Northwest Jiu Jitsu Academy

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.

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.

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!

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

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

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

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!!!

I've trained at other schools in the past and there are 2 things that stand out with NWJJA.

1: The instructor. Prof. Brian Johnson is not only an extremely talented martial artists, but also possesses an exceptional talent for teaching. Part of my occupation is to evaluate the effectiveness of various types of training and learning styles in the corporate world. I've observed Prof. Brian's teaching style over the last few months and am very impressed with his inherent understanding of how people LEARN! He is able to engage on the individual level in a way that makes sense and is

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

This place is simply amazing! Absolutely superb instruction! Brian Johnson does a fantastic job of breaking technique down and helping students to learn. His curriculum is geared towards the development of a solid foundation, as opposed to being taught bits and pieces at random. His delivery is motivating and clear. I have yet to leave a class feeling unaccomplished.

In addition to the adult curriculum, there is a kids program. Mike Leary does an excellent job of teaching and helping the young students to develop the basics and a strong foundation...all while making a strong effort to ensure

I have been training here for about 3 months now and here is my preliminary review.

1) Cleanliness - The mats are swept / mopped after classes. I have yet to think about the mats or my partner as anything less than spotless. The other students take pride in their school and keep it as well as themselves clean.

2) Size - This could be my only complaint. The classes attract a lot of people and if it were possible to expand another couple hundred square feet, it would be perfect. As it is, we'll bump into each other on an odd occasion - it's nothing that happens all the time. Just