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Living Art Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 58 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Willowbrook, Illinois
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 — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- Private lessons private, one-on-one coaching available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
- 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 livingartbjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (630) 286-9028
Hours
| Monday | 6–7 AM, 4:30–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 11:30 AM–1:30 PM, 4:30–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 6–7 AM, 4:30–8 PM |
| Thursday | 11:30 AM–1:30 PM, 4:30–8 PM |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 9:30 AM–12:30 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“A Family-Friendly Jiu-Jitsu Experience That Kids Love As parents, finding a program that is both professional and welcoming to children can be a challenge(mine are 4&5).”
“Coach Ramses creates a wonderfully welcoming environment for all, whether experienced or brand new students, with an emphasis on fun and safety.”
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What members say
“Ramses is an extremely humble and knowledgeable Jiu-Jitsu instructor who's always looking for the best ways to teach the martial art we all have become addicted to.”
“A Family-Friendly Jiu-Jitsu Experience That Kids Love As parents, finding a program that is both professional and welcoming to children can be a challenge(mine are 4&5).”
“A Family-Friendly Jiu-Jitsu Experience That Kids Love As parents, finding a program that is both professional and welcoming to children can be a challenge(mine are 4&5).”
“The classes are well-structured, focusing on technique, drilling, and live rolling, which has dramatically improved my kids skills and confidence on the mat.”
“A Family-Friendly Jiu-Jitsu Experience That Kids Love As parents, finding a program that is both professional and welcoming to children can be a challenge(mine are 4&5).”
“Coach Ramses comes to the competitions and cheers the kids on.”
From the reviews
I have visited Living Art BJJ a couple times when I was in town and had a great experience training there. Prof. Ramses is one of the most knowledgeable and skilled Jiujitsu teachers and practitioners in Illinois. The facility is clean and safe. There is lots of mat space to train.
Ramses and Jim are very passionate about Jiu Jitsu and very good instructors. They are very open and welcoming to everyone from the complete beginner to advanced black belts. The atmosphere is very comfortable and everyone who trains here feels like family. I highly recommend Living Art Jiu Jitsu!
Awesome place to train! Coach Rams is awesome and the school has a great culture that is second to none. If you’ve been looking to get into Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, look no further! This is the place to be! 10/10 recommend for all ages!
I came here to train from out of state on a work trip so I could stay sharp in grappling . I’ve crossed trained many places in the past but living arts has got to be one of my favorite places . Had the privilege of training under coach Ramses and It was quite the experience for me .
New to BJJ? Start at Living Art Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Living Art 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 Living Art 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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