I tried out a few schools in the Southern IL area before going to HeadNodHQ. It is a highly recommendable school to learn and practice jiu-jitsu. The competition from classmates is highly motivating, which makes it an overall awesome environment. Plus they played some Rebelution during sparring once and that was awesome

Amazing BJJ gym! Top notch instruction and fantastic training partners.

Amazing atmosphere had a great time. Everyone was very nice and supportive and could tell everyone wants to see you succeed great for all levels. Highly recommend!

Were a couple of weeks in and our daughter is loving it:- welcoming gym atmosphere- excellent communication (automated system helps you through the onboarding process, and the gym owner is very accessible via text/email)- solid price for the amount and level of training (pre-teen/teen and adults have at least one training option every day of the week)- class levels for kids, pre-teens/teens and adults- class commonly includes technique overview and a lot of hands on practice/competition with other students- some advanced students help run the kids classes- other parents are very friendly and happy to discuss their experiences- very accommodating as to lending us equipment until we were able to purchase our ownSome additional observations:- things move super fast at the pre-teen/teen level as theres somewhat of an assumption that you know how to tap out of a submission, know various BJJ/martial arts terms and concepts, and know whats expected of you as a student at the gym (we did some research ahead of time and introduced our daughter to some concepts but it could be intimidating to those completely unfamiliar with BJJ)- classes can vary widely in how many students might attend on a given night, which can lead to 1 instructor working with 3 up to14+ people; a really full class can be tough for new BJJ practitioners as they likely need more directive guidance.- the sparring part of each class is a double edged sword. Its a great opportunity for the kids to get hands on experience in a semi-competitive situation. On the other hand, if the inexperienced students regularly pair up they dont learn as much as if they paired up with a more advanced student. The advanced students rightfully want their time with similarly skilled classmates so they can test themselves - but theres something to be said about mastery coming from the ability to teach another. An 8-10 year old will not likely seek out and gain a pairing with a 15 year old who is mainly looking for other similarly skilled students. Perhaps a bit more coordinated rotation so newer students can get some additional time with more skilled students could yield benefits for all.All that being said, weve been pleasantly surprised with HeadNodHQ. We never thought such high quality BJJ training could be had this close to home and at such an affordable price.

Great school, first class instruction, and excellent people to train with!

I have been training jujitsu for about 5yrs and at 55 am one of the oldest guys in the gym. This is a great sport for any age. Everyone at the gym is very respectful and great to train with. The classes are fun and the mood is kept light. All the instructors are very knowledgeable and always willing to help you with anything your having an issue with.

I can’t say enough good things about this gym. It can be very intimidating and scary going into a martial arts gym for the first time and two years ago I did just that and it turned out to be the best decision of my life. The two head coaches are incredible people and all the people that train there are very welcoming and inviting. It’s an amazing environment to better yourself and change your life too.

Wow, what a great place. I had been contemplating doing BJJ for quite some time, and wasnt sure where to start. I had considered a few gyms in the area, but my closest friends that did BJJ all went here. So, I gave them a shot. HeadNodHQ was a pleasant surprise. Everyone from students to instructors have been very friendly, and are supportive of me being a new student. I am messaged regularly, and was given two free weeks to try out. I feel very comfortable here and plan on being here for a long time.

This gym is a fantastic place to learn BJJ. The instructors Steve and Josh are down to earth people and easy to get along with. They are both very knowledgeable and have a curriculum that makes sense. I would highly recommend this gym to anyone who wants to increase their confidence, fitness, bjj skill and make great friends.

Ive trained here for awhile now, most fun group of guys youll ever meet, hands down. Train here.

Great instructors, I highly recommend.

A very enjoyable place ran by wonderful people.

I’ve been doing BJJ at Headnod HQ for approximately 2.5 years. I’ve found this gym to be a great place for the average Joe to lose weight, learn self-defense, and interact with fun people.For the competitor, Headnod HQ offers a great atmosphere to build skill and even has specific competition classes.Headnod HQ has great instructors that are extremely knowledgeable and will expand any persons ability in the art no matter the skill level.

When I decided to quit powerlifting a few years ago I needed to find a heart healthy, competitive alternative, so I started training jiu jitsu. I walk into Headnod, not knowing anyone, and everyone was very welcoming and eager to help and offer advice. Josh and Steve and the other coaches have a ton of experience and knowledge to pass to their students. Awesome gym!! #mulletlife

Great gym. Josh, Steve, and Christian are all awesome instructors....they have classes for all age groups. My 12 year old started going a couple months ago and was super nervous about even starting to roll at all. Now, shes amped to compete in the fuji tournament in October. Ive seen her improve from not knowing the difference between shooting and sprawling to now being able to escape armbars and rear naked chokes from kids twice her size. All the instructors....and other adults on team headnod....are great with the kids and give them all the advice they need to succeed in bjj. If you or your kids want a good way to stay in shape and learn bjj, this is a great gym to help you accomplish your goals.

I started Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at HeadNodHq 3-4 years ago and my life has changed tremendously. I’ve made a ton of new friends and learned a sport I didn’t know I was going to fall in love with instantly. Jiu jitsu is now apart of my everyday life and it’s changed my life for the better. I started at 230 pounds and now I weigh 160. I love this gym and the environment it brings. It’s so laid back there. Give this gym a try!