HomeWashingtonSeattle › Identity Jiu-Jitsu

Identity Jiu-Jitsu

5 ★★★★★ 54 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Seattle, Washington

BJJ gym Free trial Beginners welcome No-gi

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
  • No-gi no-gi grappling classes — training in a rashguard and shorts, with faster scrambles and a natural bridge to MMA
  • Open mat open-mat rolling sessions for members to practice live — always optional and at your own pace
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule identityjiujitsu.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 206-786-1912

Hours

Monday 5–8:30 pm
Tuesday 5–8:30 pm
Wednesday 5–8:30 pm
Thursday 5–8:30 pm
Friday Closed
Saturday Closed
Sunday 5–6:30 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 Identity Jiu-Jitsu, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🩳 No-Gi 4 mentions

“The community is welcoming, and the nogi class, though intimidating at first, turned out to be fun, especially with their ecological class design.”

All gyms that run no-gi →

🥋 Gi 2 mentions

“This gym teaches both gi and no gi and the no gi classes follow an ecological dynamics approach.”

All gyms that run gi →

🔓 Open Mat

“Especially the community open mat.”

All gyms that run open mat →

🛡️ Self-Defense

“Identity has become my "3rd place" where I not only learn self defense skills but socialize with people from all walks of life.”

All gyms that run self-defense →

🌱 Beginners 6 mentions

“Started with the beginner program and found the coaches to be helpful and patient.”

All gyms that run beginners →

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 54 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 4 mentions

“The gym is a welcoming environment and Tuan is a great instructor who is deeply invested in practitioners' development and building community.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 15 mentions

“it can be intimidating to try jiu jitsu as a girl but everyone is so kind and welcoming that you really feel like you’re there to grow and learn together.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 26 mentions

“it can be intimidating to try jiu jitsu as a girl but everyone is so kind and welcoming that you really feel like you’re there to grow and learn together.”

🧼 clean, well-kept mats 7 mentions

“The space is super clean from the locker rooms to the mats to the showers (free shampoo!”

From the reviews

This is a very well run gym that offers a welcoming environment that is curated from the staff and all of its members. Everyone here is friendly and is very encouraging of newcomers. The facility has everything you need, plenty of mat space, bathrooms and even showers.

★★★★★ — Tony, Jan 2023

love this gym! the coaches are so patient and hardworking. it can be intimidating to try jiu jitsu as a girl but everyone is so kind and welcoming that you really feel like you’re there to grow and learn together. it helps that the facilities are organized and well kept.

★★★★★ — Nhi, Jan 2023

I recently joined the International District's first Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gym and I couldn't be happier with my decision. The gym is well-equipped with top-of-the-line equipment and has two showers for convenience. But what really stands out is the friendly and welcoming atmosphere.

★★★★★ — Kevin, Jan 2023

I was referred by a friend and tried the free trials at Identity Jiu-Jitsu. Started with the beginner program and found the coaches to be helpful and patient. The community is welcoming, and the nogi class, though intimidating at first, turned out to be fun, especially with their ecological class design.

★★★★★ — Peijie, Apr 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 54 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Identity Jiu-Jitsu

Identity 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.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first BJJ class at Identity 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.

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 Identity Jiu-Jitsu

619 8th Ave S, Seattle, WA98104

Get directions Instagram

More BJJ gyms near Seattle

Twisted Jiu-Jitsu

5 ★★★★★ 17 reviews

900 S Jackson St Unit 119, Seattle, WA

BJJ gym Beginners welcome No-gi expert, high-level coachingwelcoming to beginnersno-ego, friendly academy

under a mile away

Gracie Barra Seattle

5 ★★★★★ 39 reviews

270 S Hanford St #201, Seattle, WA

🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site

BJJ gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons No-gi Competition team Affiliated expert, high-level coachingwelcoming to beginnersno-ego, friendly academy

1.5 miles away

Snowblind BJJ

5 ★★★★★ 39 reviews

604 19th Ave E, Seattle, WA

🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site

BJJ gym Free trial Beginners welcome No-gi expert, high-level coachingwelcoming to beginnersno-ego, friendly academy

2.1 miles away

All BJJ gyms in Seattle, WA →

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.