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Rivers Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 100 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Lawrence, Kansas
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
- Women's classes dedicated women's BJJ classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
- 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 riversjiujitsu.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (785) 418-0092
Hours
| Monday | 10–11:30 AM, 5:30–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 6–7 AM, 5:30–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 10–11:30 AM, 5:30–8 PM |
| Thursday | 6–7 AM, 10–11:30 AM, 5:30–8 PM |
| Friday | 10–11:30 AM, 5–8 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM–1 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“Aside from some high school wrestling, I had minimal knowledge of what I was getting myself into.”
“During the class, the instructors allow you to focus in on all of the aspects pertaining to the art of Jiu-Jitsu: competition, self-defense, and most importantly self-improvement.”
“I had no experience with martial arts outside of childhood karate so coming into Rivers BJJ I didn't know what I was getting myself into.”
“Balancing a full time job and kids, it’s hard to find time that meets my schedule to train at a gym.”
Other martial arts here
“Love also that Rivers offers kicking boxing, judo and submission wrestling to make you a more well rounded grappler.”
“Being myself a Judo instructor (and having a Dojo in my hometown in Italy) I know how all of these characteristics are fundamental to creating a healthy and professional school.”
“The advanced students also have their individual interests which they work to become expert in, such as different guard games, wrestling or judo.”
“I had no experience with martial arts outside of childhood karate so coming into Rivers BJJ I didn't know what I was getting myself into.”
What members say
“The instructor’s are friendly and knowledgeable and there is no shortage of high level practitioners to learn from and train with.”
“I had no experience with martial arts outside of childhood karate so coming into Rivers BJJ I didn't know what I was getting myself into.”
“Rivers Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is one of the most professional and friendly environments I've been ever exposed to in my (more than twenty-years) experience with martial arts.”
“He has created a learning environment that allows students to not only learn techniques but to explore the deeper aspects of this great art.”
“During the class, the instructors allow you to focus in on all of the aspects pertaining to the art of Jiu-Jitsu: competition, self-defense, and most importantly self-improvement.”
From the reviews
Rivers Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is one of the most professional and friendly environments I've been ever exposed to in my (more than twenty-years) experience with martial arts. I moved to Lawrence 2 years ago from Italy for a PhD position at KU bringing my Gi with me and looking for a place to train.
I attended my first class at Rivers with no previous BJJ experience. Aside from some high school wrestling, I had minimal knowledge of what I was getting myself into. Naturally, I was a little nervous to attend my first class!
I had no experience with martial arts outside of childhood karate so coming into Rivers BJJ I didn't know what I was getting myself into. EVERYONE I spoke with was warm and welcoming, knowledgeable, friendly, and seem to genuinely care that every person who walks in has a good time.
I travel and have the opportunity to visit numerous BJJ gyms and experience countless instructors. As a black belt I have seen the good and sadly I have seen the bad. Professor Rivers is absolutely one of the best.
New to BJJ? Start at Rivers Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Rivers Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 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 Rivers Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
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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