5 Best Martial Arts in Chicago (2026)

Independently ranked by our review of ratings, reviews and reputation · How we chose

By Vespera Quill, Expert in Local Experiences and Cultural Analysis · ✓ Data verified August 2026 · 8 min read

Walking into a martial arts gym for the first time is intimidating enough without wondering if the school is any good. Chicago's jiu-jitsu and martial arts schools on this page have logged over 800 Google reviews between them, and most hold a perfect 5.0, so the sorting question here is less about quality and more about which coach and neighborhood fit.

Short answer: Valko Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy leads with a perfect 5.0 across 238 reviews, known for its welcoming beginner classes near River North. Downtown Jiu Jitsu Club Chicago follows closely at 4.9 (210 reviews) with a downtown location built for pre- or post-work training. Most schools here offer a free trial class or week, per their own sites.

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1. Valko Brazilian Jiu-Ji…
2. Downtown Jiu Jitsu Clu…
3. Ascend Jiu-Jitsu
4. Chicago School Of Grap…
5. Project Achilles
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Chicago's Martial Arts Schools Compared

#	Business	Rating	Reviews	Best for
1	Valko Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy	5.0 ★	238	Beginner-friendly Brazilian jiu-jitsu	View ›
2	Downtown Jiu Jitsu Club Chicago	4.9 ★	210	Downtown convenience	View ›
3	Ascend Jiu-Jitsu	5.0 ★	146	Private, executive-focused training	View ›
4	Chicago School Of Grappling	5.0 ★	144	No-contract grappling and striking	View ›
5	Project Achilles - Mixed Martial Arts - BJJ - Muay Thai - Self Defense - Concealed Carry Licence - Kid BJJ - Kid Muay Thaï	5.0 ★	84	Mixed martial arts and firearms training	View ›

Our top picks, reviewed

#1 Overall🕑 Open 7 days

Valko Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy

5.0238 Google reviews

Valko Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy trains gi and no-gi BJJ out of a River North location, alongside an MMA and boxing class twice a week. Run by Jay Valko and Jose, the school offers morning, afternoon, and night class times, showers with towels, and free rental gis for new students still deciding whether to commit.

What people praise

Reviewers repeatedly describe the coaching as patient and detail-oriented for beginners
Strong community culture, with experienced members and black belts helping newcomers feel included
Out-of-town visitors and drop-ins describe an unusually welcoming atmosphere
Free loaner gis remove a common barrier for first-timers

Worth knowing

Facility is tucked inside another gym, so it can be tricky to find on the first visit

Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago

Rating5 / 5

Review volume238 · 97th

Confidencehigh

Recency2 months ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown100% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The top spot on rating and review volume both, and the reviews back it up with specific stories about how new students are treated, not just praise for the training itself.

Website +1773-556-8155 Directions

820 N Orleans St, Chicago, IL 60610

#2🕑 Open 7 days

Downtown Jiu Jitsu Club Chicago

4.9210 Google reviews

Downtown Jiu Jitsu Club Chicago is a Gracie Jiu Jitsu academy on Wabash Ave led by Adem Redzovic, offering fundamentals, intermediate, and advanced BJJ programs plus kickboxing fundamentals and private lessons. The academy's own site markets it as a private, structured club built for both complete beginners and experienced grapplers.

What people praise

Instructors singled out by name for clear, step-by-step technique breakdowns
Clean, well-maintained facility with towels and showers noted by reviewers
Located right downtown, convenient for training before or after work
Welcoming atmosphere described even for members with zero prior martial arts experience

Worth knowing

A handful of lower-star reviews sit in an otherwise strong record

Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago

Rating4.9 / 5

Review volume210 · 92nd

Confidencehigh

Recency3 months ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown97% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: Ranks second on this page with a 4.9 average, and its downtown location makes it the practical pick for anyone training around a work schedule.

Website +1312-583-0244 Directions

226 S Wabash Ave 3rd floor, Chicago, IL 60604

#3🕑 Open 6 days/wk↩ Responds to reviews

Ascend Jiu-Jitsu

5.0146 Google reviews

Ascend Jiu-Jitsu is a Streeterville BJJ studio built specifically around a private, small-class structure, marketed toward working professionals who want a more focused environment than a typical gym. Led by professor Pierre Pires, the studio offers private sessions and describes its space as sanitized after every class with clean gear provided.

What people praise

Reviewers highlight small class sizes and personalized, focused feedback
Coach praised for clear technique breakdowns suited to complete beginners
Kids' program also draws strong reviews for discipline and patience
Central Streeterville location near the Gold Coast and Magnificent Mile

Worth knowing

Structure and pricing are built around a private, executive-focused model rather than open drop-in classes

Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago

Rating5 / 5

Review volume146 · 87th

Confidencemoderate

Recency3 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown99% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A perfect 5.0 across 146 reviews, and the clear choice if you want a smaller, more personalized class than the bigger academies on this page.

Website +1312-584-6479 Directions

220 E Illinois St Unit 7-12, Chicago, IL 60611

#4🕑 Open 5 days/wk↩ Responds to reviews

Chicago School Of Grappling

5.0144 Google reviews

Chicago School of Grappling teaches Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai kickboxing, and wrestling out of a Racine Ave location near UIC, with a stated focus on "perseverance plus hard work equals improvement." The school offers a free 7-day trial and, per reviews, runs without long-term contracts.

What people praise

No annual contract required, called out repeatedly as a relief compared to other gyms
Reviewers describe a no-frills, welcoming atmosphere for all skill levels
Coaches named individually for hands-on, respectful instruction
Free parking options mapped out for students near the facility

Worth knowing

Limited class windows on some weekdays compared to gyms open longer hours

Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago

Rating5 / 5

Review volume144 · 82nd

Confidencemoderate

Recency4 months ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown98% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: Also a perfect 5.0, and the contract-free structure is a real draw for anyone who wants to try before committing long-term.

Website +1773-482-1255 Directions

722 S Racine Ave, Chicago, IL 60607

#5🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

Project Achilles - Mixed Martial Arts - BJJ - Muay Thai - Self Defense - Concealed Carry Licence - Kid BJJ - Kid Muay Thaï

5.084 Google reviews

Project Achilles is a River North gym offering MMA, Muay Thai, boxing, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and self-defense classes, plus a separate track of concealed-carry and tactical firearms training led by instructors reviewers describe as having elite military and competition backgrounds.

What people praise

Reviewers describe coaches as knowledgeable across multiple disciplines, not just one style
Firearms and tactical pistol training praised for precision and thorough instruction
Supportive atmosphere specifically noted by women training in MMA and jiu-jitsu classes
Coaches described by name as patient with complete beginners

Worth knowing

Fewer reviews than the other schools on this page, so the sample is smaller

Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago

Rating5 / 5

Review volume84 · 66th

Confidencemoderate

Recency3 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown99% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: Ranks fifth here on review volume, though a perfect 5.0 rating and its combined martial arts and firearms training make it worth a look if that combination fits what you're after.

Website +1312-989-4023 Directions

9 W Hubbard St #402, Chicago, IL 60654

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How we score

Rating is the live Google average for each school. Review volume measures how many students actually left a rating, ranked against the others on this page. Confidence weighs the rating by that volume, since a 5.0 from dozens of reviews carries less certainty than one built on hundreds. Recency checks how recently people are still reviewing. No business can pay to change these numbers.

How much do martial arts classes cost in Chicago? (2026)

None of the schools on this page publish pricing we could independently verify from reviews or site text, and monthly rates typically depend on class frequency, program type, and whether you sign up month-to-month or on a contract. Several reviewers mention free trial classes or a free introductory week, so ask about that before committing to a plan.

Serving all of Chicago

These schools cluster around River North, Streeterville, downtown near Wabash, and the West Loop near UIC, covering most of central Chicago within a short commute. A “martial arts near me” search from the Loop, Gold Coast, or Near West Side will likely turn up at least one of these schools.

What to ask before you join a martial arts school

Is there a free trial class or week before I commit to a membership?
Do you require a long-term contract, or is it month-to-month?
What’s included for beginners (loaner gi, gear, mats)?
How many students are typically in a class?
Do you offer kids’ classes separate from adult programs?
What experience level do most current students have?

Frequently asked questions

Are these rankings paid?

No. Rankings come from public Google data. A business can pay to be a Featured Partner (badge and top placement), but that never changes another business’s score or position.

How did you choose these schools?

We pulled real Google ratings and review counts for martial arts schools across Chicago, then ranked them by a mix of rating, review volume, and how recently students have been leaving feedback.

How often is this updated?

This page was last verified in August 2026 against current Google data, and we refresh it periodically as ratings and review counts change.

Is Brazilian jiu-jitsu a good starting point for beginners?

Yes, based on the reviews here. Several schools on this page specifically call out beginner-friendly fundamentals classes with free loaner gear and patient coaching for people with zero prior experience.

Do any of these schools offer classes for kids?

Yes. Both Ascend Jiu-Jitsu and Project Achilles have reviews specifically describing kids’ programs, and several other schools on this page mention family-friendly scheduling.

The bottom line

Valko Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy is the safest default for most beginners, with the deepest review history on this page and a perfect rating built on hundreds of specific, detailed reviews. If a downtown commute matters more, Downtown Jiu Jitsu Club Chicago is a close second. Ask about a free trial class before signing anything, most of these schools offer one.

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