Deer Park Jiu-Jitsu for Adults Starting Later
Deer Park is a village of open space and quiet streets, with a green belt of natural areas, Cuba Marsh Forest Preserve just to the west and the paths at Vehe Farm, the Illinois Centennial Farm that now holds the village hall on Cuba Rd. For shopping and dinner, most people head to Deer Park Town Center at Rand Rd and Long Grove Rd.
A lot of adults here stay active, and a lot of them have wondered about trying a martial art but assumed they missed the window. They did not. Brazil 021 is home to Arlington Heights BJJ with world champion black belts Hannette Staack and Andre “Negão” Terencio, and our beginner classes are built for people starting as adults. See the full lineup of jiu-jitsu classes for kids and adults.
Jiu-jitsu runs on technique and leverage rather than size or speed, which is exactly why it works for people starting in their 40s, 50s and later. Plenty of people come for the workout and stay for the problem-solving, since every round with a partner feels a little like a puzzle.
Getting to Brazil 021 From Deer Park
From Deer Park Town Center, take Rand Rd (US-12) southeast to IL-53 south and exit at Euclid Ave. Salt Creek Ln runs between Euclid Ave and Rohlwing Rd, just east of the expressway, and the academy is at 3350 West Salt Creek Ln #117.
From the south side of the village, Lake Cook Rd east to IL-53 south and the same Euclid Ave exit is another simple route.
Deer Park BJJ Classes for Beginners, Adults and Kids
New adults start in Jiu-Jitsu Fundamentals. Each class covers a few core positions, how to escape from the bottom, how to hold a position from the top, and how to train with a partner without getting hurt. You go at your pace, and you can tap and reset any time.
Fitness and mobility come along for the ride. Each class opens with a warm-up for the hips, shoulders and core, drilling is steady work without impact, and over time getting up off the floor or carrying the groceries tends to feel easier.
Grandkids and kids are welcome too. Kids classes build focus, respect and the confidence to handle a bully calmly, and they run in the afternoon before the adult classes start.
- Adults Fundamentals (Gi): Mon & Wed 6:30–7:30 PM
- Adults All Levels (Gi): Tue 6:30–7:30 PM
- Adults Advanced No-Gi: Thu 6:30–7:30 PM; Sat 11:30 AM–12:30 PM
- Kids Class 1, Beginners (ages 3–6): Mon, Tue, Thu & Fri 4:15–5:00 PM
- Kids Class 2, All Levels (ages 7–11): Mon, Tue, Thu & Fri 5:15–6:15 PM; Sat 10:30–11:30 AM (No-Gi)
Women’s Self-Defense With a World Champion
Many women first come to jiu-jitsu for self-defense. Our 6-week Women’s BJJ Self-Defense program is led by Hannette Staack, a 7x World Champion and 3x ADCC champion, and it focuses on staying calm, creating space and getting back to your feet. It is on an interest list right now, and women on the list hear first when the next session is set.
You do not have to wait for it, though. Women train in our regular adult classes every week. Brazil 021 Arlington Heights holds a 4.9-star rating from 32 Google reviews. Book your free first class.
From our blog: Why Every Child Should Try Jiu-Jitsu in Arlington Heights.
