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Kelly O’Keefe Martial Arts

5 ★★★★★ 23 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Washington, Illinois

BJJ gym Kids & teens

Plan your first class

  • Kids & youth classes kids and youth BJJ classes — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Today see hours ·
  • Phone (309) 657-5643

Hours

Monday 5–7 PM
Tuesday 5–7 PM
Wednesday 5–7 PM
Thursday 5–7 PM
Friday Closed
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed

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 Kelly O’Keefe Martial Arts, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 17 mentions

“My son and my husband have been attending classes here for nearly nine years- and they both love it.”

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🛡️ Self-Defense

“This is a fantastic environment where kids can build confidence and learn self-defense, and everyone is made to feel welcome.”

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Other martial arts here

BJJ gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at Kelly O’Keefe Martial Arts — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🎽 Karate 2 mentions

“I have enjoyed watching my grandson take karate at this school they are very good with young kids.”

Other gyms that also teach karate →

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 23 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 2 mentions

“He’s a great instructor, great with the kids, and has been doing this for a long time.”

🧠 builds confidence & discipline 5 mentions

“I walked away with better confidence in my firearm handling skills than I had before and I have been handling firearms for 40 years.”

From the reviews

I have a rare review. I started with Master O'Keefe when I was 10. I had the honor of earning my black belt from him at 16. I'm now 39. I'm truly thankful of what I learned early on from Mr. O'Keefe. It served me well persisting thru the Army, couple engineering degrees, becoming the CEO of my own real estate company..

★★★★★ — Scott, Oct 2020

I attended conceal carry classes here and was very impressed with the thoroughness of the hands on training. I walked away with better confidence in my firearm handling skills than I had before and I have been handling firearms for 40 years. Would recommend this to even the more highly seasoned veterans.

★★★★★ — Kande, Mar 2020

Great instructors. If you are a woman this is the place where you should be. You will be taught with professional instruction and curtailed to your experience.

★★★★★ — Debbie, Sep 2013

Kelly taught a few of my kids for a short time. He’s a great instructor, great with the kids, and has been doing this for a long time. I truly wish I lived closer to his business as I’m looking to get my 5 year old into martial arts. I also took my concealed carry with Mr. O’ Keefe and it was extremely helpful.

★★★★★ — Michael, Jan 2021

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 23 reviews →

Your first BJJ class at Kelly O’Keefe Martial Arts

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 Kelly O’Keefe Martial Arts

8 Sunnyland Plz, Washington, IL61571

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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.