BJJ Classes in Chicago, IL
Chicago has 30 BJJ gyms — including 21 with a free trial, 21 beginner-friendly, and 25 with kids' classes. Every listing is ranked by what members say (Google rating weighted by review count) and shows live open-now hours and the classes each gym runs, so you can find your academy and book your first class. All levels welcome — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start.
Taylor Biagi Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 351 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
Valko Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy
5 ★★★★★ 233 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
Southside Jiu Jitsu Club
4.9 ★★★★★ 226 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
Downtown Jiu Jitsu Club Chicago
4.9 ★★★★★ 208 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
Supreme JIU JITSU Chicago Idriz Redzovic
5 ★★★★★ 184 reviews
Chicago School Of Grappling
5 ★★★★★ 142 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
No-nonsense studio for martial arts instruction, including boxing, kickboxing, Jiu-Jitsu & more.
Ascend Jiu-Jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 137 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
Redzovic Jiu Jitsu Chicago
4.9 ★★★★★ 147 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
Molinaro Jiu Jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 103 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
Degerberg Academy of Martial Arts
4.9 ★★★★★ 111 reviews
Vianna Brothers Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy
4.9 ★★★★★ 102 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
Renzo Gracie Chicago
4.9 ★★★★★ 101 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
Chicago Mixed Martial Arts
4.9 ★★★★★ 91 reviews
Brazil 021 BJJ - Jiu-Jitsu in Chicago
4.9 ★★★★★ 81 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
Lakeside Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
4.9 ★★★★★ 78 reviews
Gracie Barra Jiu Jitsu in Chicago
4.9 ★★★★★ 71 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
Double Five Jiu-Jitsu
4.9 ★★★★★ 70 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
Grassroots Jiu-Jitsu and Fitness
5 ★★★★★ 64 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu Chicago
5 ★★★★★ 59 reviews
Project Achilles - Mixed Martial Arts - BJJ - Muay Thai - Self Defense - Concealed Carry Licence - Kid BJJ - Kid Muay Thaï
4.9 ★★★★★ 64 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
North Side Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
4.9 ★★★★★ 61 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
Carlson Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Headquarters
4.8 ★★★★★ 64 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
Pure Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
4.9 ★★★★★ 55 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
CombatZone Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and MMA
4.9 ★★★★★ 53 reviews
Boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu are taught at this facility, also featuring personal training.
Valko Jiu Jitsu Studio
5 ★★★★★ 47 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
Movimento Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Fitness
4.8 ★★★★★ 32 reviews
Stronghold Jiu-Jitsu Academy
5 ★★★★★ 26 reviews
Artistic Jiu Jitsu School
5 ★★★★★ 18 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
The Bridge Jiu-Jitsu
4.8 ★★★★★ 20 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
Jiu-Jitsu Institute Inc
5 ★★★★★ 12 reviews
Good to know in Chicago
17 of the 30 gyms with posted hours are open on Sundays.
For a recognized affiliation or lineage (think Gracie Barra, 10th Planet, Renzo Gracie, Alliance), members point to Downtown Jiu Jitsu Club Chicago, Vianna Brothers Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy, Renzo Gracie Chicago, Lakeside Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and 7 more.
Looking for a women's class or a welcoming room to start in? Southside Jiu Jitsu Club, Downtown Jiu Jitsu Club Chicago, Brazil 021 BJJ - Jiu-Jitsu in Chicago and Artistic Jiu Jitsu School run women's BJJ.
Plan your first class
These gyms offer a free trial, free first class, or intro offer — the low-risk way to try BJJ before you commit. Check each gym's schedule for the current offer.
- Taylor Biagi Brazilian Jiu Jitsu ★★★★★ 5 (351)
- Valko Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy ★★★★★ 5 (233)
- Southside Jiu Jitsu Club ★★★★★ 4.9 (226)
New to BJJ?
These gyms are called out by members as welcoming to beginners — go at your own pace, ask questions, and know that rolling builds up slowly and tapping keeps it safe. Everyone in the room started with a first class.
- Taylor Biagi Brazilian Jiu Jitsu ★★★★★ 5 (351)
- Valko Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy ★★★★★ 5 (233)
- Southside Jiu Jitsu Club ★★★★★ 4.9 (226)
Kids & teen BJJ in Chicago
These gyms run kids' or youth classes — supervised, confidence-building, and focused on discipline and self-defense. Check each gym's schedule for age groups and times.
- Taylor Biagi Brazilian Jiu Jitsu ★★★★★ 5 (351)
- Valko Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy ★★★★★ 5 (233)
- Southside Jiu Jitsu Club ★★★★★ 4.9 (226)
BJJ in Chicago: quick answers
- How much does BJJ cost a month in Chicago?
- A few Chicago gyms list a membership around $130/mo, but most don't post rates online. Ask about a free trial and check the gym's schedule for current prices — see our cost guide for typical ranges.
- Do any Chicago gyms offer a free trial or free first class?
- Yes — 21 of the 30 gyms in Chicago advertise a free trial, free first class, or intro offer, including Taylor Biagi Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Valko Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy, Southside Jiu Jitsu Club. Offers change, so confirm on the gym's site before you go.
- I'm a total beginner — can I start BJJ in Chicago?
- Yes. BJJ welcomes complete beginners, and you don't need to be fit or have any experience first — the training gets you in shape. 21 Chicago gyms are highlighted by members as beginner-friendly. Rolling (live sparring) builds up slowly, a good gym never pressures newcomers, and tapping keeps every roll safe — just leave your ego at the door.
- Are there kids' BJJ classes in Chicago?
- Yes — 25 Chicago gyms run kids' or youth BJJ, with some classes starting as young as age 3. Youth programs focus on confidence, discipline, and fun in a supervised setting; check each gym's schedule for age groups and times.