HomeWashingtonKirkland › Take the Back Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Self Defense

Take the Back Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Self Defense

5 ★★★★★ 7 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Kirkland, Washington

BJJ gym Affiliated No-gi

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

  • 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
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule takethebackbjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 786-683-6854

Hours

Monday Closed
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday 3:30–4:30 pm
Thursday Closed
Friday 12:30 am–6:30 pm
Saturday Closed
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 Take the Back Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Self Defense, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

💪 Women's BJJ 3 mentions

“The women's class in particular was very fun and I learned how to move my body in ways I never thought possible.”

All gyms that run women's bjj →

🛡️ Self-Defense 4 mentions

“I really like the exclusive classes for women who, in addition to learning a fight, can also be learning self-defense.”

All gyms that run self-defense →

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 7 Google reviews — in their own words.

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 3 mentions

“You will feel stronger and more confident, learn important skills, and find a welcoming and amazing community.”

💗 welcoming to women 9 mentions

“I really like the exclusive classes for women who, in addition to learning a fight, can also be learning self-defense.”

🧠 builds confidence & discipline 3 mentions

“Great workout and confidence boost!”

From the reviews

As a woman, learning jiu-jitsu at Take the Back BJJ has been revelatory. It's not just about self-defense techniques, it's about building confidence in a collaborative, women-led environment, it offers a vital space for female empowerment through martial arts.

★★★★★ — Olivia, Sep 2025

I have been training jiu-jitsu at Gracie Barra in Kirkland for almost 4 years and I have a lot of confidence in saying that it is a very organized place with qualified professor committed to our learning.

★★★★★ — Cintia, Dec 2024

The women’s-only classes are my favorite time of the week. It’s such an encouraging environment for learning jiu jitsu and self defense. You will feel stronger and more confident, learn important skills, and find a welcoming and amazing community.

★★★★★ — Allison, Dec 2024

Women’s self defense classes in a fun, friendly environment. I have learned soo much and met many amazing women that I now consider friends. Great workout and confidence boost!

★★★★★ — Krystal, Dec 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 7 reviews →

Your first BJJ class at Take the Back Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Self Defense

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 Take the Back Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Self Defense

12802 NE 125th Way, Kirkland, WA98034

Get directions Instagram

More BJJ gyms near Kirkland

Gracie Barra Kirkland

4.8 ★★★★★ 82 reviews

12802 NE 125th Way, Kirkland, WA

🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site

BJJ gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens No-gi Competition team Affiliated expert, high-level coachingwelcoming to beginnersno-ego, friendly academy

under a mile away

Kaiju Kickboxing and MMA (Mixed Martial Arts, BJJ, Muay Thai, and Boxing)

5 ★★★★★ 250 reviews

13600 NE 126th Pl #A, Kirkland, WA

🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site

Memberships around $35/mo

BJJ gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens No-gi Competition team Affiliated welcoming to beginnersno-ego, friendly academystrong technique & fundamentals

under a mile away

Mastermind Jiu Jitsu

5 ★★★★★ 26 reviews

13600 NE 126th Pl #A, Kirkland, WA

BJJ gym Beginners welcome Kids & teens No-gi Competition team expert, high-level coachingwelcoming to beginnersno-ego, friendly academy

under a mile away

All BJJ gyms in Kirkland, WA →

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.