942 N 95th St, Seattle, WA 98103, USA
Northwest Jiu-Jitsu Academy is one of the oldest and largest Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu schools in the Seattle area, taught by 4th-degree Machado black belt and 3-time world champion Brian J. Johnson.
I've been training for 8 years or so and this is the best gym I have been to with the absolute best instructor. Great place to train.
Extremely clean facility! Owner was super welcoming and has obviously set a wonderful culture for the gym. The coach for the evening, Joseph, was very thorough and added some really amazing details for my game. At the end of class, live training with both the coach and students was an absolute blast and I will 100% be coming back next time I am in town!
Great gym with friendly peers and high level instruction! Brian is professional, patient, and extremely detailed. Day classes have around 8 black belts regularly. This speaks volumes on the quality of this gym! Highly recommended!
Where do I start? Brian is one of the most patient, collected, and direct teacher’s I’ve worked with, and I’m a teacher myself. The community is nothing short of a mirrored reflection of the humility, respect, and levity that he brings everyday to both training on the mat, and his relationships with all the students. If you’re just starting BJJ, this is the place. If you’re experienced and are looking to take your game to the next level and join a welcoming and badass community, this is the place. See you there.
Dropped in here while visiting the area. Great gym. Clean mats with a nice strength/conditioning area. Technical instruction. Training partners in the 11AM class to suit a wide range of skill levels. Would feel comfortable here as a beginner or experienced competitor.
Excellent instruction and friendly environment.
Brian is an amazing instructor and his school is one of the best, and cleanest gyms around! Update edit: Going on 9 years of training and still feel this way.
Prof.Johnson is great martial artist, father and friend. I am impressed by his philosophy of Jiu-Jitsu. NWJJA is Forge of Champions and you always welcome here!
This is the absolute best place to learn and train Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Seattle. Professor Brian Johnson is not only an incredible competitor, he also provides world class instruction. There’s a great mat culture and an all round team of supportive students from all walks of life. It’s an immaculately clean facility free of egos. If you’re looking to try BJJ first time or are looking for a gym to drop into from out of town, I can’t recommend NWJJA enough.
Brian Johnson is the best martial arts teacher I know and he keeps the academy absolutely spotless. I have been a member here for almost 3 years and couldn't imagine training anywhere else!
The oldest BJJ gym in Seattle. One of the cleanest. A hidden gem. Technical teaching, wonderful people and peaceful atmosphere. Grab a beer next door after class.
I recently signed up for a membership here and I'm really digging it. I came in with no experience in martial arts and was nervous walking into the gym knowing nothing, but everyone has been super helpful and there have been no weird egos (lots of people were more than happy to show me how to tie my belt, which I am really appreciative of!). Brian learned my name immediately and he has a very clear coaching style, but also makes sure we are challenged so things dont get boring. I would highly recommend Northwest Jiu Jitsu Academy!
Prof. Brian Johnson is an excellent BJJ instructor and has a great deal of experience in other martial arts as well. As a former high school wrestler, I found the transition into BJJ to be very intuitive, it feels like an extension of my wrestling background. I've been attending class here for about 6 months. Even if you have no martial arts experience I highly recommend it.
At this point I have been to about five different BJJ schools and NWJJA is definitely my home base. Brian is a guy who clearly only has BJJ in his life. His passion and mastery is obvious. Though passion, national and world metals, and stripes on a black belt doesn't necessarily make for a good teacher, Brian consistently breaks everything down so that even the clunkiest beginner can understand both the how and why. He uses a curriculum for white and blue belts so that students know what is expected of them when it comes to belt testing. He has a couple other teachers on staff and Nick is particularly excellent. The school has an excellent welcoming culture and though they train hard they emphasis safety. The greatest testament I can give for this school is that every student is consistently excellent for their rank. It's located a bit far north but it's totally worth the commute.
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 Seattle area.
I can't say enough great things about this gym and about Prof. Brian Johnson. I was hesitant to start BJJ for lots of reasons. But Brian helped with everything along the way and has even gone out of his way to do private sessions with me to make sure I always feel 100% comfortable. The gym is very clean and does not smell at all compared to other gyms I have been to in the Seattle area. The community at the gym is friendly and everyone is super helpful, Brian has really created a great environment for everyone to learn from each other. The instruction from Prof. Brian is top notch, he is very passionate and a great teacher. He is great at explaining things and using analogies as well as super patient. Love this place!
Awesome dojo. Great teacher with lots of experience. He'll demonstrate a move and tell you what his experience on it is, as he actively uses it in competition. He also incorporates moves in self defense as well (i'm more interested in comp). Super cool guy that will answer any of your questions. Students here are chill as hell and are very helpful. I'm constantly asking for advice from the higher belts. All skill types and no egos here. love it.
Besides doing Aikido for a couple months, I'd never been a martial artist and found the thought of it intimidating. I'm glad I found NWJJA and Professor Brian Johnson. He is an excellent teacher and this comes from 1) being a masterful practitioner and lifetime student and 2) loving the sport of BJJ. The gym and the people reflect Professor Brian's personality--world class skill without arrogance, acceptance of all types of people, and dedication to helping students succeed as BJJ practitioners and human beings. I highly recommend just stopping by and visiting if you are even mildly curious about training BJJ.
Let me start off by saying Brian is an excellent instructor. He makes learning the techniques fun and easy and is clearly gifted at instructing others. Things are pretty informal for the most part in a fairly relaxed environment. The people are very cool at the gym and accepting to new people trying out BJJ. The gym feels like a family. Everyone is there to help each other to get better. Long story short, you will not find a much better BJJ gym than this one.
I joined Northwest Jiu Jitsu as a brown belt because I was looking for a more convenient place to train given where I work, and the fact that I can only train in the mornings. After reviewing the reviews here on Yelp, I decided to give it a try. After my first class, I knew this was the perfect place for me to continue training. I have now been training here for nearly a year, and couldn't be happier. Brian Johnson is a great teacher, talented Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioner, and extremely approachable when you have questions about techniques. When watching him teach, you can see that he has a real passion for Jiu-Jitsu and teaching. The facility and mats are immaculate, I've never seen a cleaner school. The students are extremely friendly - there are no egos here. I strongly recommend Northwest Jiu Jitsu to anyone looking to get into Jiu Jitsu for the first time, or if you are looking to change schools.
Clean mats. Good atmosphere. Few egos. The owner and head instructor is a world class BJJ practitioner and even better a world class coach. I've been doing sports all my life and Brian is one of the best I've ever had in any sport. I've been going here about 9 months now and it's always been a good experience. Lots of mat space and a small weight section in back. Brian's attention to detail is apparent in the way he teaches jiu jitsu and the way he keeps his facility clean.
I have trained at Northwest Jiu Jitsu for more than 4 years now. Brian has helped me more than any words could describe. I have lost weight and become fit and confident. I have met some of the greatest friends and individual could ever have at his academy. He is a inspirational person that has succeeded at the highest level of competition and is willing to share his experience and knowledge with us to make us better. His love for Jiu Jitsu is infectious. Most of all I have learned from Brian to believe in myself and never give up on your dreams. What you focus on is what you will succeed at!!! Thank you Brian. From a dedicated student.
Searched for the right BJJ school for about three years. For sure found it. I love this dojo and everyone in it.
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 self defense.
Northwest Jiu Jitsu Academy is a great place for you to learn. Not only does it host BJJ but, you could also learn self-defense training like Muay Thai, or Submission Wrestling. I am a new student to their kids BJJ program and i decided that it was worth it to tell the possibly future students that NWJJA is really reliable, and you will never be disapointed of Brian or Mike's teaching in the great school of NW Jiu Jitsu Academy.
My son trained in their youth classes for one year. I loved the vibe of this place. Professor Brian and Coach Mike are awesome instructors. Coach Mike does an amazing job with the kids-- not only teaching BJJ, but also life skills [self esteem, self control, respect, conscientiousness]. Solid BJJ program.
I started taking my youngest son here with the kids program and then my eldest got intrigued. Now both can't get enough. Mike who runs the kids lessons does a great job and Brian who runs the dojo is a world class instructor and competitor. Definitely worth checking out.
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