Jiu-Jitsu Institute Inc

This club has a unique history, culture and training program. They are able to take a normal person with no background and have them win championship against national ranked players. While being able to produce great results they do not focus on winning. They focus on the person reaching their goals and being part of the judo family.

I absolutely love this gym and the people I’ve had the privilege to train with and get to know over the years. I’ve been with Jiu Jitsu Institute since 2013 and have nothing but good things to say. Sensei Hollis, the head instructor, often reminds myself and my fellow students and instructors that “this is a family” and it’s true. The sense of community and the desire for mutual benefit are both core tenets of Judo. The atmosphere of this gym is like no other and I’ve been to judo dojos as far as Morocco and Tajikistan. JJI is a small, tight knit group of guys and gals that are tough as nails, but have beers after class on holidays or go to the restaurant in the bottom floor of the building after practice. JJI may be small, but it’s also home to many state and regional champions in judo and I’ve benefitted greatly from the physicality of Judo. Multiple times as a paramedic and now as a police officer I’ve used basic judo to safely restrain or apprehend people I have come into contact with at work. I cannot recommend this enough to ER nurses/techs, paramedics, and cops. Having a solid base in grappling is game-changing. Come check out the gym and hopefully become a part of the Jiu Jitsu Institute family!

The long standing Jiu Jitsu Institute (Est. in 1938) is a great school dedicated to the development of all it’s students and teaching good Judo and traditional Japanese Jiu Jitsu. Sensei Hollis Barnett (6th Dan) is a man of integrity, and brings infectious positivity, a very high level of Judo and decades of experience. With a combination of effective competition techniques, self defense principles, and proper time dedicated to Newaza (Ground techniques) “J.J.I.” will give you a very well rounded grappling experience. I can’t speak highly enough of the impact that Sensei Barnett and Jiu Jitsu Institute has had in my life.

I don’t know how to better speak of this place. If you want to practice Judo in Chicago this at the very least needs to be a place on your list to visit. I personally have been to tohkon and will acknowledge the talent on those mats but nothing compares to the instruction found here. Sensai Hollis is a true competitor and a phenomenal judoka “nothing like good old judo” he says to motivate his students. His assistant instructors Joe and Ernest are the people you want to work with when finding your style and improving every part of your game from a personal stand point. Ernest could easily be one of the greatest for his age group. Joe can fine tune every inch of ones judo game methodologically. This school is less known and less attended but at 2017 Tohkon tournament all of our competitors came home with nothing less then silver medals. Also national and state champs train here. Hands down the best judo place I’ve ever been.

I attended JJI briefly before my job changed and sent me to the burbs. I highly recommend it for anyone looking to learn no-BS self-defense, real judo, and grappling. The instructors are awesome and so are the other students. I really hope this place keeps going strong. OSU!