Criterion Jiu Jitsu of Louisville

2801 Cleveland Blvd, Louisville, KY 40206, USA

5.0 (19 reviews)

Disciplines

Gi Self-Defense

Classes

Adults Classes Black Belt Instruction

Facilities

Mat Space

Culture

Welcoming Environment

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High quality Gracie Jiu Jitsu training in the heart of Louisville, KY, in a friendly, relaxed environment. All skill levels are welcome to come learn BJJ.

Reviews

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Will Dillman

Great gym! Space was super clean and instruction was excellent!

Instructors Facility
Posted 1 year ago
John Nolan

Had a wonderful time dropping in on a class during vacation. They are one of the most welcoming, safe and technically proficient groups I have come across. Criterion is a must visit for any martial artists in the Louisville area.

Instructors Facility Classes Location Atmosphere
Posted 1 year ago
Steve McClay

I highly recommend Rob and Criterion Jiu Jitsu! I dropped in on a class while at a work conference in Louisville and was so glad I did. I got a great workout in, and learned a lot from Rob during the drill time. Rob is a gifted teacher - he gave knowledgeable instruction and made it fun. The other students were very welcoming. If you’re in the area, you should check it out!

Instructors Facility Classes Location Atmosphere
Posted 2 years ago
Brandon Hawkins

Come in from out of town and everyone was very friendly and I felt welcomed! Highly recommend this location.

Instructors Location Atmosphere
Posted 2 years ago
Shane Wallace

Sign up for a free observation, you won’t regret it! Great group of guys here.

Instructors Atmosphere
Posted 2 years ago
Evan Shields

Hey! I am a 25-year-old male that has been practicing at Criterion for the past 4 months. This is my first experience with any form of martial art, and I have to say I love it! I originally joined off of the recommendation of friends that are in the martial arts community, and the effectiveness of the art as exercise, but the discipline, confidence, and humility I have gained as a result have improved my day-to-day living profoundly. The ability to keep calm (and think) while under a tremendous amount of stress is an important skill that must be practiced repeatedly and jiujitsu has certainly given me that practice. I find many, many lessons in jiujitsu bleed over into work, physical fitness, and social interaction as well. I think a strong desire to learn, patience, and an open mind have been my biggest advantages as a beginner. My goal is to stay consistent and see where it takes me! Thank you!

Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
Posted 2 years ago
Nick G

Great training. Very friendly instructors and the owner Rob was extremely welcoming to me as a visitor/walk in. Facility was in a beautiful old church, very clean mats, I recommend checking the place out if you’re in the area

Instructors Facility Location Atmosphere
Posted 2 years ago
Raymond Trammell

I visited Louisville Kentucky over the weekend and wanted to get some training in on a Saturday morning. I contacted Criterion Jiu-Jitsu and spoke to head instructor and owner 2nd degree Black Belt, Robert Setree. He welcomed me to his facility with open arms. The training was second to none; I will definitely return to train with him on my next visit to Kentucky!

Instructors Facility Location Atmosphere
Posted 2 years ago
Steve T

Criterion BJJ (aka “Grapple Chapel”) is a GREAT place to train if you’re ever in Louisville. Prior to traveling in, I contacted Rob via email, and he was always prompt with replies. After setting up a private session, we discussed beforehand and upon arrival what we would go over, and he worked a solid game plan tailored to my strengths and needs. After an hour of drilling and strategy, we ended with some good live rolling. I’ve been training BJJ for many years and can comfortably say that Rob is one of the top instructors I’ve ever trained with. He is very personable, and as a 2nd degree BB under Pedro Sauer, his technique was amazingly smooth and very efficient. The gym is unique - a converted church, with plenty of clean mat space and parking. His students were also friendly and enthusiastic. Cannot wait for the next lesson. Thanks Rob!

Instructors Facility Location Atmosphere
Posted 2 years ago
David Cooper

I gained a lot of weight during the Covid lockdown. Although I’ve had private lessons with Rob for less than a year, I’ve not only lost weight, but I’ve have learned Jiu Jitsu. Rob is a patient and thorough teacher. If I can do this at 74, anyone who is willing to work at it can do it.

Instructors
Posted 3 years ago
Greg Ledva

I found Criterion and BJJ in general during the summer of 2022. I had moved to Louisville about a year before, was working from home, and was the heaviest I had ever been. I needed to get out of the house, I needed to meet people, and I needed to get moving. I decided to give BJJ a try because I had heard it was both physical and mental. As a nerd that played sports for most of my life, it felt like a perfect fit. Flash forward to being a year into my BJJ journey, and I’m much healthier and still making progress. I’m down 30 lbs and still dropping weight. Initially, just getting through warmups was a struggle, but my typical BJJ session these days is class followed by an hour of rolling (sparring) afterwards. Along the way, I started lifting weights again. As my weight and fitness improved, I started paying more attention to my diet and focusing on fixing some bad habits. It’s all a work in progress, but it’s heading in the right direction. As a bonus, I met a group of folks that I genuinely enjoy seeing and catching up with, which makes it just a little bit easier getting to class on those days you don’t feel like moving. I knew almost nothing about BJJ initially, and a few things surprised me after being at Criterion for a while. First, I imagined a BJJ gym full of MMA bros, but I found a group of laid back, friendly folks that were quick to introduce themselves, strike up a conversation, and help each other out. Second, having played football and rugby in the past, I expected lots of aches and pains. But I feel fresher after 12 months of BJJ classes than I did 3 weeks into a rugby season. At Criterion, there is a big emphasis on safe drilling and safe rolling — we put in work, but we protect our training partners — and it shows. Third, was that BJJ focuses on skill and technique, rather than brute force. Because of that, it’s incredibly accessible to folks of all shapes, sizes, and levels of athleticism. Lastly, I noticed that no matter whether you want to learn some self defense, want a hobby to help you get fitter, or want to compete in tournaments, there’s a way for you to get what you want out of it here. Two years ago, I would have never imagined getting into BJJ. After a year of it, I can’t imagine doing anything else.

Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
Posted 3 years ago
G H

When I began searching for a BJJ gym as both a novice who knew next to nothing about BJJ except for the fact that I wanted to do it and a woman, I was nervous that my lack of skill would keep me from being able to learn in a group environment on top of being uncertain that I would be able to find a place in a community that I knew was made up largely of men. It was by pure coincidence that I called Rob at Criterion before any of my other options, but it has proved to be one of the best that I’ve made. Rob took the time to explain the way classes, belts, and experience levels work, answered my questions, discussed my apprehensions, and genuinely sought a connection in order to gauge whether Criterion would be a good fit for me. He even let me observe an additional class before my free trial class so that I would know what to expect when I showed up, and I’m extraordinarily grateful to know that he was looking out for my best interests before he even knew me. Since starting, I have only ever felt comfortable, engaged, included, and challenged at Criterion, and know that the type of community and learning environment fostered there is truly special. There is no such thing as ‘starting too late,’ being ‘behind’ in skill, or ‘bad’ at the moves – only the constant drive to better yourself and your teammates. All of us on the mats are on our own journeys with unique goals and objectives, but it has been my experience that we all have a similar goal of helping each other achieve what we’re reaching for, which creates a super relaxed, productive, and fun space to grow. Criterion, Rob, my teammates, and BJJ have all played an incredibly impactful role in my life in the time I’ve been practicing. My confidence, my self-awareness, my resiliency, and my physical fitness have all flourished, and my mental perception of limitations have been surpassed in the best ways. I truly believe that Brazilian Jiu Jitsu offers so many holistic benefits, and I would recommend Rob and Criterion to anyone looking to learn the art in a heartbeat.

Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
Posted 3 years ago
Kevin Graham

Criterion Jiu Jitsu is where you want to train if you're looking to get involved in high-level Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with friendly practitioners in a relaxed environment (Seriously, it's colloquially referred to as the "Grapple Chapel" due to its location at an old, exquisite church). Rob Setree exemplifies mastery of this art with his efficient style that always prioritizes technique over speed, strength, and explosiveness. I've trained Jiu Jitsu for nearly a decade throughout the country and can confidently say Criterion is as good as it gets.

Instructors Facility Location Atmosphere
Posted 3 years ago
Jesse Lucas

Learning Brazilian Jui-Jitsu at Criterion has helped bridged the gap between my mind and body. The sport offers a unique combination of mental and physical challenges that I haven't found in any other activity. The instruction from Rob and Kiefer is clear, consistent, and pushes me to grow. Attending class is always fun because I know there will be something new for me to learn, taught by some of the best people you will ever meet. If you love learning this is the BJJ facility you have been looking for!

Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
Posted 3 years ago
Chase Dontanville

I have attended BJJ classes at Criterion since late summer of 2022. I continue to train there for various reasons (e.g. quality training partners and facilities). One reason, though, merits more attention: the calm and authoritative lessons of Rob Setree. I have trained BJJ before, but I have never had so much instructional time with a teacher of Rob's pedigree. Personally, I love the fact that I am learning from someone who learned from Master Pedro Sauer, who himself learned under Helio and Rickson Gracie. That connection to BJJ's origins cannot be overvalued. "BJJ changes lives." As trite as that has become, it remains true. The question is how it will change your life. I think everyone should give BJJ a chance and Criterion is a great place to begin.

Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
Posted 3 years ago
Eric Ohlson

First trip to Criterion today, for a post-Thanksgiving open mat. So awesome! Rob and everyone there were very welcoming. The facility and mats are beautiful and clean. I will be returning!

Instructors Facility Atmosphere
Posted 3 years ago
Nicholas Butler

I had been looking for a new place to train for some time and an acquaintance recommended Rob. Rob has transformed this space into something special and filled it with students who are good stewards of each other. It doesn't matter if you're here 3 times a week, or can only be in twice a month, the group is always here with open arms (or is that guard?) to help with a technique. Rob's teaching style is relatable and thorough. He readily alters his delivery of instruction if he senses that you're not quite 100% getting it. It is easy to see the love that he has for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and hard not to catch it from him. If you've been curious about studying BJJ This is a great place to get started.

Instructors Facility Atmosphere
Posted 3 years ago
Brady DeWitt

Criterion has to be one of the best schools for anyone wanting to dive into the art of BJJ. This is the school for anyone who wants a fun and well taught experience!

Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
Posted 3 years ago
J. Scott Davis

Rob Setree is second to none as a jiu jitsu instructor! As a second degree black belt under Master Sauer, he is an ELITE practitioner. Perhaps more importantly, he has the unique ability to share his skills effectively with his students in a competitive, safe, and fun environment. I practiced under Rob for many years. If you’re interested in developing self-defense skills, jiu jitsu mastery, or simply a fun practical hobby for health and fitness, I highly recommend Criterion BJJ!!!

Instructors Classes Atmosphere
Posted 4 years ago
Matt Lyons

Criterion Jiu-Jitsu is not your typical strip mall BJJ. As soon as you step inside the school which is located in a former church, you will experience a truly unique learning environment. That change of pace is carried through with the instruction of 2nd degree black belt Rob Setree. His teaching and philosophy will not only help you become a very competent BJJ practitioner, but will help strengthen many aspects of your physical and mental being.

Instructors Facility Location Atmosphere
Posted 4 years ago
Bryce Priddy

I’ve been a student at Criterion BJJ for a couple years now and joining this gym has been a life-changing decision for me. Now as a 1-stripe Blue belt I can confidently attest to how there is so much to be gained from studying Jiu Jitsu. It has drastically improved my stamina, functional strength and flexibility, and has also taught me countless lessons, including humility, appreciation for both my strengths and weaknesses, and how to apply those lessons both on and off the mats. You truly get a wholistic workout for the mind, body and soul when you begin training BJJ. Head instructor Rob Setree is an incredible practitioner and his approach to teaching is second-to-none. Lessons are very detailed and broken down into digestible pieces so that everyone understands how-and-why the techniques work. When you come to your first class, you will immediately see how Coach Setree’s love for teaching BJJ and for our development his students really shines. Apart from top-notch instruction, I really appreciate the aesthetic of Criterion BJJ - a safe, spacious, clean and fun environment, and frankly a beautiful space to train in. The community of students here are very welcoming to all who step on the mats, regardless of varying skill-level or background. I always feel very Safe with my training partners when we roll, and step off the mats feeling eager to come back for the next class. I really have nothing but praises for this gym and our instructor, and would highly recommend that you come by for a class and experience it for yourself.

Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
Posted 4 years ago
Robert Magers

Initially, I was introduced to martial arts in the 70’s upon the return of my Uncle from his service with the United States Army in Vietnam. Since then, my interests were primarily focused on Judo and Japanese Jujutsu. Over the years, I have been involved in various clubs and schools around the country. When I returned home to Louisville, I was struck by the brotherhood of the practitioners of the various styles and disciplines in the city. The doors and mats are often open in the region welcoming athletes to cross-train from club to club and discipline to discipline. It was through these opened-door training opportunities that I met Rob Setree and he introduced me to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. In all my experience, I had never before trained with such a natural teacher or in a more comfortable location as I have enjoyed with Professor Setree and the “Grapple Chapel.” Criterion Academy’s home is amazing. It is peaceful and beautiful, the environment is friendly. The training is genuine, organic and challenging. The instruction is unparalleled. Rob has fostered an environment where students of any level can train and develop. Professor Setree’s fluid and easy style has reminded me of the importance of keeping the “Ju” in Judo, Jujutsu and Jiu-Jitsu. I am truly fortunate to have found the school and wholly recommend it to anyone wishing to learn or improve their self-defense, physical and emotional health.

Instructors Facility Classes Location Atmosphere
Posted 4 years ago