Home › Illinois › Chicago › Movimento Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Fitness
Movimento Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Fitness
4.8 ★★★★★ 32 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Chicago, 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
- 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 movimentobjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (773) 474-2058
Hours
| Monday | 5:45–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 4:30–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 4:30–9 PM |
| Thursday | 6:30–8 PM |
| Friday | 4:30–5:15 PM |
| Saturday | 10–11 AM |
| Sunday | 11 AM–2:30 PM |
The classes they run
“I am incredibly grateful to all the amazing instructors who dedicated their time to the children’s class, but especially to Israel for his genuine commitment.”
“They offer a wide variety of classes, both gi and no-gi, and it’s a safe place for everyone to learn and grow.”
“They offer a wide variety of classes, both gi and no-gi, and it’s a safe place for everyone to learn and grow.”
“The professor (Izzy) is a black belt, IBJJF champion.”
“I had never imagined it would be something I would be interested in, but as someone who was very interested in self-defense, it seemed like something I should definitely try.”
“Herc, the kickboxing instructor was very patient with me as a beginner, and also a great motivator; I had never pushed myself as hard as I did in kickboxing class.”
Other martial arts here
“The best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu / Muy Thai kickboxing gym in Chicago.”
“Once my son ages out of the kid classes he will move on to the adult classes and kick boxing will also be an option for him.”
“Once my son ages out of the kid classes he will move on to the adult classes and kick boxing will also be an option for him.”
What members say
“I am incredibly grateful to all the amazing instructors who dedicated their time to the children’s class, but especially to Israel for his genuine commitment.”
“The entire team is very welcoming from the very first time stepping into the gym.”
“The owner and trainer, Israel (Iszy) is probably one of the hardest working instructors in the industry, yet he's the nicest and most humble guy ever.”
“I highly recommend that you stop in to see what Movimento BJJ is all about if you're interested in getting a great workout in while learning self-defense!”
“The professor (Izzy) is a black belt, IBJJF champion.”
“The owner is one of the few guys in the area that started under Master Carlson Gracie Sr when Jiu Jitsu was brought to the Chicago area in the early 2000's.”
From the reviews
Movimento BJJ is a really fantastic school that offers some of the best BJJ training you can find in Chicago. Israel Reyes is a phenomenal jiu-jitsu competitor and an even better instructor: one of those people with a real gift for coaching, who can consistently get you to push yourself beyond what you thought were…
My son is 11 years old and has been attending Movimento gym for 2 going on 3 years now. From the start we were welcomed and treated like family. My son has became stronger mentally and physically. He has learned and grown so much that it is beyond words to explain.
I began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with Israel when I was just 7 years old. Israel took a remarkable chance on me, as this sport was part of my therapy for ADHD and anxiety disorder. To my surprise, I found myself deeply engaged in BJJ, despite my introverted nature.
The best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu / Muy Thai kickboxing gym in Chicago. Very friendly, great trainers (Izzy and Herc) and an awesome atmosphere. You will have to work hard! I have been going there for 2.5 years and I hope to keep going for a long time to come.
New to BJJ? Start at Movimento Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Fitness
Movimento Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Fitness 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 Movimento Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Fitness
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.
More BJJ gyms near Chicago
Vianna Brothers Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy
4.9 ★★★★★ 102 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
Renzo Gracie Chicago
4.9 ★★★★★ 101 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
Supreme JIU JITSU Chicago Idriz Redzovic
5 ★★★★★ 184 reviews