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Victory MMA Academy - Arlington Heights

5 ★★★★★ 170 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Arlington Heights, Illinois

BJJ gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens No-gi

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 (ages 4–16) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • 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 victorymmaacademy.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 224-345-9490

Hours

Monday 9 am–9 pm
Tuesday 9 am–9 pm
Wednesday 9 am–9 pm
Thursday 9 am–9 pm
Friday Closed
Saturday 9 am–3 pm
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 Victory MMA Academy - Arlington Heights, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 23 mentions

“This speaks to how qualified his coaches were in Victory MMA👍🏻 Bring your children to Victory MMA, there are very talented coaches, a great gym and affordable prices.”

All gyms that run kids bjj →

🩳 No-Gi

“Have been a student for over a month in the adult kick boxing and grappling classes.”

All gyms that run no-gi →

🛡️ Self-Defense

“Highly recommend Arlington heights Victory MMA for anyone and or their children to come and learn mma and self defense.”

All gyms that run self-defense →

🌱 Beginners 4 mentions

“Whether it is your first time training, or you are an experienced martial artist, this academy will accommodate your needs!”

All gyms that run beginners →

Other martial arts here

BJJ gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at Victory MMA Academy - Arlington Heights — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🥊 Muay Thai

“I've been taking private Muay Thai lessons for the past 6 months and I'm so happy with my decision to join Victory MMA Academy.”

Other gyms that also teach muay thai →

🏟️ MMA 35 mentions

“Great MMA techniques taught, but highlight of program are their "mat chats", where Sensais give great life advice that kids and adults can benefit from.”

Other gyms that also teach mma →

🥊 Boxing 3 mentions

“Beyond the strong sense of community, he’s also learning real skills in boxing, kickboxing, wrestling, and jiu-jitsu — all in a supportive, encouraging environment.”

Other gyms that also teach boxing →

🦵 Kickboxing 3 mentions

“Beyond the strong sense of community, he’s also learning real skills in boxing, kickboxing, wrestling, and jiu-jitsu — all in a supportive, encouraging environment.”

Other gyms that also teach kickboxing →

🤸 Wrestling 2 mentions

“Beyond the strong sense of community, he’s also learning real skills in boxing, kickboxing, wrestling, and jiu-jitsu — all in a supportive, encouraging environment.”

Other gyms that also teach wrestling →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the gym's own info — they show what members have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want MMA, muay thai, or wrestling alongside your BJJ, confirm the current schedule with the gym.

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 170 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 4 mentions

“They have very good curriculum/moves of the month, great instructors, convenient class times and a very positive welcoming atmosphere.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 4 mentions

“They have very good curriculum/moves of the month, great instructors, convenient class times and a very positive welcoming atmosphere.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 11 mentions

“Beyond the strong sense of community, he’s also learning real skills in boxing, kickboxing, wrestling, and jiu-jitsu — all in a supportive, encouraging environment.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 3 mentions

“Great MMA techniques taught, but highlight of program are their "mat chats", where Sensais give great life advice that kids and adults can benefit from.”

🧒 strong kids program 2 mentions

“If you are looking for a great leader who will teach your children discipline and respect Alex Krotiak of Victory MMA is the man.”

🧼 clean, well-kept mats 5 mentions

“This speaks to how qualified his coaches were in Victory MMA👍🏻 Bring your children to Victory MMA, there are very talented coaches, a great gym and affordable prices.”

From the reviews

I want to sincerely thank our sensei Alex, Al, Zach, Deven and Stan🤝 We trained in Victory MMA for a year, but had to move to another state. Here we are still looking for good workouts. Everywhere we go at trial class they tell us that Mansur trains well and has excellent skills.

★★★★★ — Assel, Sep 2025

We've been going to Victory for about two years and this class has helped with my son's focus tremendously. We love the positive atmosphere and the mat chat at the end of each session. This is a monthly topic that is talked about with the kids. Topics like respect, personal growth, not being negative, etc.

★★★★★ — Albert, Sep 2019

My son has been part of the VMMA community for a while now, and the impact it has had on him has been incredible. As a single mother, finding a program that supports not only physical activity but also emotional and character development has meant so much to me. Victory MMA provides exactly that.

★★★★★ — Lina, May 2025

Victory MMA Academy is the place to be! I've been taking private Muay Thai lessons for the past 6 months and I'm so happy with my decision to join Victory MMA Academy. S/o to Sensei Stan for being an amazing teacher and mentor. His patience, expertise, and dedication makes every training session a great experience.

★★★★★ — Vince, Sep 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 170 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Victory MMA Academy - Arlington Heights

Victory MMA Academy - Arlington Heights 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.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first BJJ class at Victory MMA Academy - Arlington Heights

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 Victory MMA Academy - Arlington Heights

764 W Algonquin Rd, Arlington Heights, IL60005

Get directions

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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.