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Ground Theory Jiu Jitsu
4.9 ★★★★★ 112 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Lawrence, Kansas
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 groundtheoryjiujitsu.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (785) 424-3093
Hours
| Monday | 6–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 6–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 6–9 PM |
| Thursday | 6–9 PM |
| Friday | 6–9 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM–1 PM |
| Sunday | 11 AM–12:30 PM |
The classes they run
“The time I put in on the mat is reflected in my functional coordination, my ability to effortlessly care for my children, and my confidence to defend myself or loved ones.”
“Both my teen kids loved being here, my husband and I both felt welcomed and we all got great instruction.”
“Pictured was from a tournament where Heidi was in the corner coaching my kids through their matches.”
“Not only can women engage in the jiu Jitsu culture, but can also learn a variety self-defense techniques that can be helpful.”
“Matt is an excellent instructor who can teach both simple and advanced concepts to players of all levels.”
Other martial arts here
“If you are trying to get into MMA or just enjoy diverse workouts, you will always have something new to try.”
What members say
“Matt and Heidi are both incredibly knowledgeable instructors, but are patient with new-comers to help develop their skills.”
“Ground Theory Jiu Jitsu in Lawrence is an outstanding gym with fantastic instructors and a welcoming, supportive community.”
“Ground Theory Jiu Jitsu in Lawrence is an outstanding gym with fantastic instructors and a welcoming, supportive community.”
“Not only can women engage in the jiu Jitsu culture, but can also learn a variety self-defense techniques that can be helpful.”
“The time I put in on the mat is reflected in my functional coordination, my ability to effortlessly care for my children, and my confidence to defend myself or loved ones.”
“Lastly, they are great as a competitive gym, with a decent-sized group often going to competitions around the region.”
From the reviews
I’ve been training with Matt and Heidi since I moved to Lawrence 5 years ago. They understand that their students all have diverse reasons for training jiu jitsu and they’re supportive of everyone’s goals- whether that’s to compete in the sport side, for self-defense, or just to build a new hobby.
Ground Theory gave me everything I could ask for with a martial arts gym. It was highly inclusive (which, as a transgender individual, was very important) and has a great women’s group. The class schedule is very easy to fit into your week due to the variety of class times held every day of the week.
I’ve been training under Heidi and Matt for the last 7 years. They are truly a gem to the Lawrence community. They are attentive, caring, extremely knowledgeable, and amazing mentors to truly improve your jiu jitsu game.
5/5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Highly recommend this gym for the whole family. Both my teen kids loved being here, my husband and I both felt welcomed and we all got great instruction. The group of women there are amazing, it feels like a supportive community and I Loved that not only for myself but for my teen daughter.
New to BJJ? Start at Ground Theory Jiu Jitsu
Ground Theory Jiu Jitsu 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 Ground Theory 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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