The best place to train jiu jitsu in Chicago. Elite instruction and a great place to learn and…read moregrow. The techniques are broken down so you understand why they work and so you can beat black beats, not white belts. It's also no gi, so it's more practical than gi gyms. Give it a try, you won't be disappointed

If u want to train with one of the best local schools look no further…read more Josh is a class act and u won't be disappointed !

Great gym with amazing people. Always talent in the room, and always tough rounds. Bernie and the…read moretop level team do a lot for the MMA and Martial Arts Community.

Last review of the decade! Gotta make it for one of my favorite businesses of all time. Top level…read morehas a little bit of everything for everyone. From kids to adults of all ages, beginner to training for matches or competitions, they have it all. They offer Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, Boxing, conditioning classes and a yoga class. The owners, coaches and professors are knowledgeable and eager to share and teach. Every one is so welcoming and it's like one big family here. From time to time they also have seminars with professionals in Muay Thai, Kali; I've been to several and they were such great experiences. If you're looking to compete, looking to get in shape, looking to learn some self-defense, or all of the above this is the place to go! Love Top Level!

AWESOME!!! Great staff, awesome people, great training environment, supportive environment,…read morewelcoming etc. They take care of first responders and military personnel with their special pricing structure. Also, they allow you attend "FREE" for 30 days in order for you to sign a contract. I mean who does that???? This place ROCKS!

I've been here for a little over a year now and since I'm leaving soon I feel like it's time to…read morewrite an update. A lot has changed here since then. New location, change in programming. The new facility is HUGE, a definite upgrade over the old place. Not only is there more mat space but a weights area and heavy bags. More than one classes can run at the same time which means a larger variety of classes, more advanced level Jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai and even two dedicated MMA classes a week. What has NOT changed is the quality of instruction, the friendly, laid back atmosphere and it's competition focus. All of the instructors there are really laid back-there are no formalities here, which makes it really easy to ask them for help with techniques or questions about how to do moves. Walk up to anyone for help or even some practice and they'll be more than happy to do so. A couple months ago, Mark the head instructor said it best: "this isn't a business, it's a family." You can tell from the beginning that this isn't just a school to just learn but a place where people come together to share a common interest, almost like a clubhouse. While I like the new facility and the space what I'm going to miss most is the people I get to see week after week.

I've been a member and friend of Degerberg Academy since 2007, but over the past 5 years or so Jiu…read moreJitsu has become my absolute favorite martial art. It's something of a healthy addiction. The more I roll the happier I get. I am a green belt under Robson Moura Nova Uniao so when my favorite teacher Branko announced he was opening his own RMNU school I followed him and his family over to the new Irving Park location so I can train at least 5x a week minimum. About Branko; he's unbelievably supportive. A few months ago he encouraged me to compete at the IBJJF Chicago Open and I took him up on it. We trained hard to get ready and the experience was life-changing. I lost 22 pounds and 3 pants sizes in just only 6 weeks. No crazy diet, no starving, Just healthy foods and Jiu Jitsu. Oh, and I gave my opponent at the tournament a very difficult time : ) Branko is a great teacher for anyone from absolute beginner to advanced blue and purple belts. He has limitless patience and loves the game with so much passion you can't help but get caught up in it yourself. He and his family are very friendly also so you get the feeling you are welcome right away.

Amazing Classes - Full Body Workout - Great Atmosphere - I'm Hooked!read more

I had the amazing opportunity to train at HQ with Andre Madiz and had the amazing pleasure to meet…read moremr Carlson Gracie Jr himself. Great guy and extremely humble and welcoming. Will definitely come Back to train here everytime I'm in Chicago

Carlson Gracie Jr. aka "The Prince of Jiu-Jitsu" is hands down the best coach anyone could ask for…read more His name speaks for itself, but anyone from a beginner to a professional athlete, can accomplish anything they wish to training at his gym. 10/10, highly recommended.

I recently contacted the owner, Pete, through their website to drop in and train while I was in…read moreChicago for business. He was very open about the idea (some gym owners aren't) and told me to download the class schedule off their website as it was modified due to Covid. After my visit I was pleasantly surprised by the level of Jiu Jitsu being taught by Pete as well as his students skill level. I was required to pay a small drop in fee, but it wasn't a big deal as I've been asked the same of several gyms I've visited. Overall I would definitely suggest you check out Rio Jiu Jitsu if you are in the Chicago area, I'm glad I did

So, to be completely honest I wanted my child to do martial arts but I didn't know the difference…read morebetween them all. Rio Jiu Jitsu opened up behind my house & I was still reluctant despite my husbands excitement to enroll our daughter there. Probably because I didn't know a lot about Jiu Jitsu. Well the first day we brought my daughter I fell in love with this place! Changed my mind in a second! They are so great there! Their kids classes are awesome! My daughter has grown so much in the short time she's been doing this! The coaches are so great with the kids! Firm but gentle. They give the children discipline & goals. I am so happy that we are there. There's a real sense of community there too. Everyone is welcoming! I can't wait to see my daughter grow there. She is determined to win a medal one day and I believe she can there!!

Very welcoming atmosphere -- clean and professional. Professor Marcelo and his team run a top notch…read moreoperation, and you won't find a better place around to learn BJJ, for either an adult or a child! My only regret is that I sat on the sidelines, waiting for so long, before giving it a try. "The best time to start training BJJ is 10 years ago. The second best time is now!"

I travel a lot and have had the opportunity to train in a lot of gyms. This is by far one of the…read morebest I've ever been to in the US. Everyone in the academy is all smiles all the time and it feels like a big family. It's one of the most rookie-friendly places I've been and also has an incredible talent pool in the students and coaches. Lots of freedom and encouragement to ask any question you want and it's easy to find a partner that either wants to go easy or is willing to ramp up the pace. Prof Marcello is a world class professor and kind of a legend. He was a multiple time Brazilian National Champion before moving to the states, and of all places, ended up teaching in Deerfield, IL. The depth of knowledge he has when asking about details of positions is insane and is a gentle reminder of how little I actually know. So cool to have been able to spend time in this academy.

Pretty gym, friendly people, great instructor, champion students and friendly helpful and you…read moreshould try it

I took an hour long train ride up to Evanston just to drop-in to the 6:30am class. This is by far…read morethe most beautiful BJJ school/gym I've ever been to. It is in a new shared space called Gym 1801. The gym is very modern and has locker rooms with all the amenities (towels, hair dryers, soap/shampoo/conditioner, etc.) The instructor and students in the class were both very helpful and friendly. There were also two other women there which was awesome to see. We started with a pummeling drill to warm-up then did about 30-40 minutes of drilling. We finished with some positionals then rounds of rolling. If you are visiting the northern Chicago/Evanston area you should definitely check out Serafin BJJ. The only downside is knowing what I'm missing out on when I go back to my home gym that's in a warehouse :'(