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Southside Jiu Jitsu Club
4.9 ★★★★★ 226 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Chicago, Illinois
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 — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- Women's classes dedicated women's BJJ classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
- No-gi no-gi grappling classes — training in a rashguard and shorts, with faster scrambles and a natural bridge to MMA
- Open mat open-mat rolling sessions for members to practice live — always optional and at your own pace
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule southsidejiujitsuclubchicago.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (312) 554-9038
Hours
| Monday | 6–8 AM, 5–8:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 5–8:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 6–8:30 PM |
| Thursday | 6–8 AM, 5–8:30 PM |
| Friday | 5–8:30 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM–1 PM |
| Sunday | 10 AM–1 PM |
The classes they run
“Love their all around vibe would definitely recommend to any girls looking to start or any parents looking to put their children into BJJ.”
“For women, they offer several women only classes as well!”
“In just over a year, I’ve earned 3 stripes and competed in my first tournament, which I couldn't have done without the support of the team.”
“Special shoutout to Professor Darrin and Professor Nick—not only is their instruction great, but they always have the best playlists going for class and open mats!”
“As someone who needs to learn self defense and has never played a team or contact sport, the coaches and classmates are very helpful, mindful, and skilled.”
“It is beginner friendly but plenty of more advanced/intense classes- best well rounded gym that fits basically anyone.”
Other martial arts here
What members say
“Having such skilled, knowledgeable instructors in the neighborhood is a huge plus, and they’re also super friendly and easy to learn from.”
“As someone who wasn't naturally the most athletic, I was nervous starting out, but the atmosphere here is incredibly welcoming for all ages and experience levels.”
“As someone who wasn't naturally the most athletic, I was nervous starting out, but the atmosphere here is incredibly welcoming for all ages and experience levels.”
“They each have their own style, and they are very patient and knowledgeable about techniques.”
“At the end of the 6 week challenge, I lost 17 lbs, and reduced my overall body fat by almost 4%.”
“In just over a year, I’ve earned 3 stripes and competed in my first tournament, which I couldn't have done without the support of the team.”
From the reviews
This place has been a lot of fun. Took a few classes and every time I show up I learn something new. I feel like I have a better understanding of how to move my body and noticeably less stressed. The people have been incredibly supportive and welcoming.
I was 239lbs to start. I weigh in around 180 lbs now. Not even a year of training. I am in the best shape of my life and SSJJ is partially responsible for it. I’m more focused and calm, less stressed and more confident than I’ve ever been, and that’s also thanks to SSJJ.
SJJC is a great place for anyone interested in BJJ. I started training 5 months ago and I've been very impressed with all of the instructors. They each have their own style, and they are very patient and knowledgeable about techniques.
I’ve been training at SSJJC since October 2024. I started with the 6-week challenge and stayed because of the incredible community. As someone who wasn't naturally the most athletic, I was nervous starting out, but the atmosphere here is incredibly welcoming for all ages and experience levels.
New to BJJ? Start at Southside Jiu Jitsu Club
Southside Jiu Jitsu Club 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 Southside Jiu Jitsu Club
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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