Hands down the best decision we've made for our daughter…read more Our daughter has been attending Gracie Barra Costa Mesa for a year now and the growth we've witnessed in her both on and off the mats has been incredible. The level of instruction here is unmatched. Every coach brings not just technique and discipline but heart and intention to every class. They see each student's potential and push them to rise to it. She has advanced so much thanks to their dedication and more importantly she's gained confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging that carries into every area of her life. Jiu jitsu is more than a martial art. It is a way of life. It teaches humility, patience, manners, self-control, and problem-solving. Even at her young age, we've seen her carry herself with more focus, awareness, and kindness. She is stronger physically and mentally because of it. The studio is clean and welcoming with an energy that makes you want to stay. They offer Kangan water which is a huge bonus. There's always plenty of parking and the community here is full of amazing people who genuinely support one another. The vibes are just different--uplifting, positive, and empowering. Gracie Barra Costa Mesa isn't just a place to train. It is a place to grow. Whether you're looking for a powerful way to build confidence in your child or you're an adult wanting to challenge yourself in a life changing way, this is the spot. I couldn't recommend it more.

5/5 Review: Gracie Barra Costa Mesa Jiu-Jitsu -- Professor Elon Sets the Standard…read more Training at Gracie Barra Costa Mesa Jiu-Jitsu has been one of the better decisions we've made for our boy Ben's fitness, discipline, and personal growth. Professor Elon leads with exceptional technical knowledge, patience, and professionalism. He has a unique way of breaking down complex techniques so students at all levels -- from white belt to black -- can truly understand and apply them. The energy on the mats is focused yet welcoming. Every class challenges you to get better, but the environment remains positive, respectful, and supportive. The team embodies the true Gracie Barra values of discipline, integrity, and community. The facility itself is spotless, well-organized, and clearly run with pride. Whether you're looking to learn Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for self-defense, improve fitness, or join a Costa Mesa BJJ family, this academy delivers. Professor Elon's leadership and attention to detail make all the difference -- he pushes you to grow technically, mentally, and physically every single class. #GracieBarra #CostaMesa #JiuJitsu #BJJ #BrazilianJiuJitsu #ProfessorElon #MartialArts #SelfDefense #OCFitness #Discipline #Community

Costa Mesa Jiujitsu has been an absolute gift to our family. They took a shy unsure homeschooled…read morelittle boy and helped transform him into a strong and courageous young man. The change has been incredible to watch. He walks with confidence and truly feels like a champion, not just on the mat but in life. They don't just teach jiujitsu, they build character, teach discipline respect, perseverance and and how to lead. My grandson has learned how to face challenges, push through fear and carry himself with confidence and humility. We are grateful for the positive influence Costa Mesa Jiujitsu has had on his life. If you are looking for a place that will train your Childs body, mind and heart, This is it. highly recommend.

Remarkable coaching staff and who have substantial expertise in the sport and are great…read moreinstructors, particularly with children. They teach great values, and each has a different style and personality that gives students the opportunity to learn different skills in different ways.

I came in for a trail Ji Jitsu class and met the owner Mike. He is super welcoming and humble. He…read moretaught me a lot in the first class and I'm very grateful. Will definitely be coming back when I'm in town! They also offer Mauy Thai, combat self defense... they are truly an amazing self defense school! Just wanted to leave this review. Highly recommend this gym.

This is going to be a different kind of review, but I am yet to go to the Academy. I just moved to…read moreOrange County, and I wanted to continue my Striking and MMA training. I have always been more into striking and one of my heroes is Marco Ruas. I have always wanted to learn Ruas Vale Tudo from the days of his instructional videos and the early UFC video game days. I had no idea where I was moving when I took my Job in HB, and assumed I would live in Santa Ana. I immediately found out about Tomacelli Academy and continued to "bother" Master Tomacelli on IG. I told him about needing personal training and he was the nicest person to me. He answered all my questions and made me feel at home, unfortunately, I moved to HB and haven't found really anytime to go check out the gym. But in general, it seems like a family and you get top notch training. I'm hoping to get there soon and just see rye greatness for myself. But in my experience, this is a great gym!

The Mecca of kids wrestling! Improved my daughter's progress for her Jiu Jitsu by just coming 2…read moremonths with these amazing coaches! Do yourself a favor and sign up

All 3 of my kids spend almost everyday here and I wouldn't change a thing. Best gym for wrestling,…read morejui jitsu , mma, private training etc. the most welcoming team in OC .

Gigakick has been an absolute game changer for me. After moving from LA to Orange County less than…read morea month ago, I honestly thought I'd have to make long drives back to Glendale just to keep up with quality MMA training. I was hesitant at first, but after seeing so many strong reviews and highlights on Instagram, I decided to give Gigakick a try, and I'm so glad I did. One of the biggest reasons this gym stands out is Giga himself. He's not just a coach, he's a top UFC fighter known for his elite striking and for competing against high level, world class opponents. Being able to learn directly from someone performing at that level is something you don't come across often, and it really shows in the quality of instruction. From the moment I walked in, I was welcomed personally by Giga. What really stood out to me is how hands on he is as a coach. At many gyms, it's easy to feel overlooked when coaches are rotating between students, but that's never the case here. Giga is fully present, attentive, and genuinely invested in every single person in the room. He quickly identified key areas I needed to improve, especially my flexibility and hip rotation in striking, and broke everything down in a way that was easy to understand and immediately applicable. What impressed me even more is that his coaching doesn't stop when class ends. He takes extra time to make sure students are improving, offering detailed feedback on technique and making combat sports feel approachable, even if you're still developing your fundamentals. His ability to communicate and teach is top tier. Tammy is incredible as well. She helped me understand the structure of the program, answered all my questions, and made the entire onboarding process smooth and welcoming. She's super responsive and clearly cares about creating a great experience for everyone. After just a short time training here, I knew this was going to be my home gym. Coming from a wrestling background, I've already seen noticeable improvements in my striking, and I now train here almost every day. The community is another huge highlight. Everyone is supportive, respectful, and willing to help each other improve. Teammates are quick to offer guidance and corrections, which makes the learning environment even stronger. On top of all that, the membership is an incredible value. It's easily one of the best priced MMA gyms in Orange County, especially considering the level of coaching and the quality of training you receive. The class schedule is also super convenient. Whether you prefer morning sessions to start your day right or evening classes after work or school, there's something for everyone. If you're serious about improving your skills, getting in shape, or just being part of an amazing community, I can't recommend Gigakick enough! Best MMA gym ever!

One of my girlfriends and I used a pass for a session today- Jeesh haha in a good way! What a work…read moreout. Didn't know who Giga was, he was very open and warm to anyone that had never boxed before. He was very patient with newbies but also wanted you to know what you were doing. You will sweat but feel like you're in a positive environment that helps you learn- and kick your butt. Couldn't recommend enough. Super clean-helpful. All the things. Ps. He also does kids classes. Or all women if you're not comfortable.

We moved to the area 1.5 years ago and got our daughters into jiujitsu just for the fun of it. Now…read morewe're full blown jiujitsu parents and we have no regrets. We're practically there every day of the week. Initially, we did try other gyms and landed on Praia. Why do we love Praia? 1. The coaches- each coach has their unique style and strengths and my daughter appreciates each coach for different things but what they all have in common is their devotion to the love of the sport and they teach in a way where they break things down so the kids can understand. They're patient, they make things fun and they show the kids how to respect others and the mat. 2. The owner Thiago, definition of a true small business owner. Literally building everything from the ground up with real values, hard work, and genuine care for the members of the gym. 3. Clean gym- they're constantly wiping down the mats. The bathroom is always clean. It's never stuffy or smells like sweat. My two daughters and husband go here. We love it for my younger daughter because it's a place for her work on her coordination, make friends and learn discipline and respect. My oldest daughter competes in tournaments and we wouldn't have learned about her skill if it wasn't for Praia. She's learning new skills on and off the mat. With the support of her coaches- she learns how to be a team player, how to deal with tough situations and losses and how to try again and again and again. I would highly recommend Praia to any friends, family or strangers.

We've been training at Praia Jiu-Jitsu for about a year now, and I honestly couldn't be happier…read morewith our experience. Coach Thiago and the entire team are absolutely amazing with kids. You can really tell they take a true ical approach -- it's not just about teaching techniques, but about building confidence, discipline, and respect. Every coach is attentive, patient, and genuinely cares about each child's progress. What I love most is how they know exactly how to connect with kids and keep them engaged while still maintaining structure and professionalism. The environment is supportive, positive, and very well organized. I highly recommend Praia Jiu-Jitsu to any parent looking for a place where their child will not only learn jiu-jitsu, but also grow as a person.

Great place to train with passionate teachers facilitating an environment of successful, resilient,…read moreand strong members. Highly recommend.

Great team of talented people. Friendly and knowledgeable coach. Not any pointless rules. Lots of…read moredifferent classes to take and seem like they are always open for training. Great place for beginners and professionals. Tons of active fighters training and even some old ones too.

I've been training at AOJ MV for almost 2 yrs, I'm there 3-4 times a week for adult classes and my…read morekids go twice a week in the afternoon. We came from Gracie Barra Headquarters, I was there for 4 years before I decided to switch to AOJ. It was the BEST decision I've made in regards to BJJ training. I love everything about AOJ, the classes, the professors, the facility the bathroom! They are often cleaning the mats, windows, bathrooms. The Professors are all highly skilled and the techniques they teach are so much more complex but they break it down so it's easier to understand. I love how the kids group is separated into smaller clusters giving kids more personalized training. AOJ encourages kids to train multiple classes a day/week if they are able to, our previous school limited kids to 2 classes a week. Not bashing GB but they are more of a intro to JJ school, AOJ is more focused on detailed/higher level instruction.

I asked a BJJ black belt friend of mine if he had any recommendations for schools. He said, "If you…read morelive near AOJ, go to AOJ." He is not a student here but it shows the reputation and respect he has for AOJ. I've now been training here for 6+ months and love it. AOJ was one of the few places with morning and evening classes, so it fit my schedule nicely. The Basics class will get you confident quickly because you're being taught by world class professors and coaches. They patiently work with you and make sure you understand the concepts. Not only do you have world class instructors, but the other students all want to help each other get better. There's no egos and it's a great community. Lastly, it's very clean and they have plenty of facilities to shower if you go before work.