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Checkmat Valencia Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 230 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Santa Clarita, California
Part of Checkmat
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
- No-gi no-gi grappling classes — training in a rashguard and shorts, with faster scrambles and a natural bridge to MMA
- Open mat open-mat rolling sessions for members to practice live — always optional and at your own pace
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule checkmatvalencia.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 310-793-6667
Hours
| Monday | 9:30–11 am, 4:45–7:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 6–7 am, 4–7:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 9:30–11 am, 4:45–7 pm |
| Thursday | 6–7 am, 4–7:30 pm |
| Friday | 9:30–11 am, 4:45–6 pm |
| Saturday | 9:30–11 am |
| Sunday | 9:30–10:30 am |
The classes they run
“Ever since I attended my free trial/class, Professor Leika and Art have been very helpful in teaching us the fundamentals of BJJ.”
“I’ve been training at Checkmat Valencia for 5 years now and my kids ages 4 and 5 both are being training there for almost a year now.”
“He’s especially amazing with kids and teens and brings such great energy to every class (plus the playlists are fantastic!”
“Art are very professional, extremely knowledgeable and approachable The schedule is great they are open 7 days a week and I am able to do Gi and No Gi classes very often.”
“Art are very professional, extremely knowledgeable and approachable The schedule is great they are open 7 days a week and I am able to do Gi and No Gi classes very often.”
“Myself and some cousins went for an open mat (which upon getting there we realized was not open to the general public, they were kind enough to make an exception for us though).”
“Jujitsu is a great way to stay in shape, learn self defense, and build confidence.”
“Professor Leka and Professor Art are competent, highly skilled and knowledgeable in teaching the art to both beginners and advanced levels.”
What members say
“Professor Leka and Professor Art are competent, highly skilled and knowledgeable in teaching the art to both beginners and advanced levels.”
“I was specifically looking for a female friendly environment especially since BJJ can sometimes have a reputation for toxic gym culture.”
“As a complete beginner, I really appreciated how supportive and helpful he was while I was learning techniques I had never done before.”
“Jujitsu is a great way to stay in shape, learn self defense, and build confidence.”
“I noticed a behavior change in my kids. They feel more confident and behave much better since they start training.”
“Professor Leka and Professor Art are competent, highly skilled and knowledgeable in teaching the art to both beginners and advanced levels.”
From the reviews
I started training at Checkmat Valencia in November 2016. I am currently a Blue Belt under Professor Leka Vieira. I am also a competitor. Professor Leka Vieira is the most knowledgable BJJ practitioner I have ever met. There is always something new to learn from her. She is a legend in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
I started training at Checkmat Brazilian Jiu Jitsu around the holidays last year, and to be honest, I was pretty nervous at first. I didn’t know what to expect or how to carry myself, especially in a sport that involves such close contact.
I’ve been training at Checkmat Valencia for 5 years now and my kids ages 4 and 5 both are being training there for almost a year now. Prof Leka and Prof Art are amazing teachers and they have a very talented staff as well. The Kids classes offer a fantastic environment for children to learn valuable life skills.
We have had such an amazing experience with Checkmat. What started as just an extra curricular activity for my daughter turned into something she is passionate about. Professors Art and Leka are incredible at providing a family style atmosphere.
New to BJJ? Start at Checkmat Valencia Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Checkmat Valencia Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu 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 Checkmat Valencia Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
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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🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site