This review is long overdue! My entire family trains at this gym. BJJ has truly transformed us for…read morethe better. My kids have gained so many valuable life skills both on and off the mat -- confidence, strength, resilience, and discipline. This gym has become like a second home for us. We absolutely love all the coaches here; it's evident how much they care about the growth and development of each student. They maintain a great balance of structure and fun -- firm enough to keep the kids focused, yet encouraging and engaging so they continue to enjoy the sport. This gym is perfect for the whole family -- kids and adults alike. If you're a woman who's ever felt intimidated or never imagined yourself doing martial arts, this is the place for you. The coaches and community make it so comfortable and welcoming that I was able to ease into BJJ with confidence.

Our son began training here in 2021, during the pandemic, and I was deeply impressed by the…read moreprecautions and safety measures implemented to protect both the children and adults. This academy is, without a doubt, one of the most beginner-friendly places to learn Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, whether for kids or adults. The coaches are not only highly skilled professionals but also teach with genuine passion and dedication. They truly care about the growth of students, both on and off the mat. The environment is welcoming and family -oriented, fostering a strong sense of community and team spirit. Additionally, the ample parking and comfortable seating for waiting parents are much appreciated. As parents, we wholeheartedly endorse this academy and are grateful to be part of its community.

Under new ownership and now named El Monte Jiu Jitsu, the team here is still Checkmat affiliated…read more Head Professor Gabriel leads the team and brings in some of the best people to teach. The skill and support you gain from here is priceless.

Dropped in recently and was really impressed at how clean the facilities were and even more…read moreimpressed by the large mat space. A great academy that caters to children and adults alike, professors Jair and Marat are extremely hands-on, very patient, and extremely technical. I got super lucky... The night I dropped in, professor Leo Vieira was teaching! World class instruction from a BJJ legend!!! Highly recommend Checkmat if you're in the area.

My son was really excited for Ji Jitsu I called he attended a class and he liked it and then i kept…read morereaching out. I called and texted and nothing back.

Excellent training facility- clean environment! Coach Josh creates a safe atmosphere for all…read morestudents to learn in. The owner Josh also recently renovated the space and it looks fantastic. Classes are daily on weekdays at 6pm and Saturday at 10am. Follow @jiujitsuteamamerica for more events and updates. He also offers classes for kids too. It's a great place for kids to learn the fundamentals of BJJ and self defense.

My 6 year old has been coming here for a few months and it's been a great experience. We checked…read moreout a few other spots nearby for some time and found the attention from the coaches here were more suitable. The place is a bit small, but works out well. Plenty of parking in the back. The coaches really make this place great - my kid looks up to them, they are patience, but stern and they do an excellent job teaching the kids.

I started my Jiu Jitsu journey again after a seven year hiatus. Although I was reluctant to start…read moreagain, I cannot express how lucky I was to have found Logic. I admittedly first signed up in light of the fact that the academy offers late morning classes, which perfectly fits my schedule. Although it is an odd time for most, the classes have always had plenty of students of all belt levels. Prof. Lucas and Prof. Thiago have been nothing but outstanding! It is evident that the relationships they have built with their students goes beyond merely being transactional. There is genuine care, trust and concern for everyone's wellbeing and safely. Not a second is wasted during class. The instructors are always open to questions and concerns about the techniques. They tailor the classes to fit the students in attendance; so that nothing is too complex or too remedial. In my experience, my classmates have been nothing but respectful, careful and willing to help out where they can. At other academies I have never witnessed instructors for kids classes genuinely enjoying themselves. This is not the case here. Prof. Thiago beams while teaching. He is undeniably proud of and dedicated to our little ones. If our youth classes garner 1/10th the grace and respect show by Thiago, they will not only turn out to be genuinely good people, but will be confident in what they learn. I understand that writing these types of reviews are biased. But, if you have gotten this far, let me put it simply: Prof. Lucas has built a Jiu Jitsu community that allows for you to get whatever you want out of it. With different locations and instructors you can find what fits your needs. I needed a respite from the world for a few hours a weeks, where I can focus on a skill in a safe environment. I have found that and more.

Amazing dojo: clean, friendly, and incredible for learners of all levels. My son has been attending…read morefor 6 months and he loves both Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu classes. The instructors are extremely mailable, able to adjust to the vast personalities that children offer.

Our kids started jiu jitsu at Silanoe earlier this year, and they absolutely love it. They attend…read moreclasses 1-2 times a week and look forward to every class. The coaches Ivan and Lisa are amazing - incredibly kind, patient, and so good at working with young kids. They create such a positive, encouraging environment that our girls have grown more confident each week. Their front desk, Maria, is also fantastic. She's knowledgeable and super thorough in answering questions. One of the best part is that she often jumps into class to interact with the kids and participates in activities. It shows how invested she is in the program and the kids. We're so grateful to have found Silanoe. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a supportive, well-run martial arts studio!

Professor Mario and coach Heidi are both great instructors & really put their dedication into…read moreteaching the kiddos !

Great training center. Very knowledgeable instructors. The facilities are well kept and clean…read morewhich is very important for any jujitsu gym. I recommend them very highly!

ZR Arcadia is a great place to train. Professor Lucas is one of the nicest guys you'll meet. He…read morewelcomed me with open arms when I started. I can tell you my Jiu Jitsu has reached a new level training at ZR. There is so much talent in this gym and everyone is very nice and respectful. I would definitely recommend ZR if you're looking to get into BJj or just need a new gym.

While I've only been here a couple weeks so far, I am very pleased with Professor Lucas Rocha and…read morehis school. There are many BJJ schools in the neighborhood (actually about 4 on the surrounding blocks). I have tried at least one other school in the area, as well as 3 or 4 more in the SGV but not nearby, and this one impresses me so far. First off, the space is a good size and clean, plus there is ample parking between the street and the free lot in back. The price is decent and the amount of classes offered is good. But what makes a school is the instructor(s). A lot of the places I have tried taking my young son have blue belts or at best purple belts teaching the kids. Some schools do not want to pay a black or brown belt to teach kids. And the curriculum suffers at those schools. Since I've been here, either Professor Rocha or another black belt have taught the children's classes. I cannot tell you how important I feel it is to have a black or at least brown belt teaching your class. In many of the kids classes here, the sizes are also quite manageable. Professor Rocha has split the kids into two groups (Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday - there is also a no Gi Friday class, a combined group class on Saturday morning, and a competition class on Saturdays) so the classes are not over full one day and empty the next. That is smart. So far the classes are about 10 to 12 kids per class. The last few places I tried out had upwards of 25 to 30 kids and with just one or two instructors for the entire class. That was too many. Here you have 10-12 kids and at least two instructors (a black and brown belt) and as many as four instructors (I've seen Professor Rocha teach along with 2 brown belts and a blue belt). With so many instructors, no kid is left behind or falling through the cracks. If a new kid needs special instruction or attention to learn what is going on, one instructor can focus on that new kid (as they did with my son), without the other kids suffering. I also appreciate the teaching style here. Some places let the kids goof around. Not here. Professor Lucas is young and has fun with the kids, but he also will make sure no one is zoning out or goofing off. That is important. Martial Arts should always include self-discipline. I also like that Professor Rocha is the nephew of Ze Radiola (ZR), who is a legend in BJJ. This is one serious place. That his own nephew is the head instructor is fantastic. These are champion builders. You can tell the training is traditional and old school in a good way. Some schools will be teaching brand new students how to do inversions and wild competition stuff that won't work in a real street fight. Here, so far everything I've seen has been practical and wonderfully explained. Simple sweeps done right. Effective take downs. And, happily he works on the core training which any BJJ practitioner needs. Some kid schools don't do this enough, but you need to build your core to lose weight and get faster and stronger. Professor Rochas doesn't neglect any of this. All in all, so far I am very happy. I think this is a very strong school and worth checking out. The adult classes I've seen following the kids classes seem very good, as well. I hope to train here myself one day soon. Highly recommended. At least come in and try a free class or two. You'll probably find yourself hooked, like me.

I have been practicing jiujitsu for almost 10 years. A friend invited me to join her for a noon…read moreclass at mountain. Paul greeted and spent a little time getting to know me before class. Everyone who came in, introduced themselves to me. Such a friendly and inviting environment. Professor Paul's teaching is a clear indication of his deep experience. Complex movements in jiujitsu, when in the hands of a great coach, are delivered with simple language so all levels can learn. That's exactly what I saw. He was very clear, concise and watchful as we practiced. Love it!! After the lesson was open sparing and that was tremendously fun. Everyone was challenging, but showed excitement and sportsmanship during and after the rolls. The culture here is great. All together, I was very happy walking back to my workspace after class. And I look forward to returning for more learning! Thank you for the very warm welcome and for the teaching. Kids, adults, noon and evening classes. If you're in Arcadia, check this place out!

So there I was, dripping sweat from every pore on my face and puffing like a steam engine on an…read moreold-time freight train hauling a load up a steep grade on the Sonora Pass. In a more unrestrained (and less truthful) story, I'd say this scene took place at the apogee of a multi-hour training session, matching wits and physical acumen with opponents of progressively higher rank. In reality the only opponent I was facing was holding a turtle position beneath me, as I spun from side to side across his back. My internal dialog was persistent repetition of a simple mantra: "Just don't quit". I was a blue belt at the time, and that was my first day after a long break in training. Finally in a position to get back on the mat, I did my research and put together a list of jiu jitsu schools to visit. At the top of the list was a little school on First Ave. in Arcadia with basically no social media presence. I went to a noon class, came back for the rest of the week, and never made it to any of the other schools. That was five years ago. It was a Yelp review that brought me in the door to Mountain so after training here for a few months, I left a review of my own. Then I brought in a friend. Then a few more. Now, some of those friends have brought in other friends, the mat has filled with different colors of belts, and it seems like time to update my review. After all, I read Yelp reviews. If I see one from almost half a decade ago, I think, "Fantastic that the business was great back then, but how is it now?" At Mountain BJJ the answer is "Even better". BJJ has exploded over the years and there are lots of great places to train. Downtown Arcadia alone has three excellent academies. Why choose Mountain? Good question. Some good answers: - Because you value detailed, precise instruction. - Because you believe in building a strong base of the fundamentals and practicing until you do them right every time. - Because you've always been curious to try BJJ and you want a school that values mentoring and retaining its new students. - Because you've got enough years to remember when Royce Gracie was the biggest name in MMA and now you've got a life and a career, and you want to train hard with an equal emphasis on not getting hurt. - Because you want to train around other people who feel the same way. It's a long road. You could use a skilled teacher and dedicated training partners to help you along the way. That's exactly what you'll find at Mountain BJJ. See you on the mat!

Legacy- Pasadena is hands down #1! Everything from the quality of their studio; equipment &…read moreuniforms to the incredibly knowledgeable instructors & super kind owner. They are professional, skilled at what they do and passionate about what they teach. They are so patient with the kids and students of all levels and they are all incredibly kind. Professor Gerardo- has patients of an angel. He is knowledgeable & is a remarkable Professor. His coaching style is superior to anyone we've worked with before. He's outstandingly patient with all the kids. Every coach at Legacy has been 100% w every level & every student. I love them all & am so thankful to have found an amazing group of instructors to teach my son and the next generation of kids. The owner, Bryan G. - is one of the kindest owners I have ever met. He took time to speak w me & always checks in w everyone at the studio. He's humble, sincere, thoughtful & passionate about what he does and he's picked the best team around him. His priorities are truly of the care of anyone who walks into Legacy. Paul- front desk manager - he's the best! He was the 1st person I talked to. His genuine kindness & support got me to take the next step. Any questions, he's there with a smile and is happy to help! --------- A second review for their Bang Muay Thai class that is also amazing! I learned so much my first week. Coach Ariel & Coach Bryan are remarkable. They really take time to go through each technique with demonstrations & guidance. They are so helpful with any questions & they not only help you learn but they teach you how to do it right. Coach Ariel has taught, corrected & sharpened the techniques I learned from when I first began my martial arts journey. What I have learned from this class far surpasses all. It's important to have a proper foundation built first then build from there and this class teaches that. Women & moms have also been taking this class and it's been inspiring to train & get strong together w our kids & for our kids. This place is truly the best.

I have taken their sound bath classes and it was really an awakening experience. They have amazing…read morecoaches and plenty of easy schedules to follow. LOVE this place!

I learned a lot about self-defense from Andrew. He explains concepts very well, and he is an expert…read morein teaching situational awareness. The class was paced well, and I highly recommend him to women who want to brush up on or learn self defense techniques.

Andrew is a terrific instructor of firearms training! He points out minor adjustments you can make…read moreto improve your aim and make you feel more at ease. Small changes in positioning and breathing make a world of difference and I'm glad I took a course with him to set myself up for better training moving forward.