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True Style Jiu-Jitsu & Fitness
5 ★★★★★ 12 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Highland Park, 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 — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- Private lessons private, one-on-one coaching available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
- 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 truestylejiujitsu.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (847) 681-3930
Hours
| Monday | 5:30–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 11:30 AM–1:30 PM, 4:30–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 5:30–9 PM |
| Thursday | 11:30 AM–1:30 PM, 4:30–8:30 PM |
| Friday | 11 AM–2 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM–1 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“Coach Jake’s Muay Thai curriculum has helped set a solid foundation for me personally and I’ve seen how he reinforces skills for more experienced practitioners.”
“I have been to pretty much all of the different striking and grappling classes that they offer, and they are all great.”
“The owner and head jiu jitsu instructor - Jen Z - is a seasoned black belt competitor and outstanding instructor.”
“Open mats are frequent and free to jiu jitsu practitioners of any school affiliation.”
“If you're looking for a place to learn Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, Judo, self-defense, or to just get fit, True Style is the way to go.”
“There’s a great variety of classes for beginners all the way to experts.”
“Coach Jay and Adam are amazing with the kids and make every class fun while still teaching great technique and discipline.”
Other martial arts here
“Coach Jake’s Muay Thai curriculum has helped set a solid foundation for me personally and I’ve seen how he reinforces skills for more experienced practitioners.”
“Jake and Ruben who teach kickboxing and judo respectively are also both fantastic and bring an extremely practical and well-informed approach to their methodologies.”
“Jake and Ruben who teach kickboxing and judo respectively are also both fantastic and bring an extremely practical and well-informed approach to their methodologies.”
What members say
“Jen & Jay are excellent instructors whose technical prowess is matched by their warmth and compassion.”
“Professor Jenn made me feel welcome from day one and truly created an environment that feels like home.”
“All the coaches are amazing, supportive and genuinely care about every member of the gym.”
“Coach Jay and Adam are amazing with the kids and make every class fun while still teaching great technique and discipline.”
“The owner and head jiu jitsu instructor - Jen Z - is a seasoned black belt competitor and outstanding instructor.”
“Super nice facility with lots of mat space and weights.”
From the reviews
Jen is not only an EXTREMELY talented jiu jitsu black belt, but she's also able to teach every level of student from upper belts to first-timers and meet them where they're at skillwise. My favorite thing about Jen is that she's unapologetically herself - graceful and confident in her love of the sport!
This review is for True Style Jiu-Jitsu & Fitness (located right over by Bluegrass restaurant and Jewel in Highland Park). I had trained in jiu jitsu for three years previously before joining True Style, and I can honestly say Jen (the owner and head coach) is such a breath of fresh air.
My experience at True Style has been amazing. After training jiu-jitsu for four years, switching to True Style was one of the best decisions I’ve made. The instruction is top-notch, and it’s been refreshing to keep learning and growing again.
Jen & Jay are both great coaches as well as genuine people. They'll cultivate an environment that reflects that. I've trained with them on many occasions and look forward to future training sessions together!!! P.S. Yes, it is true that they have style! 😁
New to BJJ? Start at True Style Jiu-Jitsu & Fitness
True Style Jiu-Jitsu & Fitness 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 True Style Jiu-Jitsu & Fitness
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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