Home › Michigan › Novi › iMA Sports Novi
iMA Sports Novi
5 ★★★★★ 108 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Novi, 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 (ages 4–16) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- Women's classes dedicated women's BJJ classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule imasportsnovi.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (248) 438-8420
Hours
| Monday | 10 AM–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 10 AM–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 10 AM–9 PM |
| Thursday | 10 AM–9 PM |
| Friday | 10 AM–6 PM |
| Saturday | 9:30 AM–2 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“My son has been attending young champs JJ / Muay Thai classes since May and over the nine months I have clearly seen his dedication and growth through training .”
“Highly recommend for anyone serious about learning or continuing in their Muay Thai & Brazilian jiu-jitsu self defense journey.”
“It was her first class and I liked how beginner friendly it was and very easy to follow along.”
Other martial arts here
“My son has been attending young champs JJ / Muay Thai classes since May and over the nine months I have clearly seen his dedication and growth through training .”
“) Our son has learned so much and is really enjoying karate, even asking to do the after school program starting this fall.”
What members say
“Best coaches, well organized class for young kiddos.”
“I recommend them for beginners and experienced fighters alike.”
“We love the way how things are handled here, all the staffs and coaches are friendly and responsive.”
“They understand that developing in character is just as important as developing the technique (which they do a great job with the kids on as well.”
“It has been great to see my son's confidence and coordination grow in their jujutsu program!”
“The facility is super clean and organized and my son looks forward to coming to class and is really proud of what he has done & it increases confidence.”
From the reviews
I had watched Kickboxer and Ongbak before my first Muay Thai trial class, just in case. As a noob in his mid 30s, I never imagined the amount of hardwork and dedication one would need to learn Muay Thai. In spite of the sweat and tears, I continued to persevere.
Our son has been loving iMA since he started taking classes there in early 2022. The coaches are wonderful: committed, caring and bring out the best in the students in every class. They make sure to get to know each student (and the parents) personally.
My son had the best summer camp experience. The staff is great to connect and communicate with. Very responsive. Great coaches! They also offer very fun field trips. My son said that they keep the kids engaged the entire day, never give them a chance to get boarded. Highly recommend it!
Coach Juliana is amazing! She does an exceptional job every term while my daughter attends the camp. She not only takes care of my daughter but also understands her feelings and shows her so much respect. My daughter always feels great after class, and I have never seen her upset after a day at camp.
New to BJJ? Start at iMA Sports Novi
iMA Sports Novi 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 iMA Sports Novi
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.
More BJJ gyms near Novi
Caique Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Novi
5 ★★★★★ 9 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
Gracie Barra Novi
4.9 ★★★★★ 163 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
Ronaldo Candido Academy Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 130 reviews