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URSA Academy - Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu Ann Arbor
4.7 ★★★★★ 161 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Ann Arbor, Michigan
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 ursaacademy.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (734) 369-8509
Hours
| Monday | 12–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 12–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 12–9 PM |
| Thursday | 12–9 PM |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 9 AM–12:30 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“We have tried other activities and sports THIS Has been truly amazing watching my daughter’s confidence grow just in two classes!”
“Even now, as I have moved across the country and have started at a new gym, I find myself able to compete with high level training partners, and am able to hold my own.”
“I’d highly recommend this gym to either beginners who are looking into the sport or BJJ or veterans that could share their knowledge.”
Other martial arts here
What members say
“Professor Kris does do a great job of explaining/demonstrating techniques, but as someone who learns by doing rather than by watching, the teaching format is an impediment for me.”
“URSA has created such a welcoming and supportive environment, it’s clear that respect, focus, and growth are at the heart of everything they do.”
“From day one, the coaches have been incredibly patient, supportive, and truly dedicated to helping each child grow not just in skills, but in confidence and discipline as well.”
“Professor Kris does do a great job of explaining/demonstrating techniques, but as someone who learns by doing rather than by watching, the teaching format is an impediment for me.”
“The level of jiu jitsu that is taught is extremely high level, and I have had great results using what I learned in competitions.”
“), structured classes that review techniques in detail and follow a curriculum, and CLEAN mats and facilities.”
From the reviews
Clean spacious facility. Welcoming front staff. Head coach is humble and approachable. Excellent high-level technique taught in an way that is organized & easy-to-grasp. Training partners are supportive, receptive, & conscientious. Female friendly. Lots of higher belts to train with.
URSA is an incredible place for those who are both looking to start their jiu jitsu journey, as well as for those who are more experienced and want to learn at a high level.
We’ve had such a great experience with my son’s jiu-jitsu gym. From day one, the coaches have been incredibly patient, supportive, and truly dedicated to helping each child grow not just in skills, but in confidence and discipline as well. The environment is welcoming, structured, and very positive.
URSA Academy is a great gym. The classes are good, the coaches are very knowledgeable, and everyone is very friendly. The students are engaged asking question and everyone is just looking to gain experience and get some good rolls in.
New to BJJ? Start at URSA Academy - Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu Ann Arbor
URSA Academy - Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu Ann Arbor 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 URSA Academy - Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu Ann Arbor
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