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.

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.

Professors John, Ben and all the other coaches make this an awesome place to train. The gym is…read moreclean and you get top notch instruction for both jiu jitsu and MMA. There's also a killer open mat on weekends. Now go train!

Professor John and Don run a great gym that caters to all levels. My son attended Groundwork and I…read morenever felt as if he was in danger or unsupervised. In fact, this gym has way more coaches on the mats than most other locations because they encourage adult BJJ practitioners to monitor the children, regardless of the adult's belt level. BJJ is obviously a contact sport and things can happen; but that is the case at 100% of the gyms out there. There is a humility and respect for the sport that permeates from the professors and coaches: just watch the end of each class (adult or children) and you'll see the vibe I'm referring to. I highly recommend Groundwork and, yes, I am a student myself.

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.

Sensei Paulo consistently goes above and beyond for his students. His attention to detail and deep…read morededication to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is evident in every class he teaches. Guillobel BJJ not only maintains a welcoming and respectful atmosphere, but also produces high-level practitioners--a true reflection of the schools leadership and passion for the art.

5 star facility and 5 Star coaches. Sensei Anvareyan and Sensei Guillobel are amazing to work with.read more

I started my 5 yo who's slow to warm up to things and 7 yo who has a hard time focusing just a few…read moremonths ago. They are both excited to train, and it's been the best experience! I expected my 5 yo to go on and off the mat through the class but she stays and participates the whole time! And my 7 yo is loving it and working so hard that he leaves the mat drenched. Teachers and professors are strict yet kind and keeps them in check. Been awesome for us and we hope to continue for years to come.

If you're looking for authentic Brazilian Jiu Jitsu this place has it. They have 2 Brazilin born…read morechampion Black Belts that originally came here as athletes and they're no joke when it comes to what they know and how they teach. They also have several other high ranking coaches that really know what they're doing. We've been at Checkmat V1sion in Ladera since day 1, but my daughter has been training with Coach Annie and Coach Joao for almost 2 years. They've taken her from wearing a "loaner" Gi to competing in 14 competitions and winning 13 medals last year. I can tell you from my almost daily interactions that all the coaches are extremely dedicated to each and every student and supporting their BJJ journey no matter where that takes them. In my case, I've seen my young daughter grow dramatically in her self-confidence under the guidance of Coach Annie and Joao and both of them took their own personal time to attend every competition she had last year. Not only supporting my daughter but the entire team. The facility is spotless and right in the center of town. They have a ton of classes 6 days a week so it's super easy to find a time that works for me and my daughter. Something that makes this Jiu Jitsu Academy different than some others is its competition program. The primary coaches not only teach/train regular BJJ classes they also train champion competitors. My daughter's entire group of about 30 kids in her specific age group competes regularly. But, the biggest thing I love about this gym and the BJJ community, in general, is that it's more like family than anything else. Everyone is really engaged and supportive, especially the parents of all the kids. I myself started training recently and if you're considering any type of martial arts program I'll tell you there's nothing quite like Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and this gym checks all the boxes for me. Like most BJJ gyms you can come in anytime for some free trial classes and get on the mat to see what it's all about. That's how I started.

Master Goes is an excellent teacher, because he ensures that everyone in class understands the…read moreproper technique rather than rushing through drills. He has a handful of blackbelt students who attend class to assist in technique training which I love. I appreciate the opportunity to learn from Master Goes as well as his black belt students because everyone has a unique individual style. I started class three weeks ago and I'm blown away at how far I"m coming along already. One of my many favorite things about class, is that Master Goes teaches us the lifestyle of Jiu Jitsu practice beyond the mat as well as on the mat. Master Goes ensures we understand the philosophy behind the sport so that we know the history of the art we are practicing. As a female I starting to feel more confident in my ability to defend myself on the street should I encounter a situation where self defense makes a difference in life or death. I love Jiu Jitsu so much that I cancelled my gym membership at LA Fitness. I would much rather be able to defend myself than look fit and toned and not know how to save my own life. The gym is kept very organized and clean and the location is easy to get to. Plenty of parking and it's in a safe neighborhood. Master offers an entire free week of classes, if you have any hesitation stop by for a few free sessions and see for yourself.

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.

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!

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