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Blue Collar Grappling - Jiu-Jitsu/Wrestling Academy
5 ★★★★★ 60 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Long Beach, California
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
- Private lessons private, one-on-one coaching available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
- No-gi no-gi grappling classes — training in a rashguard and shorts, with faster scrambles and a natural bridge to MMA
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule bcgbjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (562) 230-5121
Hours
| Monday | 6–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 6–8:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 6–8 PM |
| Thursday | 9 AM–5 PM, 6–8:30 PM |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 11 AM–1:30 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“After months of searching for a Jiujitsu Academy, that woould be a good fit for both me and my daughter, I was recommended to check out Blue Collar and I am thankful for it.”
“I started as a white belt with high school wrestling skills, Coach JT was able to take what I was good at, add on to the skills and make sure I was well rounded.”
“He was also a wrestler and sambo practitioner and knows a lot of proven take downs for no gi and gi.”
“I had the opportunity to compete in July and placed 2nd, something I never thought I’d achieve so quickly and it’s all thanks to the guidance and encouragement from Coach JT.”
“We also did a few private lessons, and those were just as great — very accommodating with scheduling and always attentive to Mateo’s needs and pace.”
“He was an undefeated professional BJJ competitor and has many tried and true methods that come from his real world application of the sport.”
“Coach JT makes sure to go out of his way to pay extra attention to beginners while letting his seasoned students get in good work to progress.”
Other martial arts here
“John Thomas has over two decades of experience in wrestling, jiujitsu, boxing, wrestling, sambo and so much more.”
“I started as a white belt with high school wrestling skills, Coach JT was able to take what I was good at, add on to the skills and make sure I was well rounded.”
What members say
“Coach JT is one of them, he is a fantastic instructor who is very knowledgeable and attentive.”
“Coach JT makes sure to go out of his way to pay extra attention to beginners while letting his seasoned students get in good work to progress.”
“The coaches are absolutely amazing, with their helpfulness and dedication to always support students it’s a welcoming environment.”
“The smaller classes allow for more direct and detailed instructions allowing you to grow faster then larger overcrowded academies which is definitely something I needed.”
“I had the opportunity to compete in July and placed 2nd, something I never thought I’d achieve so quickly and it’s all thanks to the guidance and encouragement from Coach JT.”
“White to black belt, Coach John Thomas (JT) will guide you and add to your grappling style and ensure you the confidence to get better.”
From the reviews
Coach John Thomas is detailed and caring instructor who can elevate anyone’s grappling levels. White to black belt, Coach John Thomas (JT) will guide you and add to your grappling style and ensure you the confidence to get better. Highly recommended for all levels of grappling.
Coach JT is one of the best professors I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. He was an undefeated professional BJJ competitor and has many tried and true methods that come from his real world application of the sport. He was also a wrestler and sambo practitioner and knows a lot of proven take downs for no gi and gi.
I have had my son attending for about 2 months now and I have to say, it has been nothing but beneficial for my 10 year old son Emiliano. He has come to show so much more confidence . Professor John Thomas is a great teacher.
John Thomas has over two decades of experience in wrestling, jiujitsu, boxing, wrestling, sambo and so much more. He has the knowledge, patience, and experience to achieve your goals in fitness, martial arts and overall life.
New to BJJ? Start at Blue Collar Grappling - Jiu-Jitsu/Wrestling Academy
Blue Collar Grappling - Jiu-Jitsu/Wrestling 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.
Your first BJJ class at Blue Collar Grappling - Jiu-Jitsu/Wrestling 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.
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