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Renzo Gracie Chicago
4.9 ★★★★★ 101 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Chicago, Illinois
Part of Renzo Gracie Academy
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
- No-gi no-gi grappling classes — training in a rashguard and shorts, with faster scrambles and a natural bridge to MMA
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule renzograciechicago.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (312) 877-4711
Hours
| Monday | 6:30 AM–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 6:30 AM–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 6:30 AM–9 PM |
| Thursday | 6:30 AM–7 PM |
| Friday | 5–7 PM |
| Saturday | 11 AM–12 PM |
| Sunday | 11 AM–12 PM |
The classes they run
“I've gained confidence, improved my fitness, and learned practical self-defense skills while being part of an amazing community.”
“Whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced practitioner, the coaches take the time to help you improve and reach your goals.”
Other martial arts here
“I grew up wrestling and these guys truly take care of the mats and are health conscientious.”
What members say
“The professors were knowledgeable and welcoming, and everyone in the class was friendly and made me feel right at home.”
“The professors were knowledgeable and welcoming, and everyone in the class was friendly and made me feel right at home.”
“Techniques are vast and the atmosphere and individual attention are top notch.”
“If you love great jiu jitsu Instruction and a friendly environment, then drop into Renzo Gracie Chicago.”
“The facility is clean, the training partners are friendly and skilled, and every session challenges you to become better both on and off the mats.”
“I've gained confidence, improved my fitness, and learned practical self-defense skills while being part of an amazing community.”
From the reviews
If you love great jiu jitsu Instruction and a friendly environment, then drop into Renzo Gracie Chicago. Frankie and his team were welcoming and the class structure was edifying. This will be my home every time I visit Chicago!
Great place to learn! I enrolled my 7 year old son a couple of weeks ago. Crystal (staff) was welcoming and very helpful in assisting me with enrolling. If you're looking to accomplish something special, this place has you covered. The Professor (Mr.
Top notch instruction when I was here. Uflacker and his professors have a great system and teach it well. Good people and no intimidation here. Wish I was still in the area to continue my training. This review was long overdue but they are above 5 stars for sure. Come here for amazing bjj training!
Professor Oscar Professor Doug welcomed us with kindness. Coach Crystal helped us sign up. This is a great place to drop in and learn Jiu Jitsu. With Gratitude and a salute to my hero Master Renzo Gracie 🫡🤗🥇💯🇺🇸❤️🩹🙏🏻🥰
New to BJJ? Start at Renzo Gracie Chicago
Renzo Gracie Chicago 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 Renzo Gracie Chicago
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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