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Pura Vida BJJ & MMA

4.9 ★★★★★ 89 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

BJJ gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens

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
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule puravidabjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 414-885-0003

Hours

Monday 12–1 pm, 4–8 pm
Tuesday 4–8 pm
Wednesday 12–1 pm, 4–8 pm
Thursday 4–8 pm
Friday 12–1 pm, 5:30–7 pm
Saturday 10 am–12 pm
Sunday Closed

Hours shift for holidays, seminars, and open-gym times — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

BJJ classes on the schedule at Pura Vida BJJ & MMA, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 8 mentions

“They have everything you could want: BJJ, MMA, kickboxing, wrestling, fitness center, a kids program, and leveled classes for both beginners and advanced practitioners.”

All gyms that run kids bjj →

🛡️ Self-Defense

“If you’re serious about competing or learning self defense this is you want to be.”

All gyms that run self-defense →

🌱 Beginners 3 mentions

“They have everything you could want: BJJ, MMA, kickboxing, wrestling, fitness center, a kids program, and leveled classes for both beginners and advanced practitioners.”

All gyms that run beginners →

Other martial arts here

BJJ gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at Pura Vida BJJ & MMA — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🏟️ MMA 12 mentions

“They have everything you could want: BJJ, MMA, kickboxing, wrestling, fitness center, a kids program, and leveled classes for both beginners and advanced practitioners.”

Other gyms that also teach mma →

🥊 Boxing 2 mentions

Other gyms that also teach boxing →

🦵 Kickboxing 6 mentions

“They have everything you could want: BJJ, MMA, kickboxing, wrestling, fitness center, a kids program, and leveled classes for both beginners and advanced practitioners.”

Other gyms that also teach kickboxing →

🤸 Wrestling 2 mentions

“They have everything you could want: BJJ, MMA, kickboxing, wrestling, fitness center, a kids program, and leveled classes for both beginners and advanced practitioners.”

Other gyms that also teach wrestling →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the gym's own info — they show what members have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want MMA, muay thai, or wrestling alongside your BJJ, confirm the current schedule with the gym.

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 89 Google reviews — in their own words.

🌱 welcoming to beginners 8 mentions

“They have everything you could want: BJJ, MMA, kickboxing, wrestling, fitness center, a kids program, and leveled classes for both beginners and advanced practitioners.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 14 mentions

“Amazing gym would highly recommend, coming here in late august having previously trained at other gyms the coaches were extremely welcoming, and professional.”

great workout & conditioning 2 mentions

“I’ve seen the facility upgrade, the coaches continue to have a growth mindset, and members of all ability levels come together just to sweat!”

🧼 clean, well-kept mats 3 mentions

“The new gym is huge, very clean and has a great setup.”

🧠 builds confidence & discipline 10 mentions

“I enrolled my granddaughter in Pura Vida 4 months ago and she has excelled in her confidence, leadership, following instructions, and teamwork.”

From the reviews

Amazing gym all around. They have everything you could want: BJJ, MMA, kickboxing, wrestling, fitness center, a kids program, and leveled classes for both beginners and advanced practitioners.

★★★★★ — Courtnie, Jul 2023

A Place I’ve called come for the last 5 years! This is where my journey began as a martial artist. I’ve seen the facility upgrade, the coaches continue to have a growth mindset, and members of all ability levels come together just to sweat!

★★★★★ — Linzy, Jun 2025

Whether you are just interested in working out, building confidence, learning striking (boxing, kick boxing), grappling(wrestling, jujitsu), or taking up MMA, whether you or looking for your children or for yourself, Pura Vida is the place to be…world class instruction, great teammates, I love my Pura Vida family.

★★★★★ — Matt, Nov 2025

Amazing gym would highly recommend, coming here in late august having previously trained at other gyms the coaches were extremely welcoming, and professional. Very excited to continue to grow here and start my mma career!

★★★★★ — Nikhil, Nov 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 89 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Pura Vida BJJ & MMA

Pura Vida BJJ & 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.

See their beginner class info

Your first BJJ class at Pura Vida BJJ & 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.

BJJ is a contact sport. Ease in, tap early and often, listen to your coaches, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find Pura Vida BJJ & MMA

4125 N Richards St, Milwaukee, WI53212

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this gym? Claim your listing — it's free.