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Olympus Grappling Arts
4.9 ★★★★★ 44 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Batavia, 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 5–12) — 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 olympusgrapplingarts.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (630) 254-7017
Hours
| Monday | 6:30–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 5:30–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 6:30–8 PM |
| Thursday | 5:30–8 PM |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 9:30 AM–12 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“You guys are great and are doing wonderful work with these kids that extends far beyond Jiu Jitsu and that deserves acknowledgment and a huge thank you!”
“Tom knows and identifies my specific needs, and tailors our one-on-one training to the goals, objectives, and challenges of my job.”
“As a beginner the gym is extremely welcoming for first time learners which is usually a barrier to entry.”
Other martial arts here
“Lots of variety in style and training, you get BJJ, Sambo and Judo all in one place.”
What members say
“Tom is a patient and knowledgeable instructor who helps students learn a challenging skillset while maintaining a fun and social environment.”
“I started in February with no prior grappling experience; the classes are paced beautifully, everyone is incredibly friendly and the environment is welcoming & supportive.”
“I started in February with no prior grappling experience; the classes are paced beautifully, everyone is incredibly friendly and the environment is welcoming & supportive.”
“I had a goal to become a competent combatant for the Army, but as I’m leaving, I realize I’m leaving with a family and mentor in addition to some killer techniques.”
“The mats are cleaned regularly and thoroughly.”
From the reviews
I’ve been training here for almost 3 years and hands down this is the best and most friendly BJJ gym I’ve trained at. Everyone is super welcoming and nice. The coaches here are absolute beasts when it comes to grappling as well, from wrestling, judo, upper body subs and even modern leg locks the coaches here know what…
I love this gym, if you're new or experienced to combat sports Olympus is the perfect gym. professor Tom and his staff do an amazing job and breaking down techniques and giving immediate feedback on how you're doing.
Tom, Vaughn, and Phil have been such great coaches. These guys are patient, engaged, and fun all while maintaining a commitment to excellence and discipline. Olympus Grappling Arts has made such a difference for our 6 year old daughter Koltyn (Koko) it has been completely transformative in just 3 months.
I love this gym!! I started in February with no prior grappling experience; the classes are paced beautifully, everyone is incredibly friendly and the environment is welcoming & supportive.
New to BJJ? Start at Olympus Grappling Arts
Olympus Grappling Arts 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 Olympus Grappling Arts
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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