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Absolute Grappling Academy

5 ★★★★★ 24 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Lake Forest, California

BJJ gym Free trial Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens No-gi

Affiliated academy — reviews and the gym's own info point to a recognized BJJ lineage or affiliation (think Gracie Barra, 10th Planet, Renzo Gracie, Alliance, Atos or Checkmat). If lineage matters to you, ask which affiliation the academy belongs to and under whom the head instructor earned their black belt.

Plan your first class

  • Free trial or intro class most gyms welcome new members with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
  • Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
  • Kids & youth classes kids and youth BJJ classes — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Women's classes dedicated women's BJJ classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
  • No-gi no-gi grappling classes — training in a rashguard and shorts, with faster scrambles and a natural bridge to MMA
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule absolutegrappling.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (949) 775-0766

Hours

Monday 10 AM–9 PM
Tuesday 10 AM–9 PM
Wednesday 10 AM–9 PM
Thursday 10 AM–9 PM
Friday 6–7:30 PM
Saturday 10:30 AM–1 PM
Sunday 12–1:30 PM

Hours shift for holidays, seminars, and open-gym times — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

BJJ classes on the schedule at Absolute Grappling Academy, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 16 mentions

“FYI, we drive all the way from Anaheim Hills because here we found positive energy and attention to every kid’s needs that we couldn’t find in other places.”

All gyms that run kids bjj →

Other martial arts here

BJJ gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at Absolute Grappling Academy — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🏟️ MMA

“Great place to have my kid to practice MMA and exercise.”

Other gyms that also teach mma →

🥊 Boxing

“My boys love their Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and boxing classes and are looking forward to give the rest of the classes a try.”

Other gyms that also teach boxing →

🤸 Wrestling 4 mentions

“Wrestling coach ferdaws and mohammad are responsible and full of experience,my kids got big differences after he attended this GYM.”

Other gyms that also teach wrestling →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the gym's own info — they show what members have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want MMA, muay thai, or wrestling alongside your BJJ, confirm the current schedule with the gym.

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 24 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 5 mentions

“If you want to learn how to grapple or do jiu jitsu, this place has great instructors that are very hands-on and patient with the students.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 3 mentions

“The atmosphere is welcoming and supportive, and you can feel the sense of community as soon as you walk in.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 9 mentions

“The instructors not only taught valuable skills but also fostered a sense of community that made us feel like family.”

🧠 builds confidence & discipline 6 mentions

“My kids have not only improved their jiu-jitsu but also gained so much confidence and discipline since starting here.”

From the reviews

Highly recommend. As a parent I love seeing my daughter and son train. The environment created is welcoming and pleasant. All the kids work hard and the professors do such a great job of retaining their attention... which all parents know how difficult this can be at times.

★★★★★ — Miguel, Dec 2024

Absolute BJJ is amazing! Coaches Jawad, Ferdaws, and Hassan are fantastic with kids. They’re patient, encouraging, and really know how to make learning fun. My kids have not only improved their jiu-jitsu but also gained so much confidence and discipline since starting here.

★★★★★ — Faisal, Dec 2024

Excellent academy. I train at the sister academy in Irvine but will be coming here a few days a week. Space looks great, mats are on point, and the professors are world renowned.

★★★★★ — Sean, Dec 2024

Thank you Absolute Grappling Academy for the drop in session! This location is perfect if you are staying at the Springhill Suites across the street for a work trip.

★★★★★ — Sean, May 2026

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 24 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Absolute Grappling Academy

Absolute Grappling Academy comes up as a beginner-friendly gym — noted on their own site. If you've never rolled or set foot on a mat, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or flexible to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and coaches scale the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard rolling — reputable gyms build fundamentals (positions, escapes, and basic submissions) for weeks, live rolling eases in gradually, and tapping early keeps every roll safe. Third, all levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or fundamentals class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out, and leave your ego at the door. Most gyms are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first BJJ class at Absolute Grappling Academy

Nervous about walking into a BJJ gym for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good coaches expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling basic positions and escapes with a partner — not hard sparring. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: athletic wear you can move in (or a gi if you have one); you'll train barefoot on the mats. What to bring: water and a mouthguard if you have one — many gyms lend a loaner gi for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gi (or a rashguard and shorts for no-gi) and a mouthguard. Live rolling eases in gradually, once your fundamentals are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the coach. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.

BJJ is a contact sport. Ease in, tap early and often, listen to your coaches, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find Absolute Grappling Academy

22661 Lambert St Ste 207, Lake Forest, CA92630

Get directions Instagram

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this gym? Claim your listing — it's free.