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Proving Grounds Jiu Jitsu & MMA
5 ★★★★★ 87 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Shelby Township, Michigan
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
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule provinggroundsjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 586-894-8640
Hours
| Monday | 12–1 pm, 4:30–9 pm |
| Tuesday | 12–2 pm, 4:30–9 pm |
| Wednesday | 4–9 pm |
| Thursday | 12–2 pm, 4:30–9 pm |
| Friday | 12–2 pm, 4:30–9 pm |
| Saturday | 10 am–1 pm |
| Sunday | 10 am–1 pm |
The classes they run
“Highly recommend for anyone interested in getting their kids, or even themselves into martial arts!”
“Whether you want to get into shape, shed a few pounds, or you want to train to be a competitor (which is what my son does), this is definitely the place you want to be!”
“You will find training here a great experience whether you are a beginner trying to have fun or if you are serious about competing professionally.”
Other martial arts here
“The classes they provided, are reasonably priced & the coaches of Muay Thai, MMA, and Jiu-Jitsu care about your training and They are very knowledgeable.”
“The classes they provided, are reasonably priced & the coaches of Muay Thai, MMA, and Jiu-Jitsu care about your training and They are very knowledgeable.”
“They offer wrestling, Jiu jitsu, Muay Thai, and MMA for all skill levels and for all ages.”
What members say
“You will find training here a great experience whether you are a beginner trying to have fun or if you are serious about competing professionally.”
“Proving Grounds has an excellent line up of instructors as well as a great schedule that makes classes available to even the busiest individual or family.”
“Whether you want to get into shape, shed a few pounds, or you want to train to be a competitor (which is what my son does), this is definitely the place you want to be!”
“I've tried other gyms before, but the experience doesn't match this one; this gym takes the cake by far 10/10 for the environment, training, and cleanliness”
“The classes they provided, are reasonably priced & the coaches of Muay Thai, MMA, and Jiu-Jitsu care about your training and They are very knowledgeable.”
“It didn’t take long to see the vast amount of instructors that they have available 7 days a week, that are passionate about the discipline they teaching.”
From the reviews
From the top down, you will not find a more professional gym. Courteous owners, staff and instructors help to create an unparalleled learning experience for martial artists of all ages and levels. The gym is clean! You can tell the owners care about their business.
Awesome environment to learn jiu jitsu, whether you want to compete or just have fun. Highly skilled coaching staff. Everyone there is very welcoming and makes you feel at home. Also, you won't find a better gym for striking in Michigan.
We have been with Proving Grounds since the first day they opened. They have great programs for not only kids but also for adults like MMA Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai. All the coaches and staff are remarkable. We would recommend this this place to anyone.
My favorite place to train. Everyone is incredibly welcoming while also providing challenging rolls for every belt level. All the professors are down to earth and excited to help you get better and have fun.
New to BJJ? Start at Proving Grounds Jiu Jitsu & MMA
Proving Grounds Jiu Jitsu & MMA 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 Proving Grounds Jiu Jitsu & MMA
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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