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Zura Jiu-Jitsu

5 ★★★★★ 15 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Marshalltown, Iowa

BJJ gym Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons No-gi Competition team

Plan your first class

  • Membership memberships run around $50/mo — many academies also offer a discounted first month and family plans, so ask about new-member rates
  • 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 zurajiujitsu.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (641) 751-1412

Hours

Monday 5:30–7:30 PM
Tuesday 5:30–7:30 PM
Wednesday 5:30–7:30 PM
Thursday 5:30–7:30 PM
Friday 5:30–7:30 PM
Saturday 9:30 AM–12 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 Zura Jiu-Jitsu, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 2 mentions

“The kids Jiu Jitsu class that was just added has been a huge addition for my niece and nephew.”

All gyms that run kids bjj →

🏆 Competition Team 2 mentions

“I’m not training for a tournament, and I’m not chasing medals.”

All gyms that run competition team →

🛡️ Self-Defense

“The community that’s growing here is great and includes everyone from serious athletes focused on competing to more casual students interested in fitness and self defense.”

All gyms that run self-defense →

🌱 Beginners 4 mentions

“Had brand new no experience guys all the way up serious Jiu Jitsu practitioners and very successful MMA fighters training and learning together.”

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 Zura Jiu-Jitsu — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🏟️ MMA 3 mentions

“Rick's wealth of knowledge and experience in Jiu Jitsu and its practical application in Mixed Martial Arts at the highest level truly sets him apart.”

Other gyms that also teach mma →

🤸 Wrestling

“Been here only a couple times better than all the wrestling coaches I’ve had explains things simple so there easy to understand even when it’s a complicated technique”

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 15 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 2 mentions

“Not only is the owner an elite coach, but he’s also warm and welcoming.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 7 mentions

“Had brand new no experience guys all the way up serious Jiu Jitsu practitioners and very successful MMA fighters training and learning together.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 7 mentions

“The mental and emotional strength I gain from pushing myself in a safe, supportive environment is life-changing.”

active competition team 2 mentions

“I’m not training for a tournament, and I’m not chasing medals.”

🧠 builds confidence & discipline 5 mentions

“The community that’s growing here is great and includes everyone from serious athletes focused on competing to more casual students interested in fitness and self defense.”

From the reviews

Rick “The Gladiator” Glenn is more than just a world champion mixed martial artist, veteran UFC fighter, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt. He’s one of the most genuine and high-quality men I know.

★★★★★ — Mathew, Aug 2025

Great place to learn Jiu Jitsu! Beginner and woman friendly. Rick and the coaches are supportive, kind, and ensure that everyone understands the moves. The kids Jiu Jitsu class that was just added has been a huge addition for my niece and nephew. Coach Chase incorporates life lessons and challenges for the kids.

★★★★★ — Iva, Jan 2026

Hello! I’m Ben Brown, I travel for work and stopped in to train at Zura Jiu Jitsu today! I called and was welcomed in. Had some amazing training. Everyone was incredible. Had brand new no experience guys all the way up serious Jiu Jitsu practitioners and very successful MMA fighters training and learning together.

★★★★★ — Ben, Jun 2025

Not only is the owner an elite coach, but he’s also warm and welcoming. The community that’s growing here is great and includes everyone from serious athletes focused on competing to more casual students interested in fitness and self defense. Couldn’t recommend it enough, stop by and give it a try!

★★★★★ — Jerrod, Aug 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 15 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Zura Jiu-Jitsu

Zura Jiu-Jitsu 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.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first BJJ class at Zura Jiu-Jitsu

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 Zura Jiu-Jitsu

104 E Linn St Ste B, Marshalltown, IA50158

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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.