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Southside Dojo

4.6 ★★★★★ 17 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Portage, Michigan

BJJ gym Kids & teens

Plan your first class

  • Kids & youth classes kids and youth BJJ classes (ages 6–14) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule southsidedojo.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (269) 385-0111

Hours

Monday 5–8 PM
Tuesday 5–9:30 PM
Wednesday 5–10 PM
Thursday 5–9:30 PM
Friday 5–9 PM
Saturday 7:30 AM–3 PM
Sunday Closed

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 Southside Dojo, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 4 mentions

“My daughter is enjoying the teaching of Karate and Japanese.”

All gyms that run kids bjj →

Other martial arts here

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

🎽 Karate 2 mentions

“My daughter is enjoying the teaching of Karate and Japanese.”

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 17 Google reviews — in their own words.

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 4 mentions

“Amazing instructors, family friend environment.”

From the reviews

Wonderful dojo with a diversity of classes and styles to suit a wide variety of martial artists. Family friendly and a great group of people. Also very affordable considering the high caliber of the instructors there.

★★★★★ — Andrew, Apr 2022

Always great to get in there. If you are interested in something, this is the place in Kalamazoo. There's a style for just about anyone.

★★★★☆ — James, Aug 2022

This is authentic Okinawan kouburyu karate. I really enjoy it here. Good teachers. Friendly. But, expect you to train hard, listen. I highly recommend this dojo.

★★★★★ — Health, Feb 2024

My daughter is enjoying the teaching of Karate and Japanese. Patient and helpful team. Her confidence is growing with each lesson.

★★★★★ — A., Jan 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 17 reviews →

Your first BJJ class at Southside Dojo

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 Southside Dojo

8534 Portage Rd, Portage, MI49002

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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.