Their first class could be Monday
Kids training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at Journey Academy Madison

Ages 6+ · Zero Experience Needed

The Kids 2-Week Intro to Jiu-Jitsu

$49 for 14 days of weekday classes. A free uniform yours to keep. And a low-pressure way to find out if Jiu-Jitsu is the activity that finally sticks.

You Want Your Kid to Be Confident. You Just Haven't Found the Activity That Makes It Happen.

How many times have you signed them up for something new… only to hear 'I don't want to go anymore' three weeks in?

You've tried soccer, baseball, maybe swimming or gymnastics. They showed interest, you bought the gear, drove to practices — and then it fizzled. Nothing stuck.

Meanwhile, screen time keeps creeping up. The meltdowns get bigger. The talking back gets louder. The confidence you know is in there? It's not coming out.

"I just want them to believe in themselves."

The real problem isn't your kid. It's that most activities give them entertainment. Very few give them challenges they have to push through — the kind that actually build character.

607 Students Trained · Kids Program Running Since 2018

The 2-Week Intro Is Their Starting Line

I'm Coach Alex. I've watched hundreds of kids walk through our doors for the first time — shy kids, hyperactive kids, kids who had never done a martial art before.

The ones who stuck weren't the most athletic. They had a beginner-friendly place to start, and a coach who knew their name on day one.

The 2-Week Intro gives your child 14 days of weekday classes, a free uniform, and a low-pressure way to find out if this is the activity that finally clicks. $49. No long-term commitment. Just get them there.

Coach Alex pointing at camera

Ages 6+ · Not a Typical Martial Arts Class

Why Madison Parents Choose This for Their Kids

Real Self-Defense Skills

Not choreographed kicks — actual techniques for the real scenarios kids face, including bullying. Your child learns to stay calm and handle themselves — because you won't always be there to step in.

Focus That Carries Into the Classroom

Kids can't coast through a roll like they can sit through a drill. BJJ demands total attention — and parents consistently report better focus at home and school within the first few weeks.

Confidence That Isn't Just a Trophy

Not participation ribbons — your child earns every skill through effort. When they escape a hold they couldn't last week, they know they did it themselves. That kind of confidence doesn't fade when the season ends.

A Community That Pushes Them to Grow

The mat is a great equalizer — it doesn't matter what school they go to or how popular they are. Half our kids started shy or uncertain. Friendships form fast when you're learning something hard together.

What's Included

What's Inside the 2-Week Intro

Kids BJJ class sitting attentively at Journey Academy Madison

Beginner-Friendly Fundamentals

$49 unlocks 14 days of classes — zero intimidation, beginner-friendly the whole way:

  • Weekday afternoon classes — Monday through Friday
  • Pick the days that fit your family's schedule
  • No minimum number of classes required
  • No long-term commitment — try, then decide
Coach Alex standing with kids students at Journey BJJ Madison

Everything Your Child Needs — Included

  • Jiu-Jitsu Uniform ($100 value) — theirs to keep
  • Member App with Chat & Curriculum — track progress between classes
  • A coach who knows their name on day one
  • Kids-only classes — no adults on the mat
Kids class lined up clapping with instructor at Journey BJJ Madison

Their New Training Family

A group of kids their age, all working toward the same goal. The mat is a safe place to take risks, make mistakes, and grow:

  • Certified instructors trained in age-appropriate coaching
  • A peer group that high-fives effort, not just talent
  • Belt progression that gives kids visible, earned milestones

Kids Class Schedule

Weekday afternoon classes — pick any days that work for your family.

Monday

1 class
Kids BJJ
4:30 PM – 5:15 PM · Alex

Tuesday

1 class
Kids BJJ
4:30 PM – 5:15 PM · Alex

Wednesday

1 class
Kids BJJ
4:30 PM – 5:15 PM · Alex

Thursday

1 class
Kids BJJ
4:30 PM – 5:15 PM · Alex

Friday

1 class
Kids BJJ
4:30 PM – 5:15 PM · Alex
Gi
No-Gi
Madison Parents Love What They See

Real Reviews from Real Families

Real Google reviews from Madison parents whose kids train here.

While looking for a gym to take my children, I decided to participate in Journey's 42 day challenge to experience the gym culture and instruction first hand, and now that I've completed the challenge,…

Tannis Olsen

BJJ parent

Google

Excellent kids program - the coaches are great at encouraging discipline and commitment along with teaching fun and thorough jiu jitsu techniques through demonstration, games, and lots of supervised o…

Lindsey Cheadle

BJJ parent

Google

I've been coming here, along with my kids, for 7 months now. We all love it. The kids classes are fun for the kids, yet structured and disciplined enough to be a quality learning environment. Both of …

Brian Greunke

BJJ parent

Google

I can't recommend Journey enough for giving me an opportunity to try something totally out of my comfort zone. I've always been interested in fitness, but wanted to mix up my stale exercise routine. I…

dorothy silverman

BJJ parent

Google

Alex is a great coach. His classes are structured and fun and he handles large groups of children of different ages well. He is supportive when you are just learning about Jiu Jitsu. How many times ha…

Sarah O'Grady

BJJ parent

Google

My son absolutely loves training at Journey! It truly is incredible to see how much a 6 yr old can learn and grow in just a few short months learning Jiu-Jitsu ! I would highly recommend working with …

Matt Roelli

BJJ parent

Facebook

First session went great my son had never done anything like this before today...

Queen Ray

BJJ parent

Google

I've been coming here, along with my kids, for 7 months now. We all love it. The kids classes are fun for the kids, yet structured and disciplined enough to be a quality learning environment. Both of …

Brian Greunke

BJJ parent

Google

The instructors and students all have a great attitude. My 13‑year‑old daughter loves training here.

Brian S.

BJJ parent

Yelp

If you’re reading this review, then you’re considering training with Journey Academy; Do It! When I joined, I was simply looking for a form of exercise that introduced a social aspect, since activitie…

Chad Caso

BJJ parent

Google

Excellent kids program - the coaches are great at encouraging discipline and commitment along with teaching fun and thorough jiu jitsu techniques through demonstration, games, and lots of supervised o…

Lindsey Cheadle

BJJ parent

Google

Great for both kids and adults! Great community.

Jeremy West

BJJ parent

Google

Your Child's 14-Day Roadmap

What 2 weeks looks like, day by day

1

Days 1-4 | Their First Class

They show up in their free uniform. Coach pairs them with a friendly partner and walks them through one position — top and bottom. They survive their first class and come off the mat lit up. Most kids walk in nervous and walk out asking when they can come back.

2

Days 5-9 | The Rhythm Clicks

By class three or four, the warm-up stops feeling foreign. Techniques start to repeat, and they'll catch themselves recognizing them. Pick the weekday afternoons that fit your family — and lock in the routine.

3

Days 10-14 | The Decision

They've trained alongside other kids who started exactly where they did. By day 14, you'll know if Jiu-Jitsu is the activity that finally clicks — and your coach will help you map what comes next. Either way, the uniform is theirs to keep.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my child doesn't want to participate?

Some kids who come to us are resistant at first, but we know that kids need to have fun to stick with something. That's why we play mini-games at the end of many of our classes. After a few weeks of classes, our kids are usually pumped to come to classes regularly.

How much do kids classes cost?

We charge $25 per class for drop-ins. We also have multiple programs including our Kids Intro Program. Pricing varies depending on the child's experience level, #of weekly classes, and program type/length.

Does my child need any prior martial arts experience?

No, they do not. Most kids here had no prior background before they got started.

My child doesn't do well with sports - will martial arts be any different?

Some kids who come to us are resistant at first, but we know that kids need to have fun to stick with something. That's why we play mini-games at the end of many of our classes. After a few weeks of classes, our kids are usually pumped to come to classes regularly.

Will martial arts make my child violent?

Absolutely not! We don't teach kids how to kick and punch – jiu jitsu isn't about that.

Instead, we teach kids self-defense as a tool for personal growth and development.

Kids learn to treat others as they want to be treated. They learn to respect all living things – from their parents to pets.

Often, kids who had violent tendencies before they joined our class changed, and became more respectful of other people's space. So no, martial arts won't make your child violent!

Is it safe for my child to learn self-defense?

Absolutely. Safety is our top priority. Unlike striking arts that teach punching and kicking, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu focuses on control, leverage, and escape techniques. All training is done in a controlled environment with certified instructors who specialize in working with children. We've maintained a perfect safety record since 2018 with zero serious injuries.

Will self-defense training make my child more aggressive?

No, quite the opposite. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu teaches control, not aggression. Children learn when NOT to use techniques just as much as when to use them. We emphasize de-escalation, walking away when possible, and only using physical skills as a last resort. The discipline and respect built through training actually reduces aggressive behavior.

What if my child is small or not naturally athletic?

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is perfect for smaller children because it's based on leverage and technique, not size or strength. Many of our most successful students started as quiet, non-athletic kids who built confidence through progressive skill development. Our instructors work with each child's individual abilities.

Start Their 2 Weeks This Week

Their First Class Could Be This Week

—
Days Away
10
Classes Available
14
Day Trial
Kids BJJ group training at Journey Academy Madison

$49 · Free Uniform · No Commitment

Start Their 2 Weeks for $49

It starts by claiming their spot — fill out a short form, schedule their first class, and we'll see them on the mats.

Call (608) 416-1140