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Molinaro Jiu Jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 103 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Chicago, Illinois
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
- 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 molinarojiujitsu.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 773-800-6686
Hours
| Monday | 10 am–9 pm |
| Tuesday | 10 am–9 pm |
| Wednesday | 10 am–9 pm |
| Thursday | 10 am–9 pm |
| Friday | 10 am–9 pm |
| Saturday | 9:30 am–12 pm |
| Sunday | 10 am–12 pm |
The classes they run
“Trauma from my childhood made me reluctant to step into the Molinaro Academy as I knew I would be confronted by my past.”
“As a woman in BJJ, I really appreciate how welcoming, safe, and supportive the atmosphere is.”
“There are hobbyists and competitors from beginner to expert level to give you knowledge and/or tough rounds depending on what you’re looking to get out of your training.”
“There are hobbyists and competitors from beginner to expert level to give you knowledge and/or tough rounds depending on what you’re looking to get out of your training.”
What members say
“The best instructors, the coolest classmates, and top tier environment.”
“Whether you are a complete beginner or an experienced practitioner, this academy offers the right balance of high-level training, structure, and a welcoming atmosphere.”
“Whether you are a complete beginner or an experienced practitioner, this academy offers the right balance of high-level training, structure, and a welcoming atmosphere.”
“They pay attention to everyone while drilling and will correct even the smallest details to make sure you truly understand the technique and improve the right way.”
“The coaches are incredibly patient, kind, and truly great with kids.”
“There are hobbyists and competitors from beginner to expert level to give you knowledge and/or tough rounds depending on what you’re looking to get out of your training.”
From the reviews
Molinaro Academy is a welcoming, friendly, clean facility with a safe and respectful environment. Brazilian world Jiu-Jitsu champion professor, Alex, is fully vested in his students whether you are a beginner or aspire to compete at world class level.
We’ve had an amazing experience with Molinaro Jiu-Jitsu. My son started when he was just 3 years old, and now he’s about to turn 5. We are so happy we found this place. The coaches are incredibly patient, kind, and truly great with kids.
Fantastic gym with a perfect location, skilled instructors, and a beautiful mat area. As a woman in BJJ, I really appreciate how welcoming, safe, and supportive the atmosphere is. The coaching is top-level and the community is even better. Highly recommend!
Prof. Alex and Prof. Mike are two of the nicest and welcoming black belts I’ve met. I had the pleasure of dropping in for a couple of days while visiting my brother who trains there. They took me in with open arms, shared their knowledge and at the end it was like I knew them for years.
New to BJJ? Start at Molinaro Jiu Jitsu
Molinaro 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 Molinaro 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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