HomeIllinoisEffingham › Risen Jiu-Jitsu - Effingham, IL

Risen Jiu-Jitsu - Effingham, IL

5 ★★★★★ 42 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Effingham, Illinois

BJJ gym Beginners welcome Kids & teens Competition team

Plan your first class

  • 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 risenajjeffingham.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (217) 480-4388

Hours

Monday 4–9 PM
Tuesday 6–9 PM
Wednesday 5–8 PM
Thursday 5:30–9 PM
Friday Closed
Saturday Closed
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 Risen Jiu-Jitsu - Effingham, IL, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 5 mentions

“Whether you're new to juijitsu or a veteran of the game you will fit into this very inviting room for kids and adults !”

All gyms that run kids bjj →

🌱 Beginners 3 mentions

“His instruction is technical yet easy to follow, making it accessible for all skill levels.”

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 Risen Jiu-Jitsu - Effingham, IL — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

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 42 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 6 mentions

“Professor Chad Hawkins is definitely the best if you want to train real Jiu-jitsu!”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 10 mentions

“The thing that's great about Chad is that he cares as much about people on their first day of training as much as his competition students.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 12 mentions

“The gym itself is spotless, and the welcoming atmosphere makes you feel like part of the family immediately.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 4 mentions

“Inspires hard work ethic, and confidence; all while being taught great technique by talented coaches.”

active competition team 2 mentions

“In this time he has taken me from a decent competition athlete with local succes and turned me I to a pan am champion.”

🧼 clean, well-kept mats 5 mentions

“The gym itself is spotless, and the welcoming atmosphere makes you feel like part of the family immediately.”

From the reviews

You won’t find a better training environment than this. The instructors and fellow practitioners consistently challenge and support you, fostering growth and improvement. This community is dedicated to helping everyone achieve their best and continually grow, getting better with every single class.

★★★★★ — Andrew, Jan 2025

My kids and I have been training with Chad across the Terre Haute and Effingham locations for almost 6 years. He offers world class instruction and a clean environment to learn in. My children have grown up in this environment moving from kids class to adult classes.

★★★★★ — Nick, Aug 2024

I have been under Chad for over a year now. In this time he has taken me from a decent competition athlete with local succes and turned me I to a pan am champion. The thing that's great about Chad is that he cares as much about people on their first day of training as much as his competition students.

★★★★★ — Kevin, Mar 2023

I have been training there for over 4 years. Chad is one of the best paractioners in the world. The group there is family friendly, world class athletes. If you're looking to get in shape, Lose weight, Become a world champion or just be part of something amazing, check them out.

★★★★★ — Mike, May 2020

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 42 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Risen Jiu-Jitsu - Effingham, IL

Risen Jiu-Jitsu - Effingham, IL 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.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first BJJ class at Risen Jiu-Jitsu - Effingham, IL

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 Risen Jiu-Jitsu - Effingham, IL

209 N 4th St, Effingham, IL62401

Get directions

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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.