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StrongHold Jiu Jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 72 Google reviews · BJJ gym in DeForest, Wisconsin
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 — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule stronghold-athletics.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 608-617-5134
Hours
| Monday | 9–10:30 am, 4–8:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 5–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 9–10:30 am, 4–8:30 pm |
| Thursday | 5–8 pm |
| Friday | 9–10:30 am, 4–8:30 pm |
| Saturday | 9–11 am |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“When you watch his kids classes, you can tell right away that they are in good hands.”
“The atmosphere is family friendly, the facility is clean, and there’s mutual respect amongst all jiujitsu practitioners, beginners and experienced.”
What members say
“He is also an amazing coach and his classes are filled with respect and professionalism.”
“The atmosphere is family friendly, the facility is clean, and there’s mutual respect amongst all jiujitsu practitioners, beginners and experienced.”
“The atmosphere is family friendly, the facility is clean, and there’s mutual respect amongst all jiujitsu practitioners, beginners and experienced.”
“His attention to detail, his knowledge, and his obvious love for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu sets this gym above many others that I have visited.”
“This gym is associated with a larger affiliation in the midwest (Tac Team) that they cross train with and brings in top notch talent from Chicago, Milwauke, and Iowa.”
“The atmosphere is family friendly, the facility is clean, and there’s mutual respect amongst all jiujitsu practitioners, beginners and experienced.”
From the reviews
Our family loves this place, Stronghold is not your typical Jiu-Jitsu academy, at Stronghold I feel that my kids walk into a first class gym to train with their very knowledgeable big brother.
I highly recommend Stronghold jiujitsu for kids and/or adults. Coach Wade’s classes are fun, mentally stimulating, and rigorous. Coach Wade is VERY technical, so his understanding and ability to convey how the technique should be performed will elevate one’s game.
Fantastic group of people! I had the pleasure if training with Coach Wade and his team for several months. His attention to detail, his knowledge, and his obvious love for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu sets this gym above many others that I have visited.
The benefits that Stronghold has had on my life is immeasurable. I’m a fitter, happier, calmer person. Coach Wade has endless patience and is a phenomenal coach. From Day 1, I have felt welcome and, I have made friends here who I am sure are my friends for life. Come train! You won’t regret it.
New to BJJ? Start at StrongHold Jiu Jitsu
StrongHold Jiu Jitsu 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 StrongHold Jiu Jitsu
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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