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Way of Jiu Jitsu Academy
5 ★★★★★ 153 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Denver, Colorado
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
- 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
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Website & schedule wayofjiujitsu.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (303) 246-8855
The classes they run
“In the kids class, I learned all the fundamentals of Jiu-jitsu as well as important life lessons, like discipline, work ethic, and accountability.”
“Now, whenever my family and I visit Denver, getting in a few training sessions at Way of Jiu Jitsu is a must, even for my wife and two kids.”
“The gym offers Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for all levels, from beginner to advanced, plus no-gi and judo.”
“Professor Nobuo is well connected in the local BJJ and judo scenes, regularly promotes tournaments, and frequently hosts high-quality seminars in both disciplines.”
“Coaches are teaching respect, discipline, managing emotions, accountability, healthy competition, self-defense, and physical safety (ex: how to fall safely).”
“This gym is for everyone, whether you a lady looking for self defense classes, a beginner or experience wrestler, you will find what you're looking for!”
Other martial arts here
“The gym offers Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for all levels, from beginner to advanced, plus no-gi and judo.”
What members say
“Professor Nobu’s instruction is world-class, blending technical precision with a passion for the art that elevates every session.”
“Each class offers valuable lessons—both on and off the mat—and the welcoming community is genuinely committed to helping one another grow in skill and character.”
“Each class offers valuable lessons—both on and off the mat—and the welcoming community is genuinely committed to helping one another grow in skill and character.”
“In the kids class, I learned all the fundamentals of Jiu-jitsu as well as important life lessons, like discipline, work ethic, and accountability.”
“They also have a great kids program that my kids have attended which they really enjoyed.”
“Professor Nobuo is well connected in the local BJJ and judo scenes, regularly promotes tournaments, and frequently hosts high-quality seminars in both disciplines.”
From the reviews
My son was 4 1/2 years old when he started. His doctors recommended he attend a sport to challenge his mind, body and most important build his communication skills. Jiu Jitsu is a full body workout. The trainer and coaches here are amazing. They’ve been a tremendous help showing students what it looks like to be safe.
I’ve been to a few different bjj academy’s and this has far been the best experience. Professor Nobuo is great at teaching bjj and really simplifies everything to make it easy to learn. I feel there are a lot of skilled individuals training at the academy thanks to the great technique that is taught.
Our daughter has been training at Way of Jiu Jitsu since she was 8 and she is now 14, and she absolutely loves it! The coaches are wonderful and so patient with the kids. I recently started training myself and the environment is very welcoming and not at all intimidating!
I started training at Way of Jiu Jitsu back in 2022 I guess. I trained there for about a year and a half before moving overseas. Since leaving this jiu jitsu academy, I have trained at three or four other places… Some big schools… Some small schools… Some in the US… Some in Europe… Way of Jiu Jitsu is by far the best…
New to BJJ? Start at Way of Jiu Jitsu Academy
Way of Jiu Jitsu 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 Way of Jiu Jitsu 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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