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Serafin Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 32 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Evanston, Illinois
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
- Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
- 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 serafinjiujitsu.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (224) 260-1472
Hours
| Monday | 4–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 11 AM–8:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 3:30–9:30 PM |
| Thursday | 11 AM–8 PM |
| Friday | 3–8 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM–1 PM |
| Sunday | 9:30 AM–1 PM |
The classes they run
“Most of the guys in this gym are competitors which makes the level of jiu jitsu in this place is very high.”
“Professor Jeff Serafin is the best in the business—his teaching style is clear, easy to understand, and effective for all levels.”
Other martial arts here
“If you are looking for a great MMA school with excellent brazilian jiu jitsu, there is no better place in the North Shore of Chicago.”
What members say
“Professor Jeff Serafin is the best in the business—his teaching style is clear, easy to understand, and effective for all levels.”
“Professor Jeff Serafin is the best in the business—his teaching style is clear, easy to understand, and effective for all levels.”
“Besides Jeff you will find a great group of students who are always friendly and helpful, on the mat as well as off the mat.”
“Every move is explained and broken down to the finest detail, and he's always ready to help if you have trouble understanding.”
“Most of the guys in this gym are competitors which makes the level of jiu jitsu in this place is very high.”
“There were also two other women there which was awesome to see.”
From the reviews
I took an hour long train ride up to Evanston just to drop-in to the 6:30am class. This is by far the most beautiful BJJ school/gym I’ve ever been to. It is in a new shared space called Gym 1801. The gym is very modern and has locker rooms with all the amenities (towels, hair dryers, soap/shampoo/conditioner, etc.
The absolute best instructor and coach I have worked with in my nearly 15 year career in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu!!! Jeff Serafin has an IMPRESSIVE wealth of knowledge of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, MMA, and all things combat sports related.
Fantastic coach, very affordable classes, and at many different times. Open 7 days a week. Everyone there are very welcoming people. I would recommend this place to everyone, no matter what size or age you are Edit: I’ve been to a few other gyms while finding where I wanted to live and set roots.
Cant begin to say how happy I am I began training BJJ, and very fortunate to learn from someone as knowledgeable as Jeff. Every move is explained and broken down to the finest detail, and he's always ready to help if you have trouble understanding.
New to BJJ? Start at Serafin Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Serafin 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 Serafin 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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