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Soma Jiu Jitsu Academy of Kokomo
4.5 ★★★★★ 8 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Kokomo, Indiana
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 (ages 3–15) — 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 somajj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 765-416-3453
Hours
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 7–8:30 pm |
| Wednesday | Closed |
| Thursday | 7–8:30 pm |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 8:30–9:30 am |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“This is such a great environment dedicated to the bettering of yourself, through self defense.”
Other martial arts here
What members say
“James is a great instructor, I'm recently 41 years old and loving learning something new that is way out of my comfort zone, everyone is so helpful!”
“The other students have been very friendly and super helpful.”
“James is a great instructor, I'm recently 41 years old and loving learning something new that is way out of my comfort zone, everyone is so helpful!”
From the reviews
EDIT: 6 years later, it only gets better! This is such a great environment dedicated to the bettering of yourself, through self defense. The Instructor, James Horne, is a phenomenal teacher, and knows this material inside and out.
I am 24, I work in a factory, and I have been going to Soma for a little over a year. It has been the best investment for my wellbeing and personal growth. Jim is a fantastic instructor and works with you to give you the best experience. Highly recommend.
Instructor James is a great teacher . Super technical and has the ability to break everything down in such a simple way that it's very easy to understand. Which is good for a 32 year old with no prior experience. The other students have been very friendly and super helpful.
This is a great academy to be a part of. Everyone is very welcoming and helpful. The instructor James is awesome! I learn something new with each class.
New to BJJ? Start at Soma Jiu Jitsu Academy of Kokomo
Soma Jiu Jitsu Academy of Kokomo comes up as a beginner-friendly gym — noted on their own site. 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 Soma Jiu Jitsu Academy of Kokomo
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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