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Shogun Jiu Jitsu Academy
5 ★★★★★ 35 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Denver, Colorado
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
- 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 shogunjj.co — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 720-917-9829
Hours
| Monday | 9 am–5 pm |
| Tuesday | 9 am–5 pm |
| Wednesday | 9 am–5 pm |
| Thursday | 9 am–5 pm |
| Friday | 9 am–2 pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“In partnership with Marcelo Garcia and his curriculum, this approach creates a foundational approach for developing a complete BJJ player.”
“Whether you’re an adult new-comer, already trained, or have a kid than you want to get started, I couldn’t recommend this gym enough.”
“If you want a gym that cares about you and your success in jiu jitsu whether you are a hobbyist or looking to compete at a high level, SHOGUN is the gym you need to be training at.”
“I’m a beginner to Jiu Jitsu and was intimidated to get started, the staff and the trainers here have made me feel incredibly welcome and have got me going in the right direction.”
Other martial arts here
“The facility is very clean and the mats are great for judo throws with wrestling takedowns!”
“The facility is very clean and the mats are great for judo throws with wrestling takedowns!”
What members say
“I have been friends and training partners with Manny, the owner of Shogun, for years and I can honestly say he’s one of the best coaches out there.”
“I’m a beginner to Jiu Jitsu and was intimidated to get started, the staff and the trainers here have made me feel incredibly welcome and have got me going in the right direction.”
“Not only is he a high level instructor with a very detailed oriented game, but he's also very welcoming and personable to Everton visitor he's met.”
“Not only is he a high level instructor with a very detailed oriented game, but he's also very welcoming and personable to Everton visitor he's met.”
“Marcelo Garcia affiliation with incredible class structure and curriculum.”
“The facility is very clean and the mats are great for judo throws with wrestling takedowns!”
From the reviews
I have been friends and training partners with Manny, the owner of Shogun, for years and I can honestly say he’s one of the best coaches out there. His technique is top-tier, and he has a gift for breaking things down in a way that makes sense no matter your skill level.
Shogun Jiu Jitsu Academy is everything you could hope for in a martial arts school—professional, welcoming, and truly transformative. From the moment you walk in, you feel the sense of discipline, community, and respect that sets this place apart. Professor Cousino is a phenomenal instructor and leader.
Manny is one of the best BJJ practitioners I’ve ever trained with. He has continued to elevate his game after all these years and he continues to impress me with his innovation. He’s a great coach and more importantly, he’s a great person.
Great gym with plenty of space welcoming to all levels. Manny is a stellar coach who shows interests in all students of the gym regardless of experience in the sport of Jiu Jitsu.
New to BJJ? Start at Shogun Jiu Jitsu Academy
Shogun 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 Shogun 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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