Brazilian jiu-jitsu in Flint, Michigan
Real jiu-jitsu.For everyone.
Brazilian jiu-jitsu for competitors, hobbyists, total beginners, and kids as young as three. Real coaching that holds up under pressure, in a room with no ego and no contracts.
Youth 1 starts with one free session. All other programs start with a free 14-day trial.
New here? See how training works at Great Lakes BJJ or view the class schedule and book your first session.
What makes it different
Most gyms make you choose.
Serious. And welcoming.
High-level coaching that holds up under real pressure, in a room that is genuinely glad you walked in. You don't have to pick one.
Beginners. And competitors.
Brand new on day one, or prepping for a tournament. Same building, same mats, with a group lesson and questions welcome.
Hard. And fun.
Kids learn technique that actually works, and they love doing it. Adults get pushed, and leave lighter. Both, on purpose.
New here? See how training works at Great Lakes BJJ or view the class schedule and book your first session.
Who trains here
A place for whoever you are.
- Total beginners. Most of the room started exactly there. The beginner program starts you with staying calm and getting out of bad spots.
- Competitors. Real preparation, structured rounds, and coaching that holds up at the highest levels. Compete if you want to. It is never required.
- Kids and teens. Ages three to fifteen, coached by a world champion to actually win and behave, not just burn off energy.
- Whole families. Parents and kids under one roof, often in the same week. One trip, everybody trains.
New here? See how training works at Great Lakes BJJ or view the class schedule and book your first session.
Don't take our word for it
The proof is in the room.
A perfect balance of competitive enough to get better and compete but welcoming enough that it's a good environment regardless of your training goals.Taylor Davis, Google review
- 100+ five-star Google reviews
- The most of any jiu-jitsu gym around Flint.
- Two owners on the mat every week
- A 2022 World Champion and a former pro fighter.
- Building it by hand since 2016
- From a worn-down church and theater. Still being built.
New here? See how training works at Great Lakes BJJ or view the class schedule and book your first session.
A class for everyone
Find your class.
- Jiu-Jitsu in Flint, program overview
- Adult Jiu-Jitsu, gi and no-gi
- Beginner's Jiu-Jitsu
- Kickboxing
- Combat Conditioning
- Fight Prep
- Kids, ages 3 to 4, parent assisted
- Kids, ages 5 to 8
- Kids, ages 8 to 12
- Teens, ages 13 to 16, trained with the adults
New here? See how training works at Great Lakes BJJ or view the class schedule and book your first session.
Before you start
Common questions before you start.
- Can I start jiu-jitsu if I feel nervous or out of shape?
Yes. Great Lakes BJJ welcomes beginners, returning students, and people who feel unsure at first. Class follows the coach's group lesson, but you can ask questions, rest when needed, and skip live rounds.
If you want to know exactly what your first two weeks look like before you walk in, see what your first two weeks actually look like.
- Is the first class safe for someone with no experience?
Jiu-jitsu is a contact sport, so no class is risk-free. Tell a coach you are new, tap or stop when needed, and sit out live rounds if you want. Live rounds are always optional.
- What should I do before my first class?
Bring water and clean training clothes, and arrive early enough to get settled. For a gi class, bring your own clean gi because Great Lakes BJJ does not provide loaner gis. Check in and tell a coach you are new.
When you are ready, view the class schedule and book your first session.
- Do I need to be aggressive to train here?
No. The culture is calm, respectful, and low ego. Training focuses on learning, safety, and steady progress for adults and kids in Flint, MI.
Ready to step on the mat? Pick a beginner class time that fits.
- I have never done a martial art before. Will I be lost on day one?
Some of the first class will feel unfamiliar. Beginner-designated sessions sometimes run separately and sometimes combine with all levels. Check in, tell a coach you are new, follow the group lesson, and ask questions when you need help.
If you would like to preview the structure before you arrive, see how training works at Great Lakes BJJ.
- Do I need to be in shape before my first jiu-jitsu class?
No. Many new students build conditioning through training itself. The drills follow the coach's group lesson, but you can rest when needed, get water, and sit out live rounds.
- I am mentally drained after work. Will training make that worse?
Most students find the opposite. Jiu-jitsu requires just enough focus that your work brain switches off, and the physical reset usually leaves people calmer, not more tired. Adults regularly tell us evening class is the part of the day they sleep best after.
Evening classes are listed alongside morning options on the schedule, so you can pick a slot that fits the energy you actually have. Find an evening slot that fits your week.
- Can my child and I train at the same gym?
Yes. Great Lakes BJJ runs separate kids and adult programs in the same building, and many families train together, kids in their age-appropriate class while a parent trains in the adult class, or back to back so the family travels once.
Coaches will help you map out a weekly rhythm that fits school, work, and bedtime when you visit.
- What ages do you accept in the kids program, and is it safe?
The kids program is built for school-age children and groups them by age and experience so partners are an appropriate match. Sessions emphasize listening, control, and respectful partner work. There is no hard sparring for new kids, and coaches stay hands-on with the group the entire class.
Parents are welcome to watch any class before signing their child up.
- How early should I arrive and what happens in the first 15 minutes?
Arrive early enough to find the door and get settled. We do our best to greet every new student, but classes can get busy. If nobody catches you, check in and ask a coach a question, or follow the other members onto the mat when class starts.
If you want the full pre-arrival checklist, see the full pre-arrival walkthrough.
- Where is the nearest jiu-jitsu gym in Flint, Michigan?
Great Lakes BJJ is located at 2014 Zimmerman Street in Flint, MI 48503. The gym offers jiu-jitsu and kickboxing for adults, kids, and families. Most students drive 10 to 15 minutes from surrounding areas including Grand Blanc, Burton, Davison, Flushing, and Swartz Creek.
If you are looking for jiu-jitsu near you in Genesee County, check the class schedule and book a free visit.
- Do you serve areas outside of Flint like Grand Blanc and Burton?
Yes. While the gym is in Flint, members come from across Genesee County and beyond. Grand Blanc, Burton, Davison, Flushing, Swartz Creek, Clio, and Mt. Morris are all well represented. The central Flint location keeps the drive short from most directions.
New here? See how training works at Great Lakes BJJ or view the class schedule and book your first session.
Still have a question?
Send us a note and we’ll get back to you — contact the gym directly.
Flint,let's go.
Youth 1 starts with one free session. All other programs start with a free 14-day trial.
New here? See how training works at Great Lakes BJJ or view the class schedule and book your first session.
We'll handle the rest.