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Learning jiu-jitsu on the South Side
This guide covers the South Side from Pilsen and Bridgeport down through Woodlawn to Beverly, and it is honest about its size: one door prints what a visitor needs. Southside Jiu Jitsu Club at 837 and 841 E 63rd St prints «Book A Free Intro», a complete Monday-to-Saturday text grid, and the line a traveller wants to see, «Visiting? Drop In». A directory prints a different address for it, 6311 S Maryland, and both bytes are recorded. The rest of the South Side is recorded from the directories without a schedule or a first-visit line; ask before you go.
Map
Every academy with a full entry is pinned on the map, and neighborhood-level pins say so. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Southside Jiu Jitsu Club — Woodlawn
Who this academy suits
The South Side's one readable door, and a genuine one: Southside Jiu Jitsu Club at 837 & 841 E 63rd St in Woodlawn, a block from the Green Line's Cottage Grove terminal, prints a Monday-to-Saturday grid built around «Fundamentals» — 6:30 AM on Monday and Thursday, 6:15 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and 11:15 AM on Saturday — with the advanced and open-mat hours fenced by printed experience minimums so a beginner knows which slot is theirs. The founder is named in the club's own words («Solomon Dixon, the founder of Southside Jiu Jitsu Club»), the first visit is a free intro («Book A Free Intro»), and the site keeps a «Visiting? Drop In» item for travellers. Prices do not print, and the grid carries the line «Schedule is subject to change as we get started with classes», so confirm the slot
Why we say it: The six-day grid, the free-intro and drop-in lines, the founder line and the address are the club's own site content, fetched 2026-09-03 (home, /schedule, /classes, /programs); the address is cross-checked by the bjjgyms.net and BJJList rolls
For the early riser on the South Side: a «Fundamentals 6:30 AM - 7:15 AM» class on Monday and Thursday in the printed grid — the only pre-work class in this area
Why we say it: Counted from the /classes text grid fetched 2026-09-03
Schedule verified Free trialDrop-ins welcomeDaily beginner classesEarly morning classesKids classesWomen's program
Your first visit
- Free trial
- «Book A Free Intro», «Book A Free Trial» and «schedule your introductory jiu jitsu session today!» in the site's own words, plus a «Visiting? Drop In» nav item for travellers — no drop-in fee printed
- Class schedule
- A Monday–Saturday text grid: «Fundamentals» at 6:30–7:15 AM Mon/Thu, 6:15–7:00 PM Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri and 11:15 AM Sat; then «Advanced BJJ - Gi 7:00 PM - 7:45 PM» Mon/Tue (six months' experience required), «All Levels BJJ - Positional Sparring 7:00 PM - 7:45 PM» Wed/Thu, «Randori / Open Mat» 7:00 PM Fri and Sat (three months required); youth 5:30 PM Mon/Tue/Fri and 10:30 AM Sat; no Sunday class printed. «Schedule is subject to change as we get started with classes.»
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 837 & 841 E 63rd St, Chicago, IL 60637
- Instructors
- Solomon Dixon — «Solomon Dixon, the founder of Southside Jiu Jitsu Club», «Meet coach Solo» in the site's own words
Academies being verified
We are re-confirming the essentials: class schedules and trial mechanics. Each academy joins the full guide once its facts meet the bar.
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Combatzone BJJ1856 W 95th St, Chicago, IL 60643Last checked: 2026-09-03
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Grassroots Jiu Jitsu10940 S Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60643Last checked: 2026-09-03
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The Bridge Jiu Jitsu1100 W Cermak Rd, Chicago, IL 60608Last checked: 2026-09-03
Frequently asked questions
Which academies Learning Jiu-Jitsu on Chicago's South Side offer a free trial?
Southside Jiu Jitsu Club — Woodlawn: «Book A Free Intro», «Book A Free Trial» and «schedule your introductory jiu jitsu session today!» in the site's own words, plus a «Visiting? Drop In» nav item for travellers — no drop-in fee printed
How do I book a trial class?
It differs by academy. Where we could verify the booking method, it is listed under "Your first visit" in that academy's entry; otherwise, asking through the academy's official channel is the most reliable route.
I'm a complete beginner. Can I just show up?
It differs by academy. Entries show where a fundamentals program and first-visit process are verified. For the rest, check with the academy before visiting. For what a first class actually feels like, see the beginner posts on our blog.