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Carlson Gracie South Bay / Alemao Training Center
5 ★★★★★ 40 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Torrance, California
Part of Carlson Gracie
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
- 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
- Open mat open-mat rolling sessions for members to practice live — always optional and at your own pace
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule carlsongraciesouthbay.com — book classes and see the live schedule
Hours
| Monday | 9 am–12 pm, 4:15–9:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 9 am–12 pm, 5:30–9:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 9 am–12 pm, 4:15–9:30 pm |
| Thursday | 9 am–12 pm, 5:30–9:30 pm |
| Friday | 9 am–12 pm, 4:15–9:30 pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“Smaller mat space but there is open mat after each class for those who still want to spar/train.”
“Very friendly, patient, and helpful with the beginners and experienced alike.”
Other martial arts here
“My cousin was paired up with a girl who's ranked #1 in MMA in Kentucky so I was stoked for her too!”
What members say
“Knowledgeable coach, clean gym, showers available, 10 am and also 6pm classes daily.”
“I tried two other academies in the South Bay and Carlson has a great feeling with a lot of other friendly students willing to help.”
“Top notch technique, great atmosphere, really great people.”
“All around great facility and if I'm ever in the Cincinnati area again I'm for sure stopping by.”
From the reviews
I started going to this academy and I have been having a great experience. I highly recommend this place. Everyone regardless of their status (color of their belt) is very helpful and enthusiastically offers their insight, help and willing to “roll” with you. The professor (Andre) is a fantastic instructor.
Best place for kids and adults. Andre have teaching my son which coming from a bad experiencie from previous jiu jitsu academy when he was younger and afraid to even walk by a jiu jitsu academy again.
Class structured as follows: light warm up, instruction and practice of a weekly position/techinque, live training/rolling. Very friendly training with partners helping each other learn and not concerned with who tapped who.
This is one of the best bjj places I’ve trained at. I know they say jiu jitsu is for “everyone” but this place really encapsulates that. Wether you’re trying to get fit, learn to defend yourself, or take it seriously for competition, Andre, the head coach, will look out for you.
New to BJJ? Start at Carlson Gracie South Bay / Alemao Training Center
Carlson Gracie South Bay / Alemao Training Center comes up as a beginner-friendly gym, going by their listing and members’ reviews. 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 Carlson Gracie South Bay / Alemao Training Center
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. 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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