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North Side Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
4.9 ★★★★★ 61 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
- 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 (ages 5–13) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule northsidebjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (773) 654-3161
Hours
| Monday | 10:30 AM–12:30 PM, 4–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 4–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 10:30 AM–12:30 PM, 4–9 PM |
| Thursday | 4–9 PM |
| Friday | 10:30 AM–12:30 PM, 5:30–7:30 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM–1 PM |
| Sunday | 9 AM–12 PM |
The classes they run
“They are instilling discipline in my son and teaching him the necessary skills so that he is able to defend himself, all while getting a killer workout!”
“I was at a tournament where he lost his voice because he was shouting from 8am until 10pm for his students.”
“I would recommend Northside to anyone the value you get from attending classes is top notch especially when it comes down to survival and self defense.”
Other martial arts here
What members say
“Coach Branko is an excellent coach along with each and every other BJJ coach they have.”
“I’m enrolled in his adult program and I’ve always felt welcome and respected.”
“I am still training and feel more accomplished, energized, focused, humbled, lighter just to name a few things I am feeling since training at Northside BJJ.”
“All of my children are enrolled in his kids program, and I’ve watched each of them become more confident and disciplined in all aspects of their lives.”
“Branko is at every local competition cornering for his team.”
“I am still training and feel more accomplished, energized, focused, humbled, lighter just to name a few things I am feeling since training at Northside BJJ.”
From the reviews
Professor Branko’s programs are world class. I’m enrolled in his adult program and I’ve always felt welcome and respected. All of my children are enrolled in his kids program, and I’ve watched each of them become more confident and disciplined in all aspects of their lives.
Northside BJJ is the place to train in Chicago if you want to get into the sport. Coach Branko Milosevic and his staff are knowledgeable, friendly, and always push students to be the best they can be.
Many thanks to Branko, the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu instructor, for conducting these classes, especially for kids. Ever since our son started attending the classes his confidence grew and now he's much more comfortable around the other kids in the neighborhood and most importantly around older and bigger kids in school.
If you’re looking to start your journey in the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. North Side is the place to go, when I first started here I was nervous. But Professor Branko and the staff are very knowledgeable and make you feel welcomed.
New to BJJ? Start at North Side Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
North Side 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.
Your first BJJ class at North Side 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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