Northwest Jiu Jitsu Academy — Local services in Seattle

I have been training here for over a year now and wanted to write a thorough review.

I need to take time to commend Brian Johnson, Owner and Operator on a wonderful establishment. For anybody who wants to train in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu or who has kids that want to take up this amazing martial art, you must try out Northwest Jiu Jitsu Academy.

Now, on to the review.

Facilities:

The mats are new and meticulously maintained. There are no hard spots, flat spots, or gaps in the mats. They are cleaned once a day (if not more) with a clean mop and cleaning solution. If you have ever wrestled or trained at other gyms, you would know how important this is. I wont name other gyms, but several that I have trained in even allow shoes on the mats. Not here. It doesn't fly. There are two separate mats that allow different instructions to take place or to break out the sparring sessions by weight groups.

There is a workout area with free weights, TRX type bands, and even a couple of tractor tires used for circuit training on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. You don't have to be a super athlete to come in and get fit. The core group is both men and women ages 20-60. Training lasts for about 40 minutes and is designed to improved lean muscle mass and overall flexibility. No crazy bodybuilders here. It's a team environment with support from your friends and coaches.

There is a changing area with wall shelves. There are two VERY clean bathrooms available. The only bad part is that there aren't showers. But, it's not a big deal because nobody really has time to shower in a small gym. If you want a workout facility with a shower, Gold's Gym is a block and a half away. There is also a waiting room for kids and families who are hanging out during sessions.

Parking is easy. There is plenty of street parking and a lot on the back side of the building. No issues getting there and finding parking.

The Staff:

For those of you who don't know. Brian Johnson is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu World Champion. With that being said, there are no egos in this gym. Whether you are a seasoned black belt or a first time white belt, everyone is welcome. If you want to come in, learn something, meet new people, and get in shape while learning a great form of martial arts, this place is the best.

Many BJJ gyms are chaotic and confusing. Brian has built a program around structured learning that cycles through positions, drills, and techniques that help build the foundation for skills needed to progress. His instructional ability is second to none and his passion and charisma shine with every class he teaches. Many instructors get to his position and become the face of the gym while he has his students teach. Brian is hands on and is in the gym every single day. On certain days however, he will ask his experienced students to teach their favorite moves and techniques. Denise, Jake, and Chris all have a ton of experience and add to learning at Northwest Jiu Jitsu Academy.

If you want to compete in tournaments, you also have that option. I have competed at several tournaments under Brian and have received a ton of support, encouragement and coaching throughout the process. Whatever your goals are, you can reach them and Northwest Jiu Jitsu Academy.

Overall: This is a great place to train. It's big enough that you can find people to train with any time you are there and it's not so big that you can't get face time with the main instructor. There is time to ask questions, practice technique and learn everything about BJJ.

I strongly suggest this gym to anybody looking to martial arts as a hobby, fitness routine, competition, or...

Training at Northwest Jiu-Jitsu has been an incredible and transformative experience!!

First and foremost, the facility is truly exceptional. With ample mat space, a well-equipped changing room, and top-notch strength training equipment, it offers everything needed to support both Jiu-Jitsu practice and general fitness. The cleanliness and organization of the space further enhance the overall training environment.

Coach Brian and his team excel at clearly and effectively communicating the intricacies of Jiu-Jitsu to practitioners of all levels. They break down each technique into manageable steps, showing incredible patience and willingness to repeat the process as many times as needed to ensure every student fully grasps the technique and can execute it with confidence. There was one example, where I was struggling with locking my partner's arm down while in guard. Coach Brian patiently broke the technique down for me, helping me understand where I was going wrong, and then watched me until I executed the repetition correctly. Countless examples such as this that highlight why Coach Brian and his team are amazing! Their curriculum is thoughtfully structured, evidence-based, and meticulously designed to ensure comprehensive learning. Coach Brian and his team are not only world-class instructors but also accomplished competitors, with resumes that speak volumes about their expertise and credibility!

The quality of training here is outstanding, with each session covering a wide range of material and providing ample opportunities for repetition and mastery of techniques.

The community at Northwest Jiu-Jitsu is warm and welcoming. Fellow practitioners are incredibly friendly and generous with their time, always eager to assist with technique refinement. They prioritize high-quality repetitions, ensuring that you improve both in volume and precision. There is a genuine sense of camaraderie here, with everyone supporting one another's growth and celebrating each other's successes. The culture is built on mutual respect, encouragement, and a shared commitment to helping each other become the best versions of themselves. And, of course, there's plenty of laughter along the way!

If you're seeking world-class instruction in Jiu-Jitsu and strength training, in an outstanding environment with a supportive and vibrant community, Northwest Jiu-Jitsu is the...

Like quite a few NWJJA students, I came from a long martial arts background before I got ‘bitten’ by the Jiu-Jitsu bug around 2004 or 2005-ish. Back then there wasn’t a lot of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to be found in the greater Seattle area, and I actually found Brian through another school (MKG Seattle), where he taught a Saturday class at the time.

Watching one class was all I needed to see that Brian was (is) an excellent instructor. He is organized, thorough, and breaks things down in a way that makes everything seem easy. I didn’t know anything about grappling at the time, but I could spot a good martial arts instructor when I saw one.

In addition, he has vastly more overall grappling experience (including wrestling and Judo) than most BJJ instructors in the area -- not to mention multiple world championships and many, many trips to the podium at some of the highest levels of Brazlian Jiu Jitsu competition.

NWJJA is also 100% independent. It is not a franchise operation, nor rigidly bound by IBJJF (Internationl Brazilian JiuJitsu Federation) rules or curriculums. * Brian teaches virtually all of his classes and rolls with his students. *

I’ve been training at NWJJA for many years (13+) now, receiving my black belt in January 2017. In those years, and Brian and NWJJA have grown by leaps and bounds, with many black belts and advanced ranks. I truly believe Brian offers some of the highest-caliber BJJ training in the greater...