Sensei Juan & the entire class was very welcoming for my first visit. It can be intimidating walking into a new dojo but they welcomed me very warmly. The quality & level of instruction is very high and they take their time to make sure you understand each movement & get to practice it over & over to perfect it. I highly recommend this dojo & Sensei Juan & look forward to continued education, community & physical activity. read more

An excellent training center! Professional coaches who find an approach to every student, regardless of their skill level. The atmosphere is friendly, but the training sessions are intense and effective. The facility is well-equipped, clean, and comfortable. It's clear that the staff are truly passionate about what they do and are dedicated to developing their athletes. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in judo! read more

All I can say is WOW. Today was my first official class at OC Judo and I was so impressed with Sensei Juan's instruction and the other practitioners who were my partners. I was a bit intimidated at first, even though I have been training BJJ for over 7 years I only have a limited time training Judo. Sensei Juan explained everything to me and started me off very slow with footwork. I can tell he is one amazing instructor and cares about his students. Likewise my training partners were very nice, Judo is a very physically demanding sport and I appreciated my partners asking me if they were going too hard or not and making sure that we focused on technique. Overall this place is a gem if you want to learn Judo. I have been looking for a place like this for years and I was lucky enough to find somewhere close enough for me to train. Thank you Sensei Juan for your hospitality I will definitely come back. The facility is clean, plenty of parking and everyone was very friendly and nice. read more

Orange County Judo Training Center - Martial Arts Near Me - Garden Grove, California

We have nothing but praise for OC Judo Training Center. Our son started when he was in 3rd grade as we wanted him to gain physical confidence....but he ended up gaining so much more. OC Judo has flexible class schedules and Sensei Juan, Sensei Brian and all the other Senseis are really knowledgeable in Judo and caring about the kids. Over the years, my son competed in several Judo Competitions and gained confidence as he acquired more skills and improved technique. These skills and confidence helped him in other sports over the years too, like soccer and football, because it helps the kids gain balance, flexibility, and strength. If you are considering OC Judo for your son or daughter, stop reading reviews and try it out. You'll see why they have so many 5 star reviews. read more

There are few places in SoCal to train Judo. OC Judo Center is one of those places, and it's awesome. They often host seminars taught by Olympic athletes. Mike Swain and Ronda Rousey both gave seminars - fees were very low, too. The guys and gals who train there are cool people - willing to learn. No egos. Great place to check out. read more

The Sensei's Juan, Tim, Brandon here at OC Judo are among the best. Everyone is very friendly and helpful. If you're new to Judo and hesitant about joining just stop by and meet everyone. This is definitely Judo Gem in Garden Grove read more

Still the best judo dojo in Orange County. If you are a new or an advanced judoka, I would highly recommend that you give OCJTC a try! Sensei Juan and all the Senseis are not only great technicians, but they are super friendly inidividually, and especially welcoming to all comers, new and experienced judoka alike. People come from all over Southern California to train here, including from other disciplines like BJJ. Come see why. read more

Highly recommended!! Years ago when I started my brazilian jiujitsu training I met a black belt in Judo from sensei Juan Montenegro, he told me about his Judo sensei who is a fellow peruvian that came to California in the mid 80's. Then I researched his background and realized he is one of the best instructors nationwide. Since then I wanted to learn Judo from him, soon after getting my black belt in BJJ another friend told me sensei Juan was going to open a morning class at his studio in Garden Grove. After checking on his website, without hesitation I signed up, it's being 4 years since then and it fulfilled my expectations by far. A very knowledgeable sensei with a great eye for details that will push you to the limits if a high level of Judo is what you are looking for. An excellent instructor at all levels with the experience that goes back to the 70's on kids & adults. His reputation as a Judo practitioner and instruction is well known and I can assure you he will be with you or your kids on every step of your training and competitions. A very nice facility with elevated mats perfect for the sport makes it simply amazing. They are a full time Judo studio, so I'm pretty sure you will find a good class that fits your schedule anytime of the week. read more

The Judo instruction here is very technical, and the skill progression is well paced. Sensei Juan makes sure that you learn fundamental movements and concepts in Judo before teaching the more advanced throws and take downs. Before coming here, I tried learning Judo at other schools where I felt like I was thrown into randori without really knowing what was going on. This was not the case here, I genuinely felt more comfortable with basic concepts like grips and foot work after a few weeks. Also, safety is incredibly important. Judo has a reputation for being rough on the body, but the training progression is very gradual (as I've mentioned before). Also, everyone I've trained with has shown a lot of restraint. In addition, a lot of new throws are practiced with an extra safety mat. Another nice thing about this school is that there are many BJJ practitioners that train here. So if that's you, you'll still get a pretty good workout during newaza (ground training). read more

After so many attempts to going to the gym and not feeling any motivation to move, I found OC Judo Training Center to help me continue my motivation for weight loss. I just started last week with their Cardio Boot Camp and I have to say....It was exactly the push that I needed to get going. Each time I finish the class I'm literally drenched in sweat. I'm hooked on this class. The instructor's name is Rustu and he is awesome. I was contemplating whether I should leave my gym, or try something different. I finally went to the boot camp class and was sincerely surprised on how much the instructor really cares about all of his student's goals, and why they were their. I recommend OC Judo Training Center. I give a 5 star to this place. Check it out!!!! read more

After many years out of Judo, I am very happy to have signed back up at Orange County Judo Training Center (OCJTC) under the head instruction of Sensei Juan Montenegro. What I have always enjoyed about this club is the ability to teach all levels from someone who just wants to learn the art, someone who wants to get in shape, or someone who wants to compete a high national level. The club is full of world class athletes from around the world which brings a very well-rounded set of Judo players. The children's program is also very good and teaches great discipline and technique (always good to learn how to fall)... it is a lot of fun for the kids and the parents have a good time watching. There is plenty of seating for people to watch right next to the mats... There is also free WIFI so parents can get work done and multitask. This Judo club is also a family... there are many get togethers, pizza after Friday workouts (long standing tradition of going out Friday after a great workout). I can't say enough good things about this Judo club and the amount of respect for the people who run it... proof is in the pudding... stop by anytime to watch or workout. The investment is very affordable and well worth it. read more

OC Judo is great place. My kids have been attending for several months now and they love it! Highly recommend it.

This is the best place to learn judo in Orange County. It's the only dojo that has training every day with classes in the morning and evening. All the senseis are excellent instructors and there are people from all kinds of grappling backgrounds training. read more

OC Judo Training Center is the best place for judo in Orange County. Sensei Juan is hands down one of the best instructors around! It is also a great place for kids. They are able to learn in clean safe environment. I highly recommend OCJTC! read more

Training is great, people are great, Sensei Juan really pushes us to focus on our technique and is great at details, support nice and supportive. I went to other judo places before I knew about OC Judo to see if I'd like it, but didn't get a vibe with them and thought maybe Judo wasn't for me, but I tried OC Judo and completely love Judo! Great teachers, atmosphere, and workout: ) read more

Top class Kodokan judo training in the heart of Orange County! Under the leadership of Juan Montenegro, 6th degree black belt and former Peruvian national team member, OCJTC preserves traditional Japanese-style judo emphasizing practical fighting ability and striving for the ippon (the fight-ending throw), not winning on points or waiting for the timer to run out! From white belts to black belts, everyone will have the chance to develop new skills thanks to the excellent teaching skills of Montenegro Sensei and the insightful helpfulness of all the black belts at the dojo. With a mind for martial synthesis as well, Montenegro Sensei has welcomed Brazilian jiu jitsu world champion André Galvão onto the mats of OCJTC, and also offers a no gi combat judo class on Saturday mornings as well to foster the growth of well-rounded grapplers here! With six days a week of training, what are you waiting for?! Become physically and mentally strong with the traditional fighting art and Olympic sport of judo with OCJTC! (And don't forget to join us all for pizza and beer after practice on Fridays haha!) read more

By far the best place for Judo. My husband drives several miles to go this place after trying so many other training centers because it is truly a gem. The sensei Montenegro is very nice and they have a great group of people who will for sure motivate you to reach your goals. read more

OC Judo is a great place for kids to learn judo. It has taught my girls responsibility and it has helped them with discipline. They love coming to judo. The Sensis are all great with the kids. They have a way with the kids that make them want to learn. I highly recommend bringing your kids here. read more

I have been training judo since the 70's. This is the best club that i have ever been to for kids. I have two kids (8 & 10). i do not think it is possible for my 8 year old daughter to have better training partners. She competes nationally, and every single day the other kids in the gym are able to push her. Whatever the coaches are doing to attract the level of kids currently in that room, they need to keep it up. Great job, coaches. read more

I was on a quest to find the best grappling art for any occasion street fight, mma competition, and jujitsu tournaments... I started going to many different bjj schools and I was disappointed time and time again because their was no structure to a real life situation.. We would learn one move and then start fighting or grappling from the knees or the guard.. I was not confident on my feet or standing up. I did tons of research and found out that brazilian jujitsu is actually judo but it's the ground judo called newaza... When we think judo we only think stand up throws but that's because the Olympics adopted only the stand up portion because it's more interesting to watch than two guys on the mat playing human chess. I saw many videos on the complete art of judo and I saw that it's the same exact thing as brazilian jujitsu with only a few things modified... Judo practioners are well versed in the takedown to the pin then the mount and submissions so I decided to find a judo school and I found oc judo... Hands down the best instruction in all of California... Sensei juan is amazing at how he teaches.. Most schools pay no,mind to the white belt and after a few sessions of feeling retarded we end up leaving, but that's not the case with him..he makes sure you understand proper body mechanism so that you could be successful at judo. As far as the students are concerned they are the most humble and coolest crowd you will ever meet,we.always hear their are no egos then we go and their are a few in the bunch but I haven't met one at all. To all the people saying judo is just a sport and.won't work in a real fight you are 100 percent wrong.. One good throw on the concrete and the fight is over... Look at all the mma fighters and the success rate they have using judo...also look at the best bjj grapplers they all go to judo schools and pay for lessons so they can better themselves at takedowns... Judo is awesome I'm officially addicted and you will be to. read more