HomeIllinoisMundelein › Lake County Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Lake County Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

4.9 ★★★★★ 123 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Mundelein, Illinois

BJJ gym Beginners welcome Kids & teens No-gi Competition team

Plan your first class

  • 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
  • Open mat open-mat rolling sessions for members to practice live — always optional and at your own pace
  • Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule lakecountybjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (847) 495-2557

Hours

Monday 9 AM–9 PM
Tuesday 9 AM–9 PM
Wednesday 9 AM–9 PM
Thursday 9 AM–9 PM
Friday 9 AM–9 PM
Saturday 9 AM–3 PM
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 Lake County Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 19 mentions

“I can think of no better endorsement than I have brought my son to train here also and he is coming up on his second year.”

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🩳 No-Gi

“Very welcoming environment I did the 6:15 No Gi class and had a blast.”

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🥋 Gi

“Very welcoming environment I did the 6:15 No Gi class and had a blast.”

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🏆 Competition Team 10 mentions

“They have built a culture here that is second to none, and the training caters to everybody, whether you want to compete or just pick up a hobby.”

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🔓 Open Mat 2 mentions

“People who come to train at the open mat from other gyms regularly comment on how great the environment is and how skilled the students are.”

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🛡️ Self-Defense 4 mentions

“Everyone helps each other to be their best whether it is to become better at jiujitsu, self-defense, or general fitness.”

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🌱 Beginners 4 mentions

“Safety is also a huge priority in their facility which is very important for beginners such as myself and son!”

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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 Lake County Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🤼 Judo 3 mentions

“Coach Nefeli (a former Judo Olympic athlete) is in charge of the kids classes and also teaches specialized judo courses.”

Other gyms that also teach judo →

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 123 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 5 mentions

“The head of the kids programs, Coach Nefeli, is great with the kids, negotiating balance between discipline and fun.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 9 mentions

“Carlos and Patty have created a welcoming culture; one that can be seen and felt across all the coaches, classes and supportive training partners.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 21 mentions

“Carlos and Patty have created a welcoming culture; one that can be seen and felt across all the coaches, classes and supportive training partners.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 7 mentions

“They make sure that you get the correct technique down and that you are understanding when to use each technique.”

🧒 strong kids program 3 mentions

“The head of the kids programs, Coach Nefeli, is great with the kids, negotiating balance between discipline and fun.”

active competition team 12 mentions

“They have built a culture here that is second to none, and the training caters to everybody, whether you want to compete or just pick up a hobby.”

From the reviews

The coaches keep our kids on BJJ point with their strict but respectful style of teaching and discipline. Our son who has ADHD and often struggles with attention and impulsively has obtained outstanding coaching and support!

★★★★★ — Helen, Apr 2020

I have been consistently training here for over 2 years now and I can honestly say this is a fantastic place. From top to bottom. Facilities, staff, coaches, training partners etc. I can think of no better endorsement than I have brought my son to train here also and he is coming up on his second year.

★★★★★ — Mark, Sep 2024

We're really happy with how much our daughter has learned, and the supportive and structured environment she's been taught in. Coaches Carlos and Patti are wonderful, and we love that they organize a lot of additional activities to help everyone get to know one another outside of class.

★★★★★ — Liz, Oct 2018

We have been going to this school since September and I couldn't be more pleased with the instructors and level of professionalism. The owners Coach Patty and Coach Carlos are both highly experienced competitors and diligent teachers.

★★★★★ — Adrien, Mar 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 123 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Lake County Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Lake County Brazilian 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 Lake County 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.

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 Lake County Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

108 Terrace Dr, Mundelein, IL60060

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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.