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Strategic BJJ - Alton
5 ★★★★★ 40 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Alton, Illinois
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
- 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 6) — 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
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule strategicbjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (618) 328-3428
Hours
| Monday | 5:30–8:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 5–8:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 9–11 AM, 5–8:30 PM |
| Thursday | 6–7 AM, 5–8:30 PM |
| Friday | 5:30–8 PM |
| Saturday | 8:30–11:30 AM |
| Sunday | 8–10 AM |
The classes they run
“I often come a bit early and watch coach Keith and Natalie engage with the kids class and their patience is remarkable.”
“I train at another local gym, but we cross train regularly via the TAC Team Women's program.”
“Great nogi bjj, gi bjj, and MMA from MMA professionals and black belts.”
“He decided last minute to do an upcoming tournament and his coaches and team were more than supportive!”
“If you’re looking for quality Jiu Jitsu, self-defense, or kids’ classes, I highly recommend checking out Strategic BJJ.”
“I love that the gym fosters a welcoming and supportive community, making it a great space for both beginners and those with experience.”
Other martial arts here
“Great nogi bjj, gi bjj, and MMA from MMA professionals and black belts.”
“I attend the morning kickboxing classes here and love it.”
What members say
“Top notch training, Coach Keith is great always learned something and my son loved the kids classes.”
“I love that the gym fosters a welcoming and supportive community, making it a great space for both beginners and those with experience.”
“I love that the gym fosters a welcoming and supportive community, making it a great space for both beginners and those with experience.”
“In the 3 weeks I’ve been here the techniques have come together so fast I can’t believe my progress already.”
“Top notch training, Coach Keith is great always learned something and my son loved the kids classes.”
“He decided last minute to do an upcoming tournament and his coaches and team were more than supportive!”
From the reviews
Strategic BJJ is an amazing place to learn jiu jitsu!! Keith and Natalie run the programs and are super amazing and inclusive. I actually live in Edwardsville and drive 25 mins to learn from them ☺️
Great group of guys! I’ve known Keith the instructor for many years and his teaching is next to none. In the 3 weeks I’ve been here the techniques have come together so fast I can’t believe my progress already. Great physical workout and mind challenging martial art! Top notch right here!!
Best BJJ in the Greater Alton area. Conveniently located to East Alton, Wood River, Bethalto areas. Great nogi bjj, gi bjj, and MMA from MMA professionals and black belts. Very female friendly! Female purple belts and blue belts train here. I have been training here for years.
Strategic BJJ in all 3 locations is a fantastic place for kids and families! My daughter has been attending the Youth Jiu Jitsu classes, and the improvement in her confidence and skills has been incredible.
New to BJJ? Start at Strategic BJJ - Alton
Strategic BJJ - Alton 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 Strategic BJJ - Alton
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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