Home › Missouri › Springfield › Odyssey Jiu Jitsu
Odyssey Jiu Jitsu
4.9 ★★★★★ 30 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Springfield, Missouri
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
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule odysseyspringfield.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 417-501-5023
Hours
| Monday | 6–7 am, 12–1 pm, 6–7 pm |
| Tuesday | 12–1 pm, 6–7 pm |
| Wednesday | 6–7 am, 12–1 pm, 6–7 pm |
| Thursday | 6–7 am, 12–1 pm, 6–7 pm |
| Friday | 6–7 am, 12–1 pm |
| Saturday | 9–11 am |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“Competing at tournaments is not a big focus at this school, but some members do compete and the competition coach, Brett, is an excellent instructor as well.”
“Steve is really good at breaking down techniques in a way that makes the martial art accessible to beginners, yet his depth of knowledge will challenge even experienced grapplers.”
“My husband got our daughter to join the kids class and she absolutely loves it.”
Other martial arts here
“The striking class is also a great bonus if you’re looking to incorporate kickboxing into your training.”
What members say
“Competing at tournaments is not a big focus at this school, but some members do compete and the competition coach, Brett, is an excellent instructor as well.”
“Steve is really good at breaking down techniques in a way that makes the martial art accessible to beginners, yet his depth of knowledge will challenge even experienced grapplers.”
“Super inviting, beginner friendly, great and clean training space and bathroom, coaches and other students were super inviting and super helpful.”
“Steve is really good at breaking down techniques in a way that makes the martial art accessible to beginners, yet his depth of knowledge will challenge even experienced grapplers.”
“Competing at tournaments is not a big focus at this school, but some members do compete and the competition coach, Brett, is an excellent instructor as well.”
“Super inviting, beginner friendly, great and clean training space and bathroom, coaches and other students were super inviting and super helpful.”
From the reviews
Odyssey Jiu Jitsu in Springfield, MO is absolutely top-notch. The coaches are knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely invested in helping every student improve—whether you’re brand new or have years of experience. The environment is welcoming, clean, and energetic, with a strong focus on technique, safety, and community.
I have trained Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Steve Haydock since 2019. Having also visited many other BJJ gyms while traveling, I can confidently say the instruction here is second to none.
This is the most welcoming jiujitsu gym I’ve ever stepped foot in! The coaches are so patient, helpful and kind. Not to mention the people I have met are so nice and helpful as well.
Steve's Jiu Jitsu instruction is top notch. We are very fortunate to have this kind of instruction in our area. Training partners are fantastic. Great community. If you stick with it you will gain confidence and be a part of one of the coolest communities around!
New to BJJ? Start at Odyssey Jiu Jitsu
Odyssey 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 Odyssey 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.
More BJJ gyms near Springfield
Guardians BJJ & Martial Arts
4.8 ★★★★★ 20 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
Renzo Gracie Springfield
5 ★★★★★ 6 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
Steve Haydock Jiu Jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 66 reviews