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Kraken Jiu Jitsu - Ardmore OK

5 ★★★★★ 12 Google reviews · Judo dojo in Ardmore, Oklahoma

Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens

Affiliated dojo — reviews and the dojo's own info point to a recognized judo governing body or lineage (think USA Judo, USJA, USJF, Kodokan or Tenri). If affiliation matters to you, ask which body the dojo belongs to and under whom the head sensei earned their black belt.

Plan your first class

  • Membership memberships run around $25/mo — many dojos also offer a discounted first month and family plans, so ask about new-member rates
  • Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
  • Kids & youth classes kids and youth judo classes (ages 6–14) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule krakenardmore.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (940) 580-0215

Hours

Monday 5–8 PM
Tuesday 5–8 PM
Wednesday Closed
Thursday 5–8 PM
Friday 6–8 PM
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed

Hours shift for holidays, seminars, and open-mat times — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

Judo classes on the schedule at Kraken Jiu Jitsu - Ardmore OK, confirmed in members' own reviews and the dojo's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Judo 5 mentions

“3 of my kids have been involved in the kid classes, the coaches have been encouraging and helped the kids feel comfortable.”

All dojos that run kids judo →

Teens

“As a teen girl I’m really inspired by the women that get on the mat.”

All dojos that run teens →

🤸 Throws (Nage-waza)

“There's no feeling in the world quite like sailing through the air when a training partner executes a shoulder throw.”

All dojos that run throws (nage-waza) →

🛡️ Self-Defense

“In 2020 I started training Jujitsu for fun and self defense.”

All dojos that run self-defense →

Other martial arts here

Judo dojos are often multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at Kraken Jiu Jitsu - Ardmore OK — mined from their reviews and the dojo's own info.

🥋 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu 4 mentions

“Coach Kyle has been welcoming and supportive of me coming in as a new adult female with no jiu-jitsu experience.”

Other dojos that also teach brazilian jiu-jitsu →

🛡️ Self-Defense

“In 2020 I started training Jujitsu for fun and self defense.”

Other dojos that also teach self-defense →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the dojo's own info — they show what members have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want BJJ, wrestling, or sambo alongside your judo, confirm the current schedule with the dojo.

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 12 Google reviews — in their own words.

🌱 welcoming to beginners 5 mentions

“Coach Kyle has been welcoming and supportive of me coming in as a new adult female with no jiu-jitsu experience.”

🤝 respectful, no-ego dojo 7 mentions

“Coach Kyle has been welcoming and supportive of me coming in as a new adult female with no jiu-jitsu experience.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 3 mentions

“Kyle, the head coach at Kraken and Jeff the assistant coach, are constantly helping us improve our technique.”

💗 welcoming to women 2 mentions

“Coach Kyle has been welcoming and supportive of me coming in as a new adult female with no jiu-jitsu experience.”

🧠 builds confidence & discipline 2 mentions

“We focus so much on training in different areas that are only a small portion of the job.”

From the reviews

In 2020 I started training Jujitsu for fun and self defense. The bonus most people don’t expect is the community of kids and adults supporting each other. The kids classes are always fun and help us learn and grow in our jujitsu abilities and the same goes for the adult and judo classes.

★★★★★ — Mckinley, Feb 2024

Coach Kyle has been welcoming and supportive of me coming in as a new adult female with no jiu-jitsu experience. The community aspect of Kraken has been a great experience for my whole family. 3 of my kids have been involved in the kid classes, the coaches have been encouraging and helped the kids feel comfortable.

★★★★★ — Sarah, Feb 2024

For years, numerous coworkers and friends would constantly tell me of the need to start training. We focus so much on training in different areas that are only a small portion of the job. It wasn’t until I got a phone call from a good friend and coworker who was training at Kraken at the time.

★★★★★ — Landon, Feb 2024

Kraken Jiu Jitsu is a fantastic place to learn Brazilian Jiujitsu and Judo. The instructors are phenomenal and give each student's technique attention. I've been training here for three years and couldn't imagine being anywhere else. The Judo instruction is particularly fun.

★★★★★ — Zac, Feb 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 12 reviews →

New to judo? Start at Kraken Jiu Jitsu - Ardmore OK

Kraken Jiu Jitsu - Ardmore OK comes up as a beginner-friendly dojo — noted on their own site. If you've never stepped on a mat, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or flexible to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and sensei scale the intensity to you. Second, you'll start by learning to fall safely (ukemi) — reputable dojos build fundamentals (breakfalls, grips, a first throw and some groundwork) for weeks, live randori eases in gradually, and tapping early keeps everyone safe. Third, all levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out, and remember to bow in and show respect (rei). Most dojos are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first judo class at Kraken Jiu Jitsu - Ardmore OK

Nervous about walking into a judo dojo for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good sensei expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, learning to fall safely (ukemi), then drilling a throw or two and some groundwork with a partner — not hard randori. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: athletic wear you can move in (or a judogi if you have one); you'll train barefoot on the mats. What to bring: water and a mouthguard if you have one — many dojos lend a loaner judogi for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own judogi. Live randori eases in gradually, once your fundamentals are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the sensei. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.

Judo is a contact sport. Ease in, tap early and often, listen to your sensei, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find Kraken Jiu Jitsu - Ardmore OK

19 W Broadway St, Ardmore, OK73401

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this dojo? Claim your listing — it's free.