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The Grappler Academy
5 ★★★★★ 12 Google reviews · BJJ gym in St. Charles, 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
- 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 thegrappleracademy.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (630) 429-7545
Hours
| Monday | 5–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 5–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 5–8 PM |
| Thursday | 5–8 PM |
| Friday | 5–8 PM |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“The kids program is fantastic, teaching not just jiu jitsu but also teamwork and resilience, while the adult classes offer a perfect balance of challenge and encouragement.”
“After seeing a few classes my high school daughter and I wanted to try.”
“Whether you want to improve fitness, learn self defense, or compete at a high level, this gym has everything you need.”
“Whether you want to improve fitness, learn self defense, or compete at a high level, this gym has everything you need.”
“The instructors are world class, highly skilled, patient, and passionate about helping both beginners and advanced students grow.”
Other martial arts here
What members say
“**Strongly Recommended** Marc (the owner and instructor) is a great coach and an even better person.”
“The Grappler Academy is a fantastic gym for beginners and those who want to improve their grappling skills.”
“From the moment you walk in, you can feel the welcoming and supportive environment.”
“It is family friendly, respectful, and focused on building confidence, discipline, and real technique.”
“It is family friendly, respectful, and focused on building confidence, discipline, and real technique.”
From the reviews
Marc the owner is a phenomenal grappler, instructor, and friend. He works wonderfully with kids and has always tuned his approach to get the best out of all of his students. I highly recommend this gym, the person, and the family.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Grappler Academy in St. Charles is hands down the best jiu jitsu gym in the area. From the moment you walk in, you can feel the welcoming and supportive environment. The instructors are world class, highly skilled, patient, and passionate about helping both beginners and advanced students grow.
My son is 11 and started Brazilian Ju Jitsu with Coach Marc about 3 months ago….and he is obsessed!!! Coach Marc is amazing, as he teaches the class he considers each student’s individuality. We had a little hesitations having no previous experience.
Whether you're new or have been practicing combat sports for years there's something here for you. Marc has been a great instructor. I don't have previous grappling experience and Marc has taken a major priority in making sure everyone is feeling safe, the atmosphere of the gym is extremely supportive and everyone is…
New to BJJ? Start at The Grappler Academy
The Grappler Academy 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 The Grappler Academy
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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🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site