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SOMA Jiu-Jitsu Academy

5 ★★★★★ 136 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Rexburg, Idaho

BJJ gym Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons

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
  • 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 rexburgbjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 208-516-0540

Hours

Monday 8 am–9 pm
Tuesday 8 am–9 pm
Wednesday 8 am–9 pm
Thursday 8 am–9 pm
Friday 8 am–9 pm
Saturday 8 am–3 pm
Sunday 8 am–3 pm

Hours shift for holidays, seminars, and open-gym times — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

BJJ classes on the schedule at SOMA Jiu-Jitsu Academy, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 16 mentions

“It has helped our Kids socially, find their confidence, and give them life skills that will help them throughout their lives!”

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👤 Private Lessons

“We did private lessons with Coach James along with his group trainings and my son loved them!”

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🛡️ Self-Defense 2 mentions

“I love that Jiu Jitsu is so much more about self-defense, both verbal and physical than simply learning how to fight.”

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🌱 Beginners 2 mentions

“SOMA is a great place for beginners to experienced Jiu-Jitsu.”

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Other martial arts here

BJJ gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at SOMA Jiu-Jitsu Academy — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🎽 Karate

“We have never done jiu jitsu before, it was all new to me (I only knew about karate lol) but I heard many good things about Soma.”

Other gyms that also teach karate →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the gym's own info — they show what members have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want MMA, muay thai, or wrestling alongside your BJJ, confirm the current schedule with the gym.

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 136 Google reviews — in their own words.

🌱 welcoming to beginners 8 mentions

“The environment is friendly and welcoming and coach James took the time to assess my experience and came up with plan to get back on track.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 11 mentions

“The environment is friendly and welcoming and coach James took the time to assess my experience and came up with plan to get back on track.”

🧒 strong kids program 4 mentions

“It has helped our Kids socially, find their confidence, and give them life skills that will help them throughout their lives!”

🧠 builds confidence & discipline 9 mentions

“He has gained confidence, learned how to push himself and work hard for what he wants, learned to stand up for himself and control his emotions while doing so.”

From the reviews

We did private lessons with Coach James along with his group trainings and my son loved them! He is the best! I’m so glad to find additional positive male role models for my son, especially as he gets into the years when he is trying to find his place in the world outside of his parents.

★★★★★ — Liz, Oct 2022

I absolutely love this place for my child. They are great with the kids and in return the kids learn some self control. My daughter has been in the porcupine class since April 2023.

★★★★★ — Danielle, Jul 2024

SOMA Jiu Jitsu has provided an excellent space for my son to learn. He has gained confidence, learned how to push himself and work hard for what he wants, learned to stand up for himself and control his emotions while doing so.

★★★★★ — Jamie, Aug 2025

Such a thrill to begin this journey. Coach James is very informative and respectful of the fact that I don't know anything about this fascinating art. Every class makes perfect sense. The other students are also very helpful and make you feel comfortable in positions and movements I thought would feel awkward.

★★★★★ — P, Dec 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 136 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at SOMA Jiu-Jitsu Academy

SOMA 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.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first BJJ class at SOMA 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.

BJJ is a contact sport. Ease in, tap early and often, listen to your coaches, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find SOMA Jiu-Jitsu Academy

257 N 2nd W, Rexburg, ID83440

Get directions

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this gym? Claim your listing — it's free.