1250 Bardstown Rd Suite 12, Louisville, KY 40204, USA
Rough Hands BJJ is an independent, boutique, training center specializing in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Submission Grappling. Founded and forged in Louisville, Kentucky. Classes for beginners and for ages 4 years and up.
There is a mustache cult but the lead instructor always has solid advice like “don’t be there”, “just stand up”, and “fight for it”. Really revolutionized my game.
I found Rough Hands several years ago while looking for martial arts classes for my kids. My kids were too young for a lot of other places in town at that time and many of the others I looked into were insanely overpriced. After the first class I took my girls to and meeting Shelby and Jesse I knew we were in the right spot. They were both patient with my kids and excellent coaches who really know how to break down techniques into easy to learn pieces for both kids and adults. They are easy to talk to and make their classes fun. I now take classes at Rough Hands as well and it’s helped me to get into shape and feel confident that I could defend myself should I ever need to plus classes are always a lot of fun. There really is something for everyone and whether you’re brand new to martial arts or you’ve trained before you’re welcome at Rough Hands! Come hit some shit with us! UPDATE: I’m still training at Rough Hands! This is the longest I’ve ever stuck with any kind of fitness routine and Rough Hands is 100% the reason. This place is like my second family and I wouldn’t want to train anywhere else. Between BJJ, yoga and strength training/conditioning classes I’m always way there and Rough Hands is like my home! After almost 6 years I’m in much better shape than I ever thought I’d be at 41 years old and I can’t wait to see what the next years at Rough Hands bring!
The staff and members at Rough Hands are some of the most welcoming people in the bjj community. The teaching is top notch, and it is beginner friendly AND great for the experienced practitioners as well. 10/10, would recommend, and I've visited a LOT of bjj gyms.
Rough hands is the first experience I have had in a martial arts gym. I find my first exposure to things sets the tone for my overall view on the topic and in this case it is exceptional. I fully endorse rough hands and trust Shelby and Jesse. I have never felt more comfortable being uncomfortable!
Rough Hands is a great place to learn BJJ. Both the Teachers and other Students are very friendly and helpful! here we place a heavy emphasis on providing a safe and enjoyable experience. The community you'll find here is truly special.
Great place to train sport, practice at art, and think street BJJ. Great coaches, train without injury, and keep it strategically playful. Check out some of the video resources on the RH YouTube channel. Personally, I've been taking classes for over a year and have loads of choices and opportunities to participate in great seminars.
This was my first bjj gym and it genuinely skyrocketed my progress, if you take Jesse’s class seriously 2-3 months of work can beat someones year. I questioned myself until I rolled at other gyms and realized Jesse is beyond legit and a unicorn, I made the transition to mma early and this gym only does grappling but I seriously feel like I’m missing out on something when I’m not there.
Japanese ju jutsu hear is good and learn good techniques and very clean gym and mats are cleaned after every class.only think I will say about the Japanese ju jutsu in general is you can some times do the same stuff and get bored with it.its good for no gi judo plus it's a safe look out place and handy its near a subway and two different ways for parking.
This gym/academy is incredibly welcoming, inviting and well maintained. The staff and students are of a high caliber, both as people and practitioners. I say this as someone who suffers from social anxiety and generally feels uneasy and awkward in any new situation, let alone situations involving combat. Rough Hands has offered me a safe haven to comfortably and competently train BJJ without pressure or anxiousness while simultaneously pushing me to push myself. I can’t say enough good things about this establishment and those who own, operate and attend.
Great place to train sport, practice at art, and think street BJJ. Great coaches, train without injury, and keep it strategically playful. Check out some of the video resources on the RH YouTube channel.
Posted 2 years agoI was in town for a few days and stopped by for a no-gi BJJ class. The instructor, Jesse, was extremely helpful and technical while answering all questions I had. I come from another MMA focused gym and he was happy to discuss the differences for positions between the sports. Overall, I’d highly recommend this gym and will be stopping by every time I’m in the area. Thanks Jesse and team!
Excellent instructors & training environment.
I have been training BJJ at RH for a month and absolutely love it! The trainers are great. RH has a friendly environment where you can learn and grow. I would highly recommend RH!!
Highly recommend Rough Hands! I enjoy yoga with Shelby and my son is in Japanese Ju Jitsu and we both are really happy with our experience. Shelby and Jesse create a fun and active atmosphere. Check it out!
Fantastic, welcoming atmosphere. While it can be a little intimidating to start a new sport such as BJJ, Jesse and Shelby welcome you like family from day one. No pressure environment with the best teachers!!!
I do Krav here and appreciate we cover effective techniques from various resources. The practical teaching approach works. We also cover mental/emotional aspects of altercations which is just as important. There is come sparring which is something many self defense schools lack and so are never tested. The environment is spacious and pretty laid back but not lazy. No judgement here, no hoops to jump through, nor egos. Jesse and Shelby are both friendly and have some good stuff share. If you want to learn to fight or have something cool to do outside the house or gain some confidence, give it a go.
best school to learn wrist locks
The most welcoming and weird group you'd ever want to train with.
Great place; great people; great programs!
Full of nice people, great instruction and inquiring minds.
This place is where you need to be if you're looking for anything from fitness to mindset change to getting a good laugh in. Jesse and Shelby have become such important figures in my life. Shelby teaches yoga without the spiritual and that has helped me get into yoga and stretching. Jesse teaches BJJ in a way that is not as complicated and understands my immense amounts of questions I typically have. This place is comfortable while pushing your boundaries at time. The people at the gym is another plus factor. The community is safe and encouraging. Rough Hands is where you need to be.
If I could give more than 5 stars I would. Rough Hands has changed my life. It’s boosted my self-esteem, made me confident in the fact that I could protect myself when needed and I’ve met a bunch of lovable weirdos who I always look forward to seeing at classes. 12/10 recommend coming to Rough Hands.
Its has been about two and a half years since I first walked into Rough Hands, and I can say that was one of the best decisions I have ever made. And I have been back, almost everyday since that first day. I could go on and on about the amazing display of teaching prowess, variety of skills, attention to personal detail, or just genuine interest in showing people that they can do this, but I won't. Go, and find out for yourself. They have given me tools to not only teach myself, but to be more teachable for the future. Whatever you're looking for, the people at rough hands help you find it in yourself.
Fantastic yoga! Great place
Just started and cannot emphasize how much fun it is. Great facilities, convinent location/hours, and really awesome folks.
As a queer, trans person, I knew I had to be thoughtful and careful about what jiu-jitsu gym I chose. Choosing Rough Hands was (without a doubt) the right choice for me! Not only is it a queer-affirming and trans-affirming space, it offers a safe, inviting space to explore what my body is capable of. Starting a combat sport, a self defense practice, or any kind of exercise can be very vulnerable. Rough Hands provides coaching support that makes training fun, exciting, and approachable. I highly recommend Rough Hands to people of all ages, all genders, all bodies!
These folks are truly welcoming and generous with their time, knowledge, and patience. I feel challenged yet not overly intimidated in these mixed level classes. I highly recommend to anyone at any experience level.
Visiting from out of town and found Jessie very knowledgeable and welcoming. Great facilities and I like his teaching style. We learned a ton and he's got some good students as well.
Great coaching and incredible people! Regardless of your experience or your goals, anyone is welcome here with open arms. If you're at all curious about learning some self-defense, improving your fitness, training for fun or even competing, you won't find a more welcoming environment.
My daughter has really enjoyed the classes. Shelby and Jesse have been great!
Such a kind, inclusive, fun, patient, and supportive group. I am new to the sport and felt so welcome the moment I walked through the door. Each class feels approachable yet challenging and leaves me excited for the next one. Highly recommend.
I have been training at Rough Hands for three years. I take part in the yoga and BJJ programs. Both Jesse and Shelby are skilled and talented instructors. They have created a welcoming space for everyone to experience yoga and self defense. You owe it to yourself to check out what they have to offer.
My 9 year old started BJJ at Rough Hands a couple of months ago and he loves it! The instructors are great and class times are convenient! Definitely recommend.
The instructors here are awesome. They go out of their way to include everyone and make sure everyone is learning.
Been going weekly for about 5 months. What else is there to say besides its an awesome place! The instructors are not only knowledgable but are excellent teachers as well. They keep the mood light and every class you have the opportunity to improve. 5 stars.
Fantastic, friendly, and knowledgable coaching and community. Definitely recommend to anyone in the area interested in fighting, self defense, fitness, or a mix thereof.
I've been here for a couple months, and let me tell you, there is a lot of Judo;)
I totally recommend this place! Great atmosphere to comfortably learn.
A gym for everybody - the coaches are attentive to everyone no matter their skill set. This place is more than just a gym, you can learn technique, burn off stress and calories among people that you will like hanging with, a framily atmosphere. Krav classes are not choreographed fighting more real-life self defense techniques. The Jiu Jujitsu class is not just cool moves, there is a foundation being taught so you can find and develop your best Jits game. Mitt madness is exactly that, throw punches learn technique, burn calories and let the stress melt off. Yoga class will help you with all the other classes. Its not a uptight do it exactly like the instructor does class. More of a guided Yoga class that everyone can participate in no matter your size or flexibility. You have to try it at least once!
More than just a gym, but a welcoming family working together to continuously help each other improve every session. Jesse, Shelby and Shea are amazing coaches and people. I have learned so much from them and everyone I have trained with over the years. They have something to offer EVERYONE at any level and at reasonable price, whether it’s Krav Maga, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Striking, Conditioning or Yoga. Try it out. Step through those doors and change your life, improve your fitness levels and defense and join the family.
The most welcoming gym I've set foot in. Beautiful, talented, grounded, and funny, they will get you where you want to be. Beware, they will become family.
Awesome gym, cool/laid back atmosphere, tried out a few gyms before hand and the instruction here is top notch. Big supporters of military/LE also!
Highly recommend. - I have been going to classes at Rough Hands for a few months now - both BJJ and Krav. I can't say enough good things about the owners/instructors - they are definitely invested in their clients and tailor each class specific to who shows up that day, making sure everyone is getting something out of it.
Great place and great instructors. You automatically feel apart of the team.
From day one, the folks at Rough Hands have made me feel included and offered encouragement, while pushing me to challenge my whiny, exercise-hating butt. It’s clear that Jesse and Shelby care about really helping you train, and learn to defend yourself. They have a thoughtful, reasonable approach to what they teach, rather than following a script, and they leave ego, drama and other bs out of it. The camaraderie between students makes me look forward to getting my butt kicked. At Rough Hands you’re in a room full of people that you want on your team. And you want to be on theirs.
Great group of people that take their training serious but not themselves. Coaches are very open, friendly, approachable and make you feel like family. Instructors and students alike in the various classes are always welcoming. As a guy that has trained in various martial arts throughout the years, I highly recommend Rough Hands.
If you are looking for personal attention in a class atmosphere in the Louisville area, you can end your search. I trained one on one with Jesse Walker years ago and his classes are no less personal. There is a difference between learning how to do something and how to do something right with consistency under pressure. The real world is never in a gym Rough Hands trainers know this and work to bring real world scenarios to the classrooms. If you are interested in Krav Maga, Muay Tai, or Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), to build your inner badass - again... you can stop looking now.
Great atmosphere. Knowledgeable instructors. Welcoming environment and classmates. Beginner martial arts student. Have been going for about a month. Went in for free trial, but joined that first day. Instantly felt comfortable and that the training offered is well taught at a good pace and effective. I leave every time a little bit better.
I've been doing Krav Maga and/or BJJ at various schools for over 8 years. I had previously trained with Jesse at another school and always felt that he was the best teacher I ever worked with. His curriculum of Krav Maga is very well thought out to work in real-life situations (not just on the mats). I also loved the family atmosphere that his previous gym cultivated. When I heard that he opened Rough Hands, I came over and started training with him again right away. I can tell you that the family atmosphere is here and Jesse's training is as fantastic as ever. Jesse and Shelby have gone out of their way to become great friends with me and seem to do the same for just about everyone at the gym. Obviously, I highly recommend. 😊
Started about a month ago, all the coaches are great, very patient and knowledgeable. All the classes are great. I definitely recommend!
Great school!!!! The instructor Jesse Walker is very good at breaking skills down for anyone to learn. He has a passion for helping you get healthier and safer in this world that doesn’t make it easy to be either.
Very friendly trainers, a husband and wife combination. Very open and non critical, beginner and advanced student friendly. Well worth the fairly low prices.
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