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Carlson Gracie Team San Diego
5 ★★★★★ 23 Google reviews · BJJ gym in La Mesa, 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
- 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
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule tinyurl.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 209-266-9603
Hours
| Monday | 6–7:30 am, 4–8:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 6–7:30 am, 4–7:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 6–7:30 am, 4–7:30 pm |
| Thursday | 6–7:30 am, 4–7:30 pm |
| Friday | 6–7:30 am, 4–6 pm |
| Saturday | 11 am–12 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“His emphasis on building strong fundamentals and simple yet effective techniques are equipping me with a strong foundation that I know will serve me for a lifetime.”
“Carlson Gracie Team San Diego (Fundamentals Fight Club) provides jiu jitsu classes for kids and adults, wrestling classes, and physical conditioning classes.”
“As a brand new white belt, and as a woman, it can be intimidating finding the right fit.”
“I highly recommend checking out this academy for anyone in the area whether you’re looking for self defense training or even competition level instruction Rafael is the man!”
“As a brand new white belt, and as a woman, it can be intimidating finding the right fit.”
Other martial arts here
“Carlson Gracie Team San Diego (Fundamentals Fight Club) provides jiu jitsu classes for kids and adults, wrestling classes, and physical conditioning classes.”
What members say
“Professor Rafa is one of the best jiu jitsu practitioners around, but an even better instructor.”
“My first class with Professor Rafael and Patrick was warmups, technique and rolling - it felt just like old times, like I hadn't missed a day.”
“Real deal, clean technique, safe/humble environment, and you will acquire rock solid BJJ from a battle tested professor.”
“His emphasis on building strong fundamentals and simple yet effective techniques are equipping me with a strong foundation that I know will serve me for a lifetime.”
“I highly recommend checking out this academy for anyone in the area whether you’re looking for self defense training or even competition level instruction Rafael is the man!”
“Carlson Gracie Team San Diego (Fundamentals Fight Club) provides jiu jitsu classes for kids and adults, wrestling classes, and physical conditioning classes.”
From the reviews
I started working under Professor Rafael and his assistant coach Patrick after being at the school I was at for 6 months. I'm 67 years old and was struggling to keep up with everyone. Professor Rafael notices his students while he is teaching and weaves in things that help them as he teaches.
Professor Rafa is one of a kind. He is very systematic in his teachings, he is technical yet does not over load you with information. He has so much knowledge that he has a complete grasp of advance techniques yet does not compromise foundation. Having said these.
I am a purple belt under Professor Rafael Davis, Carlson Gracie BJJ. Coach Rafael is my professor, is very techniqual but breaks down technique in a simple, step by step process. Coach Rafa, being a super heavy weight champion, is not only my professor but also competes so he's in the game.
As a mother I am extremely grateful for professor Rafael. He showed my daughter values such as loyalty,honesty integrity,and discipline He works really well with everyone and makes sure the kids understand what they are being taught and that they use what they are learning for good.
New to BJJ? Start at Carlson Gracie Team San Diego
Carlson Gracie Team San Diego 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 Carlson Gracie Team San Diego
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.
More BJJ gyms near La Mesa
Gracie Jiu Jitsu La Mesa Mat 2
MAG Jiu Jitsu & Self Defense
Silva Jiu Jitsu Academy
4.9 ★★★★★ 42 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site