Every fight begins on your feet and ends up on the ground. Because of this, we believe you should train that way in order to be prepared, whether it's on the street or in competition. Our system at The Sanctuary Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Judo allows you to develop your game on your feet and on the ground.
#1 BEST JIU-JITSU & FITNESS CLASSES
ENGLEWOOD, CO
1 WEEK FREE !!
Train with Purpose. Grow with Confidence. Become the Strongest Version of Yourself.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Judo are the best martial arts for self defense.
Come and Join the Best Martial Arts School in Englewood, Colorado!
Jiu-Jitsu Taught by 3rd degree Rigan Machado Black Belt Ben Lowry.
Judo Taught by Olympian and 2nd Degree Bjj Black belt Charlee Minkin.
CLASSES & PROGRAMS
TESTIMONIALS
Lucas Madsen
Denise Costianes
Alexander Grösgen
Jonathon Swanson
Learn Real Self-Defense With Brazilian JiuJitsu in Englewood, CO
Finding the right place to train can change your entire outlook on fitness and self-defense. At The Sanctuary Brazilian JiuJitsu and Fitness, our mission is simple: help you grow into the strongest, most confident version of yourself. Our blend of JiuJitsu and Fitness in Englewood, CO gives you access to world-class instruction in a supportive, down-to-earth environment. Whether you’re just starting your journey or looking for advanced training that challenges your abilities, you’ll find a team that’s invested in your success. Many of our students discover us while searching for jiujitsu in or the surrounding areas and choose us because we offer a more personal, community-centered approach. Our academy is a place where people of all ages can learn, train hard, and feel welcome.
Brazilian JiuJitsu has grown rapidly over the last decade, but what makes The Sanctuary stand out is our commitment to authentic, pressure-tested techniques taught with patience and clarity. You won’t feel lost in a crowded room or pressured to keep up with a pace that doesn’t match your experience level. Instead, you’ll receive guidance that helps you improve step by step. Our mats are a place where everyday people develop real-world self-defense skills, get in shape, and join a community that genuinely cares about their progress. Training here isn’t about ego. It’s about learning to approach problems calmly, think strategically, and apply technique in a way that works for all body types. That’s why so many students searching for Brazilian JiuJitsu make the drive to train with us in Englewood.
The Sanctuary is built on the belief that martial arts should be accessible, safe, and empowering. Our Brazilian JiuJitsu and Fitness classes in Englewood, CO give you a well-rounded training experience that builds strength, conditioning, and practical skill. You’ll learn how to control an opponent, escape dangerous situations, and defend yourself using leverage instead of brute force. At the same time, our fitness programs help you increase endurance, mobility, and overall well-being. We welcome families, professionals, athletes, beginners - anyone ready to improve their life through training. When you step onto our mats, you become part of a supportive community that celebrates growth at every level. If you're searching for a meaningful way to stay active, reduce stress, or learn something that could help you in a real-world situation, this is the place to start.
ABOUT THE SANCTUARY
Transform your life, and gain real-world self-defense skills with Colorado's top choice for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu located conveniently in Englewood, Colorado our program is designed for anyone seeking a dynamic workout, practical martial arts training, and a supportive community atmosphere.
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Building Stronger Bodies and Minds through Brazilian JiuJitsu and Fitness in Englewood, CO
Training at The Sanctuary means learning in an environment designed to set you up for success. Our programs for Brazilian JiuJitsu and Fitness in Englewood, CO combine proven martial arts principles with modern strength and conditioning methods. Whether you’re interested in martial arts, mixed martial arts, judo, self-defence classes, or general fitness, we create a balanced approach that challenges and motivates you. Students appreciate the structure of our classes - clear instruction, hands-on coaching, and drills that build real skill. You’ll learn how to think under pressure, move efficiently, and build the kind of strength that translates into everyday life. This is training that supports your physical and mental growth at every step.
One of the reasons people choose The Sanctuary over other mma classes or martial arts gyms is our focus on community. Training is more than just showing up for a workout. It’s developing the confidence to stand tall, the discipline to keep progressing, and the resilience to push through challenges. Our mix of
judo classes, strength training, and conditioning classes gives students a variety of ways to grow. Even beginners who have never stepped onto a mat quickly feel at home because we scale every class to meet your experience level. If you’re looking for mixed martial arts or
self-defence options that prioritize technique and safety, you’ll find them here.
We believe that everyone deserves access to high-quality instruction, whether they’re joining for crossfit-style conditioning, personal growth, or advanced martial arts training. Our coaches are experienced, patient, and dedicated to helping you develop confidence through consistent progress. Each session blends technical education with real-world application, ensuring you walk away stronger, more capable, and more aware of what your body can do. Many of our students come in searching for personal training or 1-1 training that supports their goals, and they discover that our approach gives them exactly what they’ve been missing: clear guidance, supportive coaching, and a community that believes in them. When you train at The Sanctuary, you’re choosing a place that cares about your journey as much as your results.
BEST ADULT BJJ & JUDO
- Complete Grappling Expertise: Master Judo's throws and BJJ's groundwork for dominance in any self-defense scenario.
- Peak Physical Conditioning: Achieve unparalleled fitness, strength, endurance, and agility.
- Effective Self-Defense: Gain the confidence and skills to protect yourself and loved ones.
- Mental Fortitude: Develop discipline, focus, resilience, and strategic thinking under pressure.
- World-Class Instruction: Learn from experienced, certified Black Belts in both BJJ and Judo.
- Supportive Community: Train in a motivating, respectful environment suitable for all levels, from beginner to advanced competitor.
BEST KIDS BJJ & JUDO
- Unshakable Confidence: Mastering techniques in both Judo and BJJ builds incredible self-esteem.
- Comprehensive Self-Defense: Learn effective standing (Judo throws/defense) and ground (BJJ control/submissions) skills for anti-bullying and safety.
- Enhanced Discipline & Focus: Improve concentration and respect through structured training inherent in martial arts.
- Superior Fitness: Develop coordination, power, balance (Judo), agility, strength, and healthy habits (BJJ & Judo).
- Positive Social Skills: Build teamwork, friendships, and communication skills within our supportive Jiu-Jitsu community.
Why Choose Us
What Makes the Sanctuary Brazilian JiuJitsu and Fitness One of the Most Trusted Brazilian Jiujitsu and Fitness Programs in Englewood, CO
Real Self-Defense Training
We teach practical, pressure-tested techniques designed for real-world situations, not just theory or memorized patterns.
Supportive Community Culture
You’ll train alongside people who encourage you, challenge you, and grow with you - no egos, no intimidation.
Coaches Who Care
Our instructors take the time to understand your goals and coach you with patience, clarity, and respect.
Accessible for All Ages and Abilities
Whether you’re a beginner, athlete, or returning student, we ensure you can learn safely and at your own pace.
Safe, Clean, Professional Facility
Our academy is maintained with strict cleanliness standards so students feel comfortable and confident every time they train.
Programs for the Entire Family
Adults, kids, teens, and women’s-only training options ensure every member of your household has a place to grow.
A Focus on Technique Over Strength
We teach BJJ the way it was meant to be taught - relying on leverage, timing, and intelligence, not brute force.
Holistic Fitness Approach
Strength training, conditioning classes, and mobility work complement your martial arts journey for full-body development.
Beginner-Friendly Environment
No experience is required. We guide you through fundamentals step by step so you always feel supported.
Fitness Classes
- Achieve significant weight loss and burn fat effectively.
- Break through fitness plateaus.
- Develop lean muscle and sculpt their physique.
- Increase strength, power, and endurance.
- Improve overall fitness in a fun and challenging group setting.
- Learn new skills and master a variety of equipment.
PERSONAL TRAINING
We also offer one on one personal training! We can help with everything from workout design to meal plans. Our top of the line Personal Trainers can help you achieve your fitness goals!
Grappling Training That Fits Englewood's Growing Community
Englewood has changed shape over the past decade, with light rail access along the C and D lines pulling in young professionals who commute to downtown Denver while still calling South Broadway home. That same population searching for a gym in Englewood increasingly finds The Sanctuary BJJ, where Ben Lowry, a third-degree Rigan Machado black belt, and Charlee Minkin, an Olympic judoka and second-degree BJJ black belt, lead the academy's Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Judo programs.
The program blends judo throws with jiu-jitsu ground control, giving students a complete grappling toolkit instead of an incomplete version of one art. Someone stepping onto a mat for the first time gets matched with training partners who know how to build confidence gradually, while more seasoned grapplers get pushed by teammates who bring genuine intensity to every round. That range keeps the room welcoming to newcomers without slowing down progress for anyone already competing.
Residents near the CityCenter area or the revitalized stretch of South Broadway often mention convenience as their first reason for training here, then mention the coaching once they attend a class. A search for Jiu Jitsu in Englewood turns up plenty of nearby options, but few gyms pair Olympic-caliber judo instruction with a highly credentialed BJJ black belt teaching side by side in the same room. That pairing changes how fundamentals get introduced, since students learn takedowns and ground control as one connected system rather than two separate subjects. Many students commuting home from downtown Denver on the light rail simply get off a stop early and walk straight into an evening class before heading home for the night.
Practical Self-Defense Built Through Real Repetition
Grappling arts reward consistency far more than raw athletic ability, which explains why so many Englewood residents pursuing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Englewood stay with the sport long after other workouts stop holding their interest. Students improve through structured drilling, live training, and consistent coaching feedback. That visible progression gives students something most fitness routines never quite deliver: a clear, measurable sense of genuine improvement.
Kids classes run alongside the adult program, teaching younger students age-appropriate versions of the same judo and jiu-jitsu fundamentals their parents train. Families in Englewood frequently start with one adult signing up, then bring their children in once they notice the discipline and confidence the training builds. Training becomes a shared family activity rather than competing obligations pulling different family members in different directions across the week. Parents often say the biggest change they notice at home isn't physical at all, but a calmer, more focused kid after a few months of steady practice.
Strength Classes and Personal Coaching for Englewood Members
Members looking for more than mat time join the strength and conditioning classes running alongside BJJ and judo, which combine bodyweight movement, Olympic lifting patterns, and metabolic conditioning into a single session. These workouts reinforce performance on the mats directly, since better conditioning means longer rounds and quicker recovery between live training exchanges. Many members split their week between grappling and conditioning, using each discipline to strengthen the other.
Personal training addresses goals that group classes alone cannot fully cover, whether that involves rehabbing a nagging injury or preparing physically ahead of a first tournament. Coaches build sessions around each individual's current condition instead of a one-size template, adjusting pace and movement selection as circumstances shift. That adaptability keeps members engaged long after the initial motivation of a first month fades.
Join The Sanctuary BJJ and Start Training in Englewood
Choosing where to train affects far more than a weekly calendar entry. It shapes how quickly someone develops genuine skill, how confident they feel handling a real physical situation, and how much they look forward to showing up week after week. The Sanctuary BJJ gives Englewood residents access to coaching credentials rarely found together under one roof, a program treating judo and jiu-jitsu as a single connected system, and a culture centered on steady growth instead of quick promises.
Very few gyms serving the Englewood area can claim an Olympic judoka and a third-degree black belt coaching side by side in the same classes. Students who choose this gym in Englewood get access to both disciplines along with strength conditioning and personal training, all guided by the same coaching philosophy from day one. That consistency becomes obvious the moment a student compares this experience to a typical commercial gym membership.
Contact The Sanctuary BJJ today or visit the Wadsworth Boulevard location to reserve a spot and start building genuine skill in a community that welcomes every background and experience level. Englewood residents already juggling a commute and a full schedule often find that a short drive to Lakewood is a small price for coaching this consistent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need experience to start Brazilian JiuJitsu?
Not at all. Most beginners start with no prior martial arts background. We teach fundamentals step by step and make sure you feel comfortable from day one.
What should I bring to my first JiuJitsu class?
Comfortable workout clothing and water are all you need. We’ll help with gear recommendations once you’re ready.
Are your JiuJitsu and Fitness classes in Englewood, CO safe for beginners?
Yes. Safety is our top priority. We focus on controlled drilling, proper technique, and teaching students how to train intelligently.
Do you offer classes for kids?
Yes. Our kids BJJ and Judo programs help children build confidence, discipline, and real self-defense skills in a positive environment.
How is JiuJitsu different from other martial arts?
Brazilian JiuJitsu emphasizes leverage and technique over strength. It focuses heavily on ground control, submissions, and practical self-defense.
Do you offer self defence classes?
Yes. Our programs teach real-world self-defense skills based on technique, awareness, and smart movement - not striking alone.
Will training help me get in shape?
Absolutely. Students notice improvements in strength, mobility, endurance, and overall fitness within their first few weeks.
Is your gym similar to an MMA or crossfit gym?
We offer elements of strength and conditioning similar to crossfit and skills used in mixed martial arts, but our focus is on high-quality instruction and safe training environments.
What ages can join your classes?
We offer programs for kids, teens, and adults, with training options that support each age group’s needs.
How often should I train?
Most beginners start with two to three classes per week. As you progress, you can increase training frequency based on your goals.
Can women train in your regular classes?
Yes. We welcome women in all classes and also offer safe, supportive training environments specifically geared toward women’s self-defense.
Do you offer personal training or 1-1 coaching?
Yes. We provide custom one-on-one sessions focused on strength, conditioning, technical improvement, or self-defense.
What if I'm not very athletic?
You don’t need to be. Brazilian JiuJitsu is based on technique and leverage. Improvements come naturally as you train.
Still have a question?
Locations We Serve
The Sanctuary Brazilian JiuJitsu and Fitness is located in Englewood, CO and draws students from all over the region who want high-quality training without the ego or intimidation found in some martial arts gyms. Whether you're nearby or a short drive away, you’ll find a welcoming home on our mats.
Areas We Serve
- Lakewood, CO
- Littleton, CO
- Denver, CO
- Englewood, CO
- WheatRidge, CO
Ready to Start Your Journey with Brazilian JiuJitsu and Fitness?
Training at The Sanctuary Brazilian JiuJitsu and Fitness is more than just joining a gym - it’s joining a community that wants to see you succeed. Whether your goal is to learn self-defense, build strength, get in shape, or find a positive activity for your child, we provide the support and guidance to help you grow. Our programs offer a unique blend of skill development and conditioning, giving you a training experience that keeps you motivated and excited to return.
Take Control of Your Safety - Begin Today
No matter your age, background, or experience level, you’ll find a place where you can train safely, make meaningful progress, and connect with people who share your goals. Take the first step today and experience how Brazilian JiuJitsu and structured fitness training can transform your confidence, health, and mindset. We're here to guide you every step of the way.
