If you are thinking about trying Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and have absolutely no experience, this is…read moreyour sign to just do it I honestly just made the jump and tried it. No overthinking. I just went for it. It definitely helped having my friend there for my first class, but I was hooked immediately. Joining Gracie Barra Aliso Viejo has honestly been one of the best decisions I have made. I have put my all into this and showed dedication and discipline working my butt off almost a whole month straight. Jiu jitsu challenges you in the best way physically and mentally. Learning the techniques, strategies, and how to react against your opponents has been such a rewarding experience. Every class I leave feeling stronger, more confident, and excited to keep learning. The atmosphere here is honestly infectious. Not only are the professors and coaches incredibly welcoming, but everyone participating makes you feel like you belong too. Whether you are brand new or experienced, people encourage you, help you, and want to see you improve. The fundamentals classes are just the beginning and there is so much to learn. I already cannot wait to compete and continue growing in this journey. I really want to honor the Gracie Barra family because they have built such an encouraging and welcoming environment. Huge thank you to my colleague Brooke Visagie for encouraging me to just try it out. You were absolutely right because I was hooked after the first class. Bonus too, you get to visit other Gracie Barra gyms with your visitor card which is such a cool experience. I love the little quirks each gym does and the different vibes they bring. Shout out to San Clemente and HQ for the opportunities to train and spar at your gyms. I seriously cannot recommend Gracie Barra Aliso Viejo enough. If you have been thinking about trying it, just do it. No experience needed. Everyone starts somewhere and you might just end up hooked like me

When I first joined Gracie Aliso Viejo, I was looking for something physical. I'm not really into…read moreyoga or Pilates. I love weightlifting and hiking, but I wanted something that would not only challenge me physically, but also benefit me in my everyday life. I signed up for a free trial and after my very first class, I immediately understood why I needed this. As a mom, I often do things alone with my daughter. It hit me that if anyone ever tried to hurt me or take her, I wouldn't have the skill set or the size to confidently protect us. That realization is what pushed me to sign up right away. I'm not the best at it (yet!), but the instructors are incredibly patient and kind. From Victor to Ji (apologies if I misspelled that), they are excellent teachers. They break things down clearly, encourage you, and create such a supportive environment. I still catch myself saying "sorry" or freezing in certain situations, but every class reminds me why I'm here and why this training matters. It's challenging in the best way like solving physical puzzles. If you enjoy testing yourself and learning something completely new, this is perfect. Even if you've never thrown a punch in your life (like me!), it's fun, safe, and welcoming. Everyone is kind and nonjudgmental. The studio is extremely clean, family-friendly, and professionally run. I'm already so excited for my daughter to try soon!

As a father of three boys, I can confidently say that enrolling them at Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu…read moreAcademy OC has been one of the best decisions we've made for our family. The positive changes I've seen in my kids go far beyond the mats. Through their training, they've developed real-life skills like discipline, respect, independence, responsibility, and accountability--and what truly stands out is that they don't just practice these values in class, they apply them every day at home, at school, and in public. Our boys genuinely look forward to every class, which speaks volumes about the environment and instruction at the academy. While they are absolutely developing strong physical skills and confidence, what impresses me most is the foundation of character being built. This academy is helping shape young people who are respectful, self-aware, and prepared for success both on and off the mat. One of my favorite moments as a parent is seeing the reactions of others when my 3- and 5-year-old naturally respond to adults by saying "sir" or "ma'am"--without any prompting. That level of respect is clearly being modeled and reinforced consistently. Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy OC is more than a martial arts school--it's a place where kids grow into confident, respectful, and accountable individuals. I'm grateful for the impact it has had on my boys and highly recommend it to any parent looking for something truly meaningful for their children.

This place is amazing! My son has been going here since he was 5 years old. All coaches are very…read more committed to their students and give personal attention to help them succeed. Everyone is very friendly and it always feels like a small family.

The Instruction:…read more I've been involved with jiu-jitsu for over a decade and have floated around various gyms, but have always found my way back to Jason and Albert. I have learned from both Jason and Albert individually over the years; both have shaped and influenced my style significantly. So, naturally, when they came together as partners it was a no-brainer for me to return. They will accommodate any skill level and will help and nurture you to achieve your goals. Be it weeknight warrior or Champion. As a result the intensity and vibe of practices will evolve from week to week, but the Dojo will always be a fun and safe atmosphere to train in. The Facilities: Clean Clean Clean. I've never had any mat-borne afflictions since training at the Dojo! There are also weight machines and dumbbells available for use during class hours if you need to get your pump on instead.

Jason is the sexiest Jui Jitsu instructor I have ever had the pleasure being instructed by. His…read moreGluteus Maximus muscles were beyond amazing. As he was choke holding me, every single fiber in the bottox area were dancing like Jon Travolta's hot pants in Saturday Night Fever. Let me get this straight, I am a straight, not homosexual type of guy, my wife is hotter than Jessica Alba in the movie: Into the Blue but when I saw the baby got back on Instructor Jason B. I almost turned gay! None the less the hotness of the instructor doesn't take away from the friendly, well skilled environment the club has to offer! I recommend this place to the serious UFC-Silva heads to the just beginning IDK-WTH I'm doing type crowd! Very welcoming environment no intimidation here at all!

Finding extracurriculars that benefit kids and something they truly enjoy is difficult. This was…read moreour second martial arts studio and my son was beaming from cheek to cheek. Staff is friendly and everyone is so kind. Everyone feels like family here and the kids all seems to have such a wonderful time. They offer 1:1, youth, and adult classes. This is a smaller location but the vibe is the best I've ever seen or felt. They offer a trial class and youth group classes are on the smaller side which is beneficial! Classes can be $100 a month for once a week, $155 for twice a month, or $185 for unlimited.

I restarted my jiu-jitsu journey 17 months ago after a long break, and honestly, walking into…read moreAlliance Laguna Hills was one of the best decisions I've made. From the moment I stepped on the mat, I felt welcomed; not judged. The professors bring a balance of technical precision and genuine encouragement. Every class feels purposeful. Every roll teaches you something new. What really stands out is the community. We celebrate each other's progress, push through tough training days together, and show up for one another. The energy here is unmatched ; it's family, it's accountability, and it's growth all in one. Whether you're a beginner, a competitor, or just trying to get back into it -- you'll find your place here. Alliance Laguna Hills reminded me why I fell in love with jiu-jitsu in the first place.

Master Goes is the the best. He is so patient and understanding with the kids. We've been with him…read morefor 7 years now and our kids learn so much from Master.

Absolutely the greatest BJJ/ MMA gym around. The mats are well kept, the atmosphere is fun, all…read moremembers know the importance of respect and kindness, everybody is very welcoming, and the list goes on and on. Most importantly, the knowledge and passion of Master Allan Goes. By watching him for just a few minutes, you can tell that he is the real deal. Pure Brazilian Jiu Jitsu roots taught so well. Could not recommend enough, come join the family and experience one of the greatest living Jiu Jitsu masters on the planet

Just finished my first month at RYSK Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Laguna Hills--what a gem! After…read moretraining in various disciplines I know how crucial a truly safe, ego-free, family-oriented spot is, so I watched classes for a week or two before jumping in. Glad I did--this place delivers. I've been training both No-Gi and Gi (mostly Gi here), attending the 6:00 AM sessions with competition purple belt Natasha Dillon. She's excellent: clear breakdowns, super informative, and always eager to teach, drill, or roll. I've also caught sessions with head instructor Chico Lima --my personal schedule doesn't always align, but he's kind, masterful, and drops those high-level details that elevate everything. From the classes I have attended they blend a sort of chain drilling for teaching techniques with resistance training and live rolling available every session. The chain drilling here goes way beyond the repetitive one-technique "monkey see, monkey do" teachings some places practice. It forces you to think through your options, adapt on the fly, and see the game from new angles. I personally love that depth; it makes training feel more dynamic and strategic. Mats are spotless, vibe is supportive and humble. I will write an update in a few months on my progress, training, and vibe etc. but I wanted to put this review out there because this is something I would have wanted to know when I was looking for a new training spot. Anyways if you're in looking for competitive-yet-kind training community where you can grow safely, check out RYSK. Highly recommend. -EZ

Hands down one of the best BJJ studios in OC!!!!We visited a few spots before picking Rysk BJJ. A…read morefew of our friends kids have been coming here for a few years and spoke so highly of Master Francisco Lima and his BJJ Studio. My girls were really apprehensive at first and after meeting Master Chico and trying out they were all about it. My girls have been going here for 3 months now and the growth I've seen in them in terms of confidence, discipline and just overall happiness has been tremendous!! Highly recommend Rysk BJJ to all!!!

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.

Coach Jimmy Stahl is the MAN. He's a great coach with real fights under his belt, it doesn't matter…read moreif your a beginner or experienced, if you get the opportunity to do a 1 on 1 session with him it will be worth it.10/10 highly recommend. Great dude.

If you're on the hunt for a gym that feels like a second home, MMT Fitness in Mission Viejo is…read morewhere you want to be. I've been going for a little over a year, and every day I walk in with a smile and leave feeling stronger -- in body and mind. - ** Frankie, the owner, and the entire staff** are incredibly kind, respectful, and incredibly supportive. - They don't just coach; they teach. Their approach is patient, clear, and highly effective, ensuring you truly understand movements and techniques--no matter your level. - The atmosphere makes you feel **safe and comfortable** from the moment you step through the door. It's a place where questions are welcomed, and progress is celebrated. - I've been attending for a little over a year, taking a combination of **private lessons and group classes**. - This gym has become a highlight of my days and weeks. It's where I get excited about improving, setting goals, and tackling new challenges. - Physically, MMT has equipped me with strength, mobility, and confidence I didn't know I could achieve. Mentally, it's been a powerful boost -- a reliable outlet for stress, a source of motivation, and a daily reminder that growth is possible with consistency. The gym culture at MMT is **unbelievably welcoming**. It genuinely feels like you've joined a family rather than just joined a gym. - You'll quickly find yourself making friends, cheering others on, and shared moments of accomplishment that reinforce that sense of belonging. - It's the kind of place where you want to bring friends and introduce them to the community because you know they'll be met with warmth and encouragement. - If you're looking for a **safe environment to grow in a new sport**, MMT Fitness is it. - The combination of top-notch instruction, supportive staff, and a contagious, positive energy makes it easy to stay committed and excited about progress. - You'll come for the workouts and stay for the people who help you become a better version of yourself -- physically, mentally, and emotionally. If you're ready to train in a place that feels like family, where your safety, growth, and happiness are prioritized, I cannot recommend MMT Fitness enough. Give it a try and see how quickly you'll want to book your next session and bring a friend along for the ride.