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Royce Gracie Jiu Jitsu Academy
5 ★★★★★ 48 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Shakopee, Minnesota
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
- Women's classes dedicated women's BJJ classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
- Private lessons private, one-on-one coaching available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule undergroundjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 952-388-8737
Hours
| Monday | 10 am–9 pm |
| Tuesday | 10 am–9 pm |
| Wednesday | 10 am–9 pm |
| Thursday | 10 am–9 pm |
| Friday | 10 am–9 pm |
| Saturday | 10 am–9 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“My son and I have been training at Underground for over two and a half years now; we both enjoy it a lot and have a great time in class.”
“Winona offers women’s private lessons, women’s seminars, and women’s only classes.”
“Winona offers women’s private lessons, women’s seminars, and women’s only classes.”
“Love that they offer a variety of training and seminars including for women’s self defense.”
“The training environment is incredibly welcoming and supportive, making it perfect for beginners and advanced practitioners.”
Other martial arts here
“There is BJJ, Kickboxing, fitness classes & personal trainers for your overall fitness & health.”
What members say
“Easy to start, friendly environment, great instruction.”
“The training environment is incredibly welcoming and supportive, making it perfect for beginners and advanced practitioners.”
“They have learned a lot more than just athletics here, the coaches teaches them about everyday situations, to have respect for your self, parents, and family.”
“So far, I’ve enjoyed the community aspect of training with one another, as well as, learning the Royce Gracie Jiu Jitsu fundamentals by focusing on technique.”
“My son has grown so confident and opened up more socially over the last few years and I feel that training here has really helped with that.”
“So far, I’ve enjoyed the community aspect of training with one another, as well as, learning the Royce Gracie Jiu Jitsu fundamentals by focusing on technique.”
From the reviews
Went to my second class tonight. Easy to start, friendly environment, great instruction. Not at all intimating. Update: What a difference these classes have made to my life! I have been regularly attending since my original review and I won't be stopping anytime soon. John is an amazing instructor and person.
My son loves his time at Jiu Jitsu! As parents we appreciate that they teach lessons beyond athletics - being a good person, being healthy, and being a good student. The coaches are super patient and great with kids! The classes are balanced well between content/learning and fun games so the kids don’t lose interest.
If you or your family are interested in learning Jiu Jitsu, or women’s self defense training definitely check out Underground Jiu Jitsu Academy/Royce Gracie Jiu Jitsu, located in downtown Shakopee. Winona offers women’s private lessons, women’s seminars, and women’s only classes.
I started my Jiu Jitsu journey four lessons ago and can’t wait to continue. John does a great job of creating a safe and fun environment to learn in. So far, I’ve enjoyed the community aspect of training with one another, as well as, learning the Royce Gracie Jiu Jitsu fundamentals by focusing on technique.
New to BJJ? Start at Royce Gracie Jiu Jitsu Academy
Royce Gracie Jiu Jitsu Academy 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 Royce Gracie Jiu Jitsu Academy
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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