Bellum Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
655 Fairview Ave N suite 260, St Paul, MN 55104, USA
Discover premier Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in St. Paul Minneapolis! Expert instruction for all levels. Join us at Bellum BJJ today
655 Fairview Ave N suite 260, St Paul, MN 55104, USA
Discover premier Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in St. Paul Minneapolis! Expert instruction for all levels. Join us at Bellum BJJ today
I love Bellum. Everyone is welcoming, the instructors are amazing. I joined when I was going through a rough patch in life and training there helped my mental health so much. If I ever move back to the area I will 100% be going back to Bellum.
I dropped into Bellum BJJ during my short visit and it was a great experience. Coach Derek was very respectful and we got a super fun roll in. All of the members were very welcoming as well. The facility looks very clean and there’s plenty of space to train. If I make my way back in the Minneapolis area I’ll be sure to drop in again. It was great finding an early morning Saturday training session as well. A+ experience!
Coming up on one year training here and I've found my new home gym. After training at another local gym for twice the price for the past 5 years Bellum was a breath of fresh air. Black belt instructors at all the night classes and brown for all the lunch hour classes makes for unrivaled instruction. Open gym Saturdays is my favorite but also like the Friday nights where we can put on the gloves and spar. As a frequent traveler for work I've personally visited over thirty other gyms around the world (including five in the twin cities) so it's great to see so many visitors dropping in to Bellum; this was something my first gym didn't even allow which makes me wonder why. Bellum has a large open mats, windows for natural light, no weird rules about gis, separate locker room space, great hygiene policy, and plays a role in supporting charities that matter like WeDefy and adopt a cop because trained police keep everyone safer. Any type of grappler welcome and very diverse group. From hobbyists to competitors, male or female, young and old, and at 46 myself, I can say safety is clearly a priority! Just renewed...5 stars!
Dropped in while in town for work, and the coaches/members were amazing. Very open atmosphere with friendly/competitive rolls. Would definitely train here again if I'm back in the area!
Dropped in for open mat while visiting from out of town. Really friendly gym with good training. The owner Derek was friendly and helpful. Thanks!
Phenomenal gym. good vibes, and filled with people who's aims are to train well, and avoid dangerous training that leads to unnecessary injury. A great mix of likeminded individuals who want to grow both individually and as a gym collectively. Grateful for Derek and the rest of the excellent coaches.
Excellent instruction, supportive community, and affordable rates with no contracts. Training here has been transformational for me. It's awesome to be part of a place like this where people are pushing themselves and to witness the growth that takes place.
I've trained at many jiujitsu gyms around the country, and Bellum is a special place. They have some of the best instruction and cleanliness I've experienced. These types of gyms can seem very intimidating to newcomers, but the staff here is very welcoming and accommodating. If you're new, start at Bellum. If you're looking for somewhere to train from out of town, come to Bellum.
Great instructors, and group of people. Fun atmosphere and accommodating to all skill levels. Classes are the highlight of my week.
I have been training at Bellum since January ‘22. Great welcoming environment, and I’m a natural introvert. Derek, Richard, Brandon, and Fabio are excellent coaches. No egos. A bunch of people training for fun, fitness, and self-defense.
I've been going to Bellum BJJ for a couple of months and can't sing their praises enough. The owners Derek and Holly go out of their way to always make you feel welcomed, providing loaner GIs and encouraging words. The knowledgeable instructors each have their own styles of explaining technique, adding in their own perspectives from experience. I find the pace of the instruction to be really good, allowing individuals to be slow and steady or to progress more quickly if ready. The community there enables this style by sharing knowledge and working at your pace and level, where ever that may be, beginner or experienced. I did the free trial week and quickly realized that it was exactly the kind of personal challenge I've been looking for.
Derek runs a fantastic gym. I come from an affiliate gym, but I always feel welcome when I visit. Culture is important to me, and this gym has developed some done a great job vetting their guys!
Excellent training facility. Having cerebral palsy it is always a concern how patient instructors will be with my lack of flexibility. However, everyone here is great and very encouraging. My girlfriend’s daughter did the kids class and really enjoyed it.
I went to the women’s self defense class and it was amazing. I learned a few fundamentals. I hope to be back soon. Great teachers and everyone was so nice. Everyone was extremely welcoming.
Awesome dojo to learn Bjj and the people there are great and nice. Come check it out.
Excellent classes and very welcoming group. I just regret I didn’t join sooner.
Bellum has been our gym for years - just about since they opened. We started our son in the kids class when he was about 6-years old and he thrived! The instructors are firm, but don’t have expectations the kids can’t meet. They teach about being the bully and about being the victim of bullying. My son has ADHD and social issues, but Bellum found his strengths and emphasized them to help him learn leadership skills. They are encouraging and teach respect. It’s so beautiful to watch a child who had some behavioral and social challenges come into his own and I definitely credit Bellum for a lot of that influence. My husband has also trained there when his work schedule has allowed and loves the training techniques. They are knowledgeable and skilled. The gym is always clean. We’ve been to other gyms and they just don’t compare. We’ll be attending Bellum for all BJJ training without hesitation!
Bellum is a wonderfully woman-friendly BJJ. Prof Derek teaches BJJ very methodically. As an academic, I observe Derek's teaching methodology very closely and even apply some of his approaches to my classroom while teaching history to my students. Bellum is a lifetime learning place. Strongly recommending.
Bellum balances top-notch instruction and solid workouts with a chill non-competitive vibe…best intro to BJJ that I could imagine! Great for my kids. And exactly what I was hoping for as a former college athlete.
As one of the newer members at Bellum, everyone has been very welcoming. This is a great academy, great instructors, and a great group of people.
Awesome place to feel truly invested in as a student. They take time to correct technique but also have a great atmosphere for competitive but safe training!
I started my BJJ journey 2 plus years ago. I lived close to Bellum and drove by a hundred times before I worked up the courage to walk through the door. I had (and still do to a degree) dealt with self-esteem issues and depression and Bellum has been one of the best things to have happened to me to help me deal with all of that. It's such a welcoming environment with people from all different walks of life. The coaches are all encouraging and supportive and are always willing to help and talk about more than just Jiu-Jitsu if you have something on your mind. All the higher belts have always been great with being patient and helping out all the new people. Overall it's a fantastic place to go if you're considering starting BJJ no matter your reason.
Super good bjj school the teachers dereck and Fabio have a great knowledge and super good vibes . 101% recommend
Bellum cultivates a fantastic culture of camaraderie, learning, and coach engagement. The coaches, Fabio and Derek, both pride themselves on teaching tactful Jiujitsu and using the full breath of their skill to work with each student. One of the most unique aspects of Bellum is that both coaches give insightful feedback after class to ensure student growth and development. You are not just a number here, you are a valued student. This culture results in an environment where everyone feels valued, safe, and respected. In addition to that foundation, Bellum has fantastic talent with many higher belts who share the Bellum culture. This is a great place to learn/ hone your skills! Lots of rolling. I highly recommend this gym for both Adults and kids.
This dojo is legit and has my full respect. Those who teach are men of character. Those who watch their kids practice, seem to eventually end up joining the adult class. It's just that good.
𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁, 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗯𝗼𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 Fabio is a funny guy who will make you feel welcomed at Bellum from the moment you step in. He also is an excellent instructor. With his more than 30 years of experience, he knows exactly what works, and what you need as a beginner. Or as he once said to me “I only teach stuff that works”. Derek is the best instructor I have ever had, and I had a lot over the course of my life. He is very dedicated, a passionate practitioner of the sport, and moreover, he seems to genuinely care about every single of his students. This clearly goes beyond the usual instructor-student-relationship I know. Moreover, he recognizes immediately what you have to improve, his instructions are very clear, and you can tell he has a genuine interest in answering your questions. As a former instructor for children in my Karate school, I can tell, your children are in good hands. Another aspect that sets these instructors apart from other ones is that they not only teach you how to fight on the ground, but also how to get there. In addition, they keep the self-defense aspect in mind. E.g., Fabio did a series of techniques with an emphasis on self-defense for a few weeks. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 The group is simply great. Everyone is nice and supportive. Not a single unlikeable person. As it should have become obvious from the heading, the group alone is worth joining Bellum. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 Arguably the ultimate sport. A full body workout, very low risk of injury. It never gets boring because the possibilities are sheer endless, and it is demanding. On top of it, you learn a lot for self-defense. I feel like I have learned more for self-defense in four months than in eight years of Karate. 𝗜𝗻 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁 Join Bellum! You will be glad you did.
Training BJJ for 3 years now at Bellum, this place is literally my second home, people are supportive, encouraging and pushing you to be better. Derek and Fabio are excellent coaches, it’s hard to describe everything in a review, but if you’re in Twin Cities and trying to get into martial arts as a novice or intermediate who wants advanced partners with good attitude, you need to come to Bellum! 💯
Top tier place. Went for a couple months. Learned a worlds worth of knowledge. I will be coming back later this year. See you soon Derrick :)
Gorilla Combat is proud to be an affiliate of Bellum BJJ! We have had a wonderful experience with them. Derek and Fabio have been over to do seminars and sometimes just to drop in a class and see how things are going. We have also had upper belts coming in to lead classes and help us continue to grow our program. They are always only a text or call away and have been nothing but helpful to us. Thank you Bellum BJJ!!!!
I have been training here for a year and a half and I’ve liked it ever since I started. Derek and Fabio are great instructors.
Was very happy with my experience at Bellum BJJ. Derek and all of his coaches were very helpful to not only myself but also our kids/teens that attended the Roland Larson seminar! Highly recommend if you’re in the St. Paul area and want to learn self defense don’t miss out on this great program ran by high quality and friendly black belts!!
I went for a women’s self defense training and it was so empowering! I’ve never had a self defense class before and had no ideas what to expect. I was not disappointed. Fabio was funny but right to the point kinda guy. He showed us techniques that were realistic and walked us through different levels of awareness, which is something we don’t really think about in our day to day life’s, at least I don’t. This was fun class and I would definitely like to learn more about how to protect myself and have my daughter learn too when she’s old enough to do the kid classes there! I also liked how Derek, the owner, was in the class with us. It’s cool he cares about the other classes taught besides the jujitsu training there.
I went to the woman’s self defense class a few weeks back with a few of my girlfriends. I just want to give a huge shout out to Fabio and Derek for teaching this class and for their great communication/demonstration. It was very informative and also a good life skill to have. I recommend this for any lady that wants to learn self defense.
I went to an all women’s session with a couple of my girlfriends, not really knowing what to expect. Thankfully I wore workout attire, because boy, was this a killer workout! Core, glutes, shoulders, lats-ok total body sums it up in a nutshell! You are taught how to use your body mechanics to create natural force in order to defend yourself against much larger, I.e. “stronger” individuals. They also address the importance of the mental aspect of self awareness and being attuned to your surroundings, which was very enlightening. The true acid test was that I went home and tested out a couple moves on my boyfriend who is around 260 lbs (I’m 135) and they worked! All around this was a great experience. I felt more empowered and stronger than ever! I would definitely return and bring my 9 yr old daughter, as I feel the gift of empowerment through being confident in your ability to defend yourself, a priceless gift!
I have been training at Bellum for a little over a year and have only good things to say. The instruction is top shelf and the place has a great vibe. No matter what your level, Bellum has something to offer you!
This is an amazing gym! As a total beginner, I felt welcomed by all of the staff and members from day one. Bellum provides a constructive and challenging training experience while providing the necessary fundamentals to build your game upon. I would recommend this gym to beginners and experienced students alike.
Bellum is hands down the place to train bjj if you live in the twin cities. Derek and Fabio are great instructors, that know how to personalize and adapt to each individual student. You'll get a lot more then just a gym training here, it really is a community that helps create drive and purpose outside of your 9-5 job.
My daughter absolutely loves attending classes at Bellum. She never wants to miss a day. As a parent, I fully appreciate the instructors who expect the best out of every student, and who provide a fun yet disciplined environment that serves as a space for growth both physically and mentally.
Great place to train. Derek and Fabio are two of the best teachers. They both give one on one attention and will break down any move for easy understanding. The whole team is a wonderful group of people
Excellent gym. I have trained here for quite awhile and highly recommend. Very welcoming with excellent coaches and teammates to learn from
When I travel to Minnesota I always check out this jiu jitsu school it’s a great environment and the instructors are Great! I recommend checking out this gym if you are in Minnesota:)
Well run classes with professional instructors and clean facilities
Friendly environment. Some of the most fun I have ever had.
My daughter and both I train at Bellum for close to 3 years now. They say time goes quick when you're having fun and it is true. It's been a really awesome journey for the both of us and a great decision. We have made new friends and my daughter has gained a tremendous amount of confidence in herself learning and training at Bellum. You'll notice right away that the owners are super friendly, very hard working and dedicated. I would recommend joining to anyone thinking about getting their child or themselves involved in trying out the sport. You can't go wrong.
I travel frequently for work and always try to find somewhere to train while away. All I can say is that I am glad I found Bellum. Fabio's class was great and I loved his style of teaching. He started with a basic technique and then developed and made it flow through into an entire series that offered a multitude of options in the event one fails. The facility was also clean and everybody was very friendly and great to roll with. I would recommend anybody in Minneapolis or St. Paul check Bellum out.
Whether you are an adult or youth , this is The place. Tremendous attention to detail in training and direction. School is extremely clean and organized. Family oriented. Kids will feel safe to learn and have fun. Coaches are well trained and ready to help you reach your goals. It is an honor to have Derek on our team! Highly recommend it! #wearezenith
My BJJ journey has grown exponentially since I have returned to Bellum. I have been to other gyms and the care and personal instruction I receive here from each instructor is phenomenal. Each instructor makes it their goal to have a one on ones as much as possible during class so we understand each technique.
The instructors here are very wise and down to earth. Also patient with everybody and willing to step in to correct at the right time. The environment here is friendly and welcoming.
Was visiting Minneapolis from out of town and stopped in for an open mat. Everyone was super nice and accommodating and the facilities were great. I would definitely recommend Bellum to anyone in Minneapolis looking to train.
I mostly train at another gym, but drop in here for open mats and the occasional class. Derek and Brian are great guys, and the instruction is very good; detailed, attentive, helpful.
I just started in BJJ a few months ago and can't be more happy and impressed with the instructors and community at Bellum! This is an ego-free environment full of great people!
This is the best gym to learn BJJ because Derek and Brian the instructors are masters at Jiu-Jitsu and teaching it, they're also really nice, and it's really chill here and everybody treats you respectfully. There are also many different belts here to give you advice.
The best experience in BJJ I've had in the Twin Cities. I enjoy every class overall just a great environment and staff.
It's been about a month since I've started bjj and I have to say my experience with bellum from their instructors Brian and Derek to the students have been most welcoming, it can be somewhat intimidating starting something new especially a martial art and I have felt nothing short of joining their family with open arms I'm 41 and I'm so glad I chose bellum for my journey.
My son and daughter both enjoy the classes and the instructor.
Wow, wow, wow. I cannot say enough about this academy! The coach that instructs has improved my technique greatly. His teaching style is extremely informative. He explains moves so that every belt and skill level can grasp. When "competition" time is around, he explains the rules that everyone should know and will be there to coach the ones that need special attention. Bellums kid and young adult classes are very well ran. The coaches are very intuitive to the kids and make them comfortable in uncomfortable positions. I highly recommend Bellum Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to every skill level. ❤️
Went for am open mat and the owner or instructor was rude once he found out where I train. Kept making the comment "at any of the legitimate schools around here..." I think a second degree black belt from one of the most respected names in BJJ means we're "legitimate".
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