Best BJJ/MMA Schools in Chicago

[GregM80]

Hey everyone,

I've been really interested in trying out BJJ for a while now and I'm thinking that now is as good of a time as any. So, I was wondering what you guys and girls consider the best gyms in Chicago and why. I'm way up North; Edgewater to be more specific.

 

[Deleted member 405583]

There are loads of bjj clubs in the area. Andre maneco is an awesome instructor and a nice guy. Mark "Mack the knife" Daley is also a great choice and he's not too far from you (Addison and broadway). A huge portion of the city is from the Carlson Gracie lineage.

 

[SummerStriker]

I've been here a couple of times while traveling.

http://valkobjj.com/

I still use shit I learned there, almost every time I roll. Parking wasn't bad. It was a couple of years ago for me. The gym is in a fitness center so even the smaller people were in shape and the class had several weight lifters with technique. The head guy who runs the thing is great.

 

[Daniel Fox]

Hey everyone,

I've been really interested in trying out BJJ for a while now and I'm thinking that now is as good of a time as any. So, I was wondering what you guys and girls consider the best gyms in Chicago and why. I'm way up North; Edgewater to be more specific.

Edgewater is right near the Red Line, there are a plethora of good Jiu Jitsu schools that you can get to from the Train. If you have a car New Breed, and Serafin are not far and are both fine schools. Valko, which was mentioned by SummerStriker has a very good reputation. I believe there is a MMA program at Extreme Kung Fu which is on Peterson and Clark, but I know nothing about it. If you are interested in Freestyle Wrestling private message me I know a Soviet trained coach, who is top notch , and teaches very close to Edgewater.

 

[fishNjits]

You're pretty far north, but Team Redzovic has three locations. One might work for you.

I started there about a year ago but after 6 months, work led me to move to Des Moines.

I couldn't recommend Redzovic more. The Redzovic brothers are just great people as were all the other instructors.

They have a Gracie Barra lineage. The core beginner class was very self defense oriented. It's what I wanted, but that's not for everyone.

Shameless plug for my new school. I'm at No Coast BJJ in Waukee and loving it.

 

[GregM80]

I appreciate all your responses! I'll definitely look into these gyms more. One gym I did notice was Chicago MMA and they have a deal going on: 3 months for 350 with a ralph gracie gi or boxing gloves, shin guards and wraps included for free. That sounds like a good deal to me but I'm not sure if that's something worth jumping at. Have you guys heard anything about that gym?

 

[Daniel Fox]

I appreciate all your responses! I'll definitely look into these gyms more. One gym I did notice was Chicago MMA and they have a deal going on: 3 months for 350 with a ralph gracie gi or boxing gloves, shin guards and wraps included for free. That sounds like a good deal to me but I'm not sure if that's something worth jumping at. Have you guys heard anything about that gym?

Yes it has a very good reputation.

 

[Deleted member 405583]

I'd also check out Pete the Greek and Pedro Vianna I think he's north also. But the city has so many quality gyms it's hard to give just 1 suggestion. My advice would be to start going to these places and check out a few of their classes and see which one fits right. The schools I suggest are schools that I've visited and have had great experiences at.