Valko Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy

Have been training at Valko for a little over three years now and can’t recommend it enough! I was new to BJJ when I started but immediately felt like Valko was home after my first class. Now I go to class 3-5 times a week Not only is there a great community and atmosphere, but the facility is great too. A little difficult to find the first time but find HiFi Fitness and it’s in the back. There are showers with towels in the locker room which is really convenient. Class times are convenient- morning, afternoon, and night. They are primarily gi and no gi but there is also an MMA/boxing class at 5:30 pm Tues/Thr that I love. Rental gis are free of charge if you are new and don’t know if you want to commit to the sport yet. All in all, Jay and Jose really have worked to create an amazing school and it shows.

Valko BJJ is one of my favorite gyms in the world. The mat space is beautiful and spacious (plenty of room to work the standup game), there is a large diversity in skill levels so you can always find your match, and the people are both highly skilled and genuinely kind. I started here as a white belt, and while I don’t live in Chicago anymore, I’ve made lifelong friends from Valko that I continue to stay connected with. Couldn’t recommend it more!

I dropped in from New Jersey for a morning class the guys here are the real deal and super welcoming. The academy’s located toward the back of the gym, very clean, with great instruction and fun rolls to finish the session. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a great drop in experience! (if you drop in buy a rash guard 🙂)

Absolutely love this gym! From the moment I walked in, everyone was so warm and welcoming, it really feels like a family. The environment is super friendly and supportive, but also filled with highly skilled people who push you to improve. Coach Jay is the best — knowledgeable, patient, and truly passionate about helping every student grow. The team regularly competes in IBJJF tournaments, and it’s awesome to train alongside such motivated and talented grapplers. The wrestlers here are seriously skilled too, which makes every round challenging and fun. Plus, the facility is spotless with great showers and amenities, which is a huge bonus after a hard session. Honestly, these are some of the nicest people I’ve ever met, can’t recommend this place enough!

I am a black belt from CT and recently came to Chicago for a week long work conference and have always wanted to train while traveling solo. I looked up a few places in the area but when I saw Valko it just looked like what I was seeking. I texted J the owner and asked if there are uniform requirements, mat fees, anything to be aware of. He wanted nothing from me, just a positive vibe and to spread a good word about the school. When I showed up to 7am class I was greeted by some incredibly nice people (they have an amazing turnout for a 7am class). They opened the gym to me, they certainly gave me a run for my money, but they wanted to know about me, wanted to offer suggestions for taking advantage of my first time in the city, they took the time to teach me their style. In addition to being nice people, these guys are monsters on the mat. Their professor has clearly translated the game to the students and they execute beautifully. I felt like I found a new home for when I travel to Chicago and I couldn’t recommend this school more. The space is unique, worn in, quintessential bjj space. It has all the amenities you need and Is easily accessible. The only problem I have is trying to find an excuse to get back out to Chicago asap to train with these guys. 10/10 highly recommend. Thank you Valko bjj!