FAQ &
CONTACT.

Yes — you're welcome here. Most of our students started with no background in martial arts or grappling.

You train at your own level from day one, with coaching and teammates who help you get better. The culture is simple: train hard, be respectful, and help the people around you improve.

Adults and teens 13+ head to the Get Started page; parents start at Get Started · Kids. New members begin with our $49 first-month intro offer — sign up online in a couple of minutes, then come to any class on the schedule that fits.

No experience needed, and athletic clothes are all you need for your first class. We'll take care of the rest when you get here.

No prior experience required. Many of our students start with no background in martial arts or grappling.

Tasks are scaled to your level — beginners train safely while experienced practitioners stay challenged. Everyone trains on the same mat.

Yes. We match you with training partners who push you, so you're getting challenging rounds and continuing to build an adaptable game — not coasting.

You can also use our open rounds five nights a week to work on any problems you want.

We're at 525 E Liberty St in downtown Ann Arbor, near the Michigan Theater and Graffiti Alley.

Parking options:

• Street parking — free mornings and evenings on surrounding streets
• Liberty Square Structure — closest paid structure to the gym
• Thompson Parking Structure — 508 Thompson St, free after 6:00 PM

Need help finding parking? Text us at 734-215-5870.

Our gym is No-Gi. Training is done in athletic gear — rash guards and shorts or spats. Some students wear gis occasionally, but there's no specific Gi class on the schedule.

We promote through the IBJJF ranking system. Belts come when the skill is there.

For your first class, basic athletic clothing is perfect. A t-shirt or rash guard with athletic shorts or sweatpants works great. Just avoid clothing with zippers, pockets, or hard buttons.

Once you decide to continue training, we'll help you get proper No-Gi attire.

We coach using the Constraints-Led Approach and Ecological Dynamics — modern frameworks grounded in motor learning and skill acquisition research.

Students develop skill through structured tasks, problem-solving, and live interaction with training partners. The method challenges new students in a good way — they're learning to think on the mat from day one — and keeps experienced students engaged with deeper problems to solve.

Read more on the Our Method page.

Your first month is $49 for everyone. After that: $149/month for adults and teens 13+, $125/month for Kids 8–12, and $100/month for Little Kids 4–7 — month-to-month, with no long-term contracts.

Full details on the Membership page.

We train 7 days a week with classes for adults and kids — midday and evening options on weekdays, 6:00 AM classes a few days a week, leg locks Friday and Saturday, and Standing — wrestling for BJJ — on Sunday evenings.

Full schedule on the Schedule page.

Three programs, kids through adult:

• Little Kids 4–7 — Tuesday and Thursday at 6:00 PM, starting September 15. Movement games, grappling basics, and listening skills
• Kids 8–12 — Monday through Thursday at 5:45 PM. Our method scaled for kids: games and live problem-solving in a structured, positive environment
• Adults & Teens 13+ — the full training schedule, all levels welcome

Age groups are a starting point, not a wall. With coach approval, a capable 7-year-old can move up to the 8–12 class, a ready 8+ can train adult times, and a 13-year-old can stay in kids if we think that's the safer fit.

Learn more on the Programs page.

First and foremost, do what best fits your schedule. If all you can make is twice a week — or even once — that's fine. Be focused and get the most out of every session.

That said, for new students we recommend attending All Levels 4x per week. That's enough to fully understand the curriculum and see maximum improvement. If 2 or 3 classes is all you can do, then do that.

This is about true skill change over the long term — consistency matters more than any single week.

Competition is optional. Some students enjoy competing in local and national tournaments — others train purely for personal development, fitness, or recreation. Both paths are fully supported.

For students who do want to compete, see the Compete page — the comp team, and the events we're traveling to next.

Let your coach know before class. Training tasks can be scaled or modified to work around most injuries and limitations.

For anything significant, check with your doctor first. We'll make sure your training is safe and productive within whatever constraints you're working with.

Yes — drop-ins are welcome for experienced practitioners visiting from out of town. We also host monthly community events and open mats that visiting grapplers are welcome at — check the schedule for the next one.

Text us at 734-215-5870 or email info@annarborbjj.com ahead of time — let us know your experience level and which class you'd like to hit, and we'll get you set up.

Yes. We're two blocks from U-M central campus, and members drive in from all over Washtenaw County — Ypsilanti, Saline, Dexter, Chelsea, Milan, Manchester, Whitmore Lake, Pittsfield Township, Scio Township, Superior Township, and Ypsilanti Township — plus nearby Canton, Plymouth, Belleville, Brighton, and South Lyon.

From Ypsilanti or EMU we're a 10–15 minute drive; Saline and Dexter are about 20. Evening classes start at 5:45, 6:00, 6:30, and 7:30 PM, so most people make it straight from work or school — and parking is easy.

See what the drive looks like from your town on the Near Ann Arbor page — or just start here.