |
| Friday | 11 am–1 pm |
| Saturday | 9–11 am |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“I cannot express enough gratitude for the incredible support my child has received at 4:13 Jiu Jitsu as he learns BJJ from Coach Tristen and the other coaches.”
“As a woman who has no martial arts experience, it was intimidating to think about trying it, but after the first class, I was hooked.”
“They offer classes for everyone—self-defense, kids, women, competitors, and hobbyists.”
“Classes are structured and positive, teaching important self-defense skills while also helping kids develop patience, focus, and perseverance.”
“Everyone there is super friendly and welcoming, which made it a lot less intimidating as a beginner.”
Other martial arts here
What members say
“As a woman who has no martial arts experience, it was intimidating to think about trying it, but after the first class, I was hooked.”
“I highly recommend 4:13 Jiu Jitsu to any parent looking for a supportive environment for their children, especially those needing a little extra help focusing.”
“Our kids’ confidence and skills have grown immensely since starting in Jiu Jitsu classes with the fantastic direction of the coaches.”
“They mix solid instruction, hard work, and friendly competition in a way that makes all the hard work fun.”
“If you’re looking for a martial arts instructor who genuinely gets kids, look no further than Tristan at Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.”
“If you’re even thinking about trying it, it’s 100% worth it.”
From the reviews
I cannot express enough gratitude for the incredible support my child has received at 4:13 Jiu Jitsu as he learns BJJ from Coach Tristen and the other coaches. As a parent of a child with ADHD, finding activities that help him focus and channel his energy positively has always been a challenge.
My 5-year-old and I have been coming to 413 for 8 months and we love it! The coaches are great, kind, professional. The kids classes are structured really well to keep them engaged and having fun. The adult classes are fun, informative, and challenging. A very friendly and welcoming environment.
Best Jiu Jitsu gym in the 618. Couldn't imagine going anywhere else. The community and the instruction is top notch
I’ve got my whole family training at Gracie Jiu Jitsu of Marion and I can’t say enough good things about it. They do a great job creating an environment where you can push yourself to your limits, but still feel comfortable no matter your skill level.
New to BJJ? Start at Gracie Jiu Jitsu of Marion Illinois
Gracie Jiu Jitsu of Marion Illinois 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 Gracie Jiu Jitsu of Marion Illinois
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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