Freeport Martial Arts Academy offers martial arts classes in Freeport, Illinois, for kids ages 5-12, teens, and adults. We offer three Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Submission Wrestling-based martial arts programs for students of all ages and abilities, from kids to adults and from white belts to black belts.
- Adults Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Submission Wrestling: Discover how leverage defeats strength in a challenging yet supportive community where you can shed daily stress, build functional fitness, and master the ultimate art of ground fighting for sport and self-defense.
- Kids Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Submission Wrestling: Equip your child with unshakable confidence, focus, and life-saving self-defense skills through a fun, high-energy program built on discipline, respect, and leadership.
- Women’s Self-Defense: Unlock your inner power and master practical, real-world techniques to deter danger and confidently protect yourself in any scenario.
NOTE: Students under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian on their first day of classes, who must also sign a liability waiver on their behalf.
Adults Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) & Submission Wrestling
Adults Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (Gi)
- Target Age: Adults (Ages 13+)
- Uniform Requirement: Traditional Gi (Kimono and belt)
- Description: Step onto the mats and experience the traditional art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. This class explores the nuanced techniques of Gi training, using grips, clothing leverage, and tactical positioning to neutralize and control opponents. Following a structured curriculum taught by expert instructors, adults learn to safely navigate ground combat. It serves as a form of “moving meditation”—demanding complete focus to help you escape daily stress while building strength, flexibility, and real-world relationships within an amazing community.
Adults Submission Wrestling (No-Gi)
- Target Age: Adults (Ages 13+)
- Uniform Requirement: No-Gi (Rash guard and athletic shorts)
- Description: Designed for teens and adults, this fast-paced class focuses on ground control and submission techniques without the constraints of a traditional uniform. Grounded in a systematic process of Defend, Escape, Control, and Submit, students learn to rely on leverage and technique rather than raw strength. This class is excellent for practical self-defense, modern sport grappling, and building exceptional functional fitness. It offers an inclusive, supportive environment perfect for busy professionals, competitors, or beginners seeking an engaging way to stay in shape.
Adults Submission Wrestling (No-Gi) Sparring
- Target Age: Adults (Ages 13+)
- Uniform Requirement: No-Gi (Rash guard and athletic shorts/spats)
- Description: Put your technique to the test in a live, dynamic environment. This class is dedicated entirely to positional sparring, situational drilling, and live rolling without the traditional Gi. Under the direct supervision of our coaching staff, students learn to apply their submissions, takedowns, and escapes against resisting partners in a safe, controlled, and respectful atmosphere. It is the ultimate environment for sharpening your reaction time, building elite cardiovascular endurance, and developing real-time problem-solving skills on the mats.
Note: While this class is highly recommended for those looking to accelerate their progress or prepare for competition, a basic foundation in fundamental movements is encouraged before attending.
Morning Crew Submission Wrestling (No-Gi) Sparring
- Target Age: Adults (Ages 13+)
- Uniform Requirement: No-Gi (Rash guard and athletic shorts)
- Description: Designed for early risers and busy Freeport professionals, this session focuses entirely on live rolling (sparring) and situational drills in a No-Gi setting. Students apply their technical knowledge in real time within a controlled, safe, and supervised environment. It’s the perfect high-intensity cardio workout to start your morning, refine your timing, and sharpen your defensive and offensive grappling strategies before the workday begins.
All Ages Open Mat: Members & Non-Members
- Target Age: All Ages (Kids 5–12 & Adults 13+)
- Uniform Requirement: Gi or No-Gi (Both welcome)
- Description: Community is at the heart of Freeport Martial Arts, and All Ages Open Mat is where everyone comes together. This unstructured, supervised mat time is open to academy members and visitors from other gyms. Students of all ages and skill levels can use this time to drill techniques they want to improve, ask questions, or spar in a friendly setting. It’s a safe, relaxed, and highly collaborative environment designed to build local martial arts bonds and share knowledge.
Adults Only Open Mat: Members & Non-Members
- Target Age: Adults (Ages 13+)
- Uniform Requirement: Gi or No-Gi (Both welcome)
- Description: This open mat session is reserved exclusively for adults and teens. Whether you are a dedicated member or a non-member seeking a welcoming place to cross-train, this unstructured session offers the freedom to train at your own pace. Use this hour for extra live rolling, conceptual drilling, or a quick workout. It offers a relaxed, digital-free “me time” environment focused on camaraderie, physical conditioning, and technical growth.
Learn more about the Adults Jiu-Jitsu & Submission Wrestling program
Kids Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) & Submission Wrestling
Kids Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (Gi)
- Target Age: Kids (Ages 5 – 12)
- Uniform Requirement: Traditional Gi (Kimono and belt)
- Description: This class teaches kids traditional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu using the Gi. By learning to use the uniform’s grips for control, defense, and submissions, children develop strong problem-solving skills and mental focus. The curriculum balances essential self-defense tactics with sport Jiu-Jitsu, ensuring a structured, safe, and collaborative learning experience. Alongside physical techniques, kids are taught core martial arts values such as respect, discipline, and leadership that will serve them long after they leave the mats.
Kids Submission Wrestling (No-Gi)
- Target Age: Kids (Ages 5 – 12)
- Uniform Requirement: No-Gi (Rash guard/fitted t-shirt and athletic shorts/spats)
- Description: Designed for children, this class introduces the fundamentals of grappling without a traditional martial arts uniform (Gi). Focusing on movement, leverage, and body control, kids learn foundational wrestling and submission techniques, including takedowns, positional control, and escapes. In a safe, high-energy environment, children build functional fitness, self-defense skills, and unshakable confidence while learning to socialize, cooperate, and solve problems with their peers.
Learn more about the Kids Jiu-Jitsu & Submission Wrestling program
Women’s Self-Defense
Women’s Self-Defense Course
- Format: 6-Week Specialized Course (2 classes per week)
- Target Audience: Females ages 8+ (Ages 8–12 must attend with a parent or guardian). Perfect for young women heading to college, those entering the dating scene, or anyone looking to build powerful confidence.
- Uniform Requirement: Comfortable workout clothes and a water bottle.
- Description: Learn to protect yourself before something happens. This empowering, 6-week course teaches real-world self-defense fundamentals tailored to common domestic violence and sexual assault scenarios. Led by a knowledgeable Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt, the curriculum focuses on practical, leverage-based techniques rather than raw strength, teaching you how to avoid danger, deter predators, escape wrist, waist, and hair grabs, defend against strikes, and effectively control or injure an attacker.
No experience or athletic background is required to begin. Freeport Martial Arts offers a safe, welcoming, and highly collaborative environment where you can overcome nervousness and grow at your own pace. It is also the perfect opportunity for mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends to come together, build life-saving skills, and unlock their inner power.
Women’s Self-Defense Seminar
- Format: 3-Hour Intensive Workshop
- Target Audience: Females ages 8+ (Ages 8–12 must attend with a parent or guardian). Ideal for busy individuals, college-bound students, or anyone seeking an impactful, single-day safety and empowerment course.
- Uniform Requirement: Comfortable athletic wear/workout clothes and a water bottle.
- Description: Unlock your inner power and take control of your personal safety in this fast-paced, high-impact 3-hour seminar. Designed for women and girls, this intensive workshop condenses essential, real-world self-defense fundamentals into a single afternoon. Under the guidance of our professional Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt instructor, you will learn practical, leverage-based strategies that rely on technique and awareness rather than raw physical strength.
During this seminar, we will cover:
- Situational Awareness: How to read body language, identify red flags, avoid danger, and verbally deter predators.
- Essential Escapes: Immediate, practical techniques to break free from common grabs (wrist, waist, and hair).
- Physical Defense: How to defend against punches or sudden strikes and effectively create the distance needed to escape.
- Ground Survival: Foundational Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu concepts for protecting yourself and getting back to your feet if an attacker takes you to the ground.
No prior martial arts experience or athletic background is required. We pride ourselves on creating a safe, encouraging, and collaborative training environment where you can confront nervousness and leave feeling capable and strong. Bring your mom, daughter, sister, or best friend and join us for an empowering three hours that will build lifesaving skills and unshakable confidence!