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Iowa City Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 111 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Iowa City, Iowa
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
- No-gi no-gi grappling classes — training in a rashguard and shorts, with faster scrambles and a natural bridge to MMA
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule iowacitybjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 319-358-5945
Hours
| Monday | 5–8:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 6–7:30 am, 5–8:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 5–8:30 pm |
| Thursday | 6–7:30 am, 5–8:30 pm |
| Friday | 5–8:30 pm |
| Saturday | 10:30 am–1:30 pm |
| Sunday | 1:30–3:30 pm |
The classes they run
“This isn’t a glorified exercise class; they get into fundamental BJJ very fast and the team does an excellent job of blending age appropriate coaching and building toughness.”
“The coaches are excellent with kids---and both boys and girls work together in grappling, striking, and playing active warm-up and cool down games.”
“Offering both gi and no gi classes, the school offers a great well rounded approach.”
“Offering both gi and no gi classes, the school offers a great well rounded approach.”
“There are opportunities to compete but it is not an intense push for those that don’t wish to do so.”
“High level of instruction that spans both self-defense and sport.”
“As a beginner student, you spend a lot of time just drilling techniques, where other schools just throw you into sparring without any basic knowledge.”
Other martial arts here
“There is also a great instructor specifically for wrestling on Sundays.”
What members say
“There is also a great instructor specifically for wrestling on Sundays.”
“As a beginner student, you spend a lot of time just drilling techniques, where other schools just throw you into sparring without any basic knowledge.”
“The school has a friendly and supportive atmosphere that enables a person to learn without fear of getting hurt or berated.”
“The instructors embrace all, from new to returning students and really go out of their way to make students feel comfortable and confident performing and learning the techniques.”
“She enjoys it and attends three times per week, which is a great way to make sure she gets a lot of exercise.”
“He gets to be active and rough while learning to be disciplined and show respect to others.”
From the reviews
Iowa City BJJ is the gold standard for Jiu-Jitsu training. The owner, Jason prioritizes respect, safety, inclusion, hard work, and hands on learning. Three months of training under him and the rest of the team has been equivalent to six months of training at my previous gym out of state.
Our daughter attends the youth classes here. She enjoys it and attends three times per week, which is a great way to make sure she gets a lot of exercise. The instructors are hands on and love to engage the kids and it shows.
Studied under Jason for over 13 years. High level of instruction that spans both self-defense and sport. Classes are informative, fast paced and fun. 082525: Jason continues to evolve how he is teaching. Offering both gi and no gi classes, the school offers a great well rounded approach.
I highly recommend Iowa city Brazilian jujitsu academy! I started back in November 2024 and wish I would’ve found the art and the Academy sooner in life! Jason is so passionate at what he teaches and puts his heart and everything he does!
New to BJJ? Start at Iowa City Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Iowa City Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu 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.
Your first BJJ class at Iowa City Brazilian 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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