Defiance Jiu Jitsu

Defiance Jiu Jitsu

5120 reviews
Is “Defiance Jiu Jitsu” your gym? Claim it free and make it stand out.✓ Verify Your Gym

About Defiance Jiu Jitsu

Elevate your martial arts journey with top-notch instructors. Forge resilience and embrace a welcoming community with the Defiance team. Serving the Tacoma, WA area.

Photos

Reviews

5
120 reviews
Seaney McDermott
2025-10-15

I was visiting from Scotland and dropped in at Defiance for a couple of weeks. The gym was incredible — super welcoming atmosphere, tough but respectful rolls, and great instruction. Coach Jesse really knows his stuff and takes time to help visitors feel part of the team. The training partners were skilled and friendly, and every session pushed me to improve without any ego on the mats. It’s the kind of place that makes you look forward to training every day. If you’re in the Seattle area (or just passing through), I can’t recommend Defiance enough, if I’m ever back in the area I’ll definitely be training here! Easily one of the best gyms I’ve trained at.

Sean Karstedt
2024-10-02

Coach Jesse cultivates an inclusive and positive culture for learning for all genders and body types at Defiance Jiu Jitsu. The coaching team provides clear breakdowns of both beginner and advanced techniques and the members of the Academy are welcoming and helpful. My family participates in both the adult and kid’s programs and I can attest that the coaching is engaging and fun in both programs. The facilities are kept clean and there are clear guidelines on hygiene for the health and safety of Academy members. My family came to Defiance Jiu Jitsu searching for healthy physical outlets that would resonate with our children. As I watched my 4-, 6-, and 8-year-old children on the mats and the care the coaches took to help each student learn fundamental movement, mobility and control techniques, I began to realize that even I could start Jiu Jitsu at 51. My family and I have been training at Defiance Jiu Jitsu for more than two years now and I feel grateful to have found the Defiance Jiu Jitsu coaches and team to help us to be our best in this art. I recommend giving Defiance Jiu Jitsu a try if you’re looking to challenge yourself, learn self-defense, build fitness and confidence while having fun. I hope to see you on the mats!

Colby Heefner
2022-12-19

Defiance Jiu Jitsu is amazing. The coaches are top tier. They care about the individual and will take the time to explain movements thoroughly. They've been welcoming since the beginning and they all share a common goal of constant improvement. They also offer classes daily, which gives you plenty of reps to get better. Highly recommend and thankful I've found this gym. There is a strong sense of community and family here!

esperanza
2025-12-23

I was so happy to find a class for 4+. My daughter loves her class and the coach is so patient and an all around great teacher! Thank you

Ryan Walling
2024-09-18

Dropped in for a class on a Sunday. The coach and students were very welcoming and a pleasure to roll with. Sometimes showing up to a new gym with a white belt on you become a play toy for the Jiu Jitsu players. I definitely left this place feeling enthusiastic about Jiu Jitsu even after taking a couple months off. This gym has a really good vibe and culture. As a person in his mid-forties, it’s nice to train at a place where you feel safe and the level of instruction is at a digestible pace.

Frequently Asked Questions

DO I NEED EXPERIENCE TO START TRAINING BJJ?

Not at all! Defiance Jiu Jitsu welcomes complete beginners. We offer introductory classes specifically designed to teach the fundamentals of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in a safe, supportive environment. Everyone starts somewhere, and our coaches will guide you every step of the way.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR TO MY FIRST CLASS?

For your first visit, comfortable athletic wear such as shorts and a rash guard works perfectly. Once you train regularly, you'll want a gi (BJJ uniform). We train gi here — our coaches can point you toward the right gear.

IS THERE A FREE TRIAL CLASS?

Yes! We encourage you to try a class before committing. Contact Defiance Jiu Jitsu to schedule your complimentary intro class and experience our training environment for yourself.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I TRAIN AS A BEGINNER?

Most beginners see strong progress training 2-3 times per week. Consistency matters more than volume early on. As your conditioning improves, many students increase to 4-5 sessions per week.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET A BLUE BELT IN BJJ?

On average, dedicated students earn their blue belt in 1-2 years of consistent training. Progression depends on mat time, active learning, and open rolling. Each stripe reflects real skill growth.