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Guardian Jiu-Jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 103 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Holland, Michigan
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
- 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 guardianjiujitsu.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (616) 298-7600
Hours
| Monday | 4–7 PM |
| Tuesday | 4–7 PM |
| Wednesday | 4–7 PM |
| Thursday | 4–7 PM |
| Friday | 3:30–6 PM |
| Saturday | 10:30 AM–1 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“The seating area is great for spectators who are curious about the programs that are offered and for parents who enjoy watching and cheering for their children while they train.”
“I especially recommend the women’s classes to any women who are interested, we have a good group going.”
“Unlike some schools, all students are cared about and given attention, not just students who compete.”
“The instructors are approachable and are excellent at teaching BJJ to students at all skill levels.”
Other martial arts here
“If you're living in West Michigan and interested in training or competing in martial arts such as Jiu-Jitsu, Kickboxing, or MMA, look no further.”
“If you're living in West Michigan and interested in training or competing in martial arts such as Jiu-Jitsu, Kickboxing, or MMA, look no further.”
What members say
“Coach Kevin is a great guy & truly cares about his students.”
“You can stay and watch, you'll be impressed, beautiful mix of hard work, focus, fun as well as welcoming and safe.”
“Guardian is the perfect gym if you’re looking for a fun, hard working, and supportive community.”
“The instructors are very skilled at teaching and breaking down techniques, and they leave plenty of time to roll or spar so you can really try things out.”
“Unlike some schools, all students are cared about and given attention, not just students who compete.”
“The new facility is amazing, very spacious, with top of the line Zebra mats, locker rooms and showers.”
From the reviews
Large clean gym. Kevin is easily the most thorough, detailed coach I've worked with having been at a few gyms in the state. Our kids are loving the kids classes and it was pretty neat to take them to the first one and have a black belt leading the youngest group and working with the teens the next class.
Great gym! Facilities are awesome. Coaches are great with the kids. Our 8 year old boy has been going for about 6 weeks and has learned so much more than Jiu Jitsu. Discipline, attention, respect, just to name a few. Highly recommended! What a great experience!
If you're living in West Michigan and interested in training or competing in martial arts such as Jiu-Jitsu, Kickboxing, or MMA, look no further. Guardian has everything you could want in a facility. The facility itself is large with plenty of mat space, wall mats, heavy bags, etc.
I've trained at nearly a dozen different Brazilian Jiu Jitsu schools, and this school is right at the top. The instructors here, coach Kevin and coach Andy, are first rate. They are very personable, easily to talk to, and experts in their art. Most importantly, they know how to teach.
New to BJJ? Start at Guardian Jiu-Jitsu
Guardian 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 Guardian 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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🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site