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Hamel Jiu Jitsu Club

5 ★★★★★ 57 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Medina, Minnesota

BJJ gym Free trial Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens No-gi

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
  • No-gi no-gi grappling classes — training in a rashguard and shorts, with faster scrambles and a natural bridge to MMA
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule hameljiujitsu.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 612-400-8265

Hours

Monday 8 am–9 pm
Tuesday 8 am–9 pm
Wednesday 8 am–9 pm
Thursday 8 am–9 pm
Friday 8 am–9 pm
Saturday 8 am–9 pm
Sunday 8 am–9 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 Hamel Jiu Jitsu Club, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 8 mentions

“Coach Ryan is incredibly good with kids and has the perfect combination of teaching with skill, encouragement, and discipline.”

All gyms that run kids bjj →

🛡️ Self-Defense

“He is learning self-confidence, physical fitness, discipline, and of course self defense.”

All gyms that run self-defense →

🌱 Beginners 8 mentions

“Classes are approachable and rewarding for beginners and appropriate and valuable even for those with previous experience.”

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 Hamel Jiu Jitsu Club — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🤸 Wrestling

“Coach Darren has decades of wrestling experience and Coach Drake approaches BJJ coaching with new ideas and a passion for making sure his students succeed.”

Other gyms that also teach wrestling →

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 57 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 2 mentions

“It’s a very clean mat and Darren is a fantastic coach. Great group of guys that come to the gym all from beginners to word champs.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 16 mentions

“This is a very welcoming and positive gym/dojo and it is such a great way for these kids to learn so many skills beyond just the physical techniques of jiu jitsu.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 15 mentions

“This is a very welcoming and positive gym/dojo and it is such a great way for these kids to learn so many skills beyond just the physical techniques of jiu jitsu.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 5 mentions

“This is a very welcoming and positive gym/dojo and it is such a great way for these kids to learn so many skills beyond just the physical techniques of jiu jitsu.”

great workout & conditioning 3 mentions

“Every time I come to Hamel Jiu Jitsu I have an amazing time and great workout with lots of learning.”

🧒 strong kids program 2 mentions

“We recently joined the kids program at Hamel Jiu Jitsu.”

From the reviews

Hamel Jiu Jitsu Club is an amazing BJJ gym with exceptional coaches and a fantastic culture focused on mutual support rather than competition. The atmosphere encourages personal growth, making it an ideal place for those looking to excel in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu while fostering a sense of community.

★★★★★ — Jake, Dec 2025

Beginner BJJ student, father, 44 years old, no combat sports experience and was looking for a gym where I could learn the fundamentals, get a great workout and be part of a thriving community. HJJC ticks all the boxes.

★★★★★ — Brent, Apr 2024

Great place to learn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu! Drake and Darrin are thoughtful instructors and skilled grapplers. Classes are approachable and rewarding for beginners and appropriate and valuable even for those with previous experience. If you are in the Hamel area you should check it out.

★★★★★ — Ryan, Jan 2024

Never had done BJJ before starting at hamel and was instantly hooked. It’s a very clean mat and Darren is a fantastic coach. Great group of guys that come to the gym all from beginners to word champs. I never felt unwelcome to roll with high level guys and everyone’s always willing to answer questions and help.

★★★★★ — Cameron, Aug 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 57 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Hamel Jiu Jitsu Club

Hamel Jiu Jitsu Club 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.

See their beginner class info

Your first BJJ class at Hamel Jiu Jitsu Club

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 Hamel Jiu Jitsu Club

770 Tower Dr, Medina, MN55340

Get directions

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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.