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Ground Rules Jiu Jitsu
4.7 ★★★★★ 42 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Tinley Park, 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
- 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 groundrulesjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (708) 888-0747
Hours
| Monday | 6:30–8:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 4:45–8:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 5:30–8:30 PM |
| Thursday | 4:45–8:30 PM |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 9:30 AM–1 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“My kid struggles with task initiation and the owner/coach immediately got down to her level, talked calmly explaining what they were going to do, and then held her hand.”
“He has been learning self defense, gaining confidence, and meeting new friends all within a positive atmosphere.”
“Amazing supportive learning environment for kids and adults alike, beginners, and more advanced grapplers.”
Other martial arts here
What members say
“Great instruction, great people, and great environment.”
“Anyone looking to learn the art of Jiu Jitsu or improve their craft in a clean, welcoming, and safe environment with highly experienced and caring instructors, this gym is for you!”
“Anyone looking to learn the art of Jiu Jitsu or improve their craft in a clean, welcoming, and safe environment with highly experienced and caring instructors, this gym is for you!”
“The instructors are phenomenal—they are technical, wanting you to know the basics well and then build your grappling skills while giving you an intense workout.”
“The instructors are phenomenal—they are technical, wanting you to know the basics well and then build your grappling skills while giving you an intense workout.”
“They truly care about their students and while the physical aspect is great, my wife and I have seen such amazing strides in our son’s confidence.”
From the reviews
Ground Rules Jiu Jitsu is the gym to train at. The knowledge and passion the instructors put in is amazing! Their organized curriculum is outstanding. My kids love going there, and always look forward to the next training day. The atmosphere at the gym is positive, and welcoming.
Ground rules is a jiu jitsu gym that incorporates a family fun atmosphere where you can train and be a part of their jiu jitsu passion. The instructors are amazing! Fran, Jill, Dave, Kyle and their staff genuinely care about each student and their journey.
I have been training at Ground Rules for 7 months and it has been nothing short of amazing. Coming into a new sport, like Jiu Jitsu, as a female was intimidating but the caring nature of the coaches and friendliness of all the students has made it a truly wonderful experience.
My family and I have been training at Ground Rules Jiu Jitsu since its inception. The instructors are highly skilled and ensure a family atmosphere that places the focus on developing the skills of all involved.
New to BJJ? Start at Ground Rules Jiu Jitsu
Ground Rules Jiu Jitsu 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 Ground Rules Jiu Jitsu
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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