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Claudio Franca Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
4.9 ★★★★★ 14 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Santa Cruz, 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
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule claudiofrancabjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (831) 476-7650
Hours
| Monday | 4–7:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 3–7:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 4–7:30 PM |
| Thursday | 3–7:30 PM |
| Friday | 4–7:30 PM |
| Saturday | 9–11:30 AM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“My husband and children started their journeys here over a year ago and this place has done nothing but good things for our family.”
“The kids classes are always fun with plenty of younger kids and pre teens.”
Other martial arts here
“I came to Claudio's with a background mainly in Muay Thai and some MMA training, but with a desperate need for improvement of my ground game.”
“I came to Claudio's with a background mainly in Muay Thai and some MMA training, but with a desperate need for improvement of my ground game.”
What members say
“Good vibes, great instruction and solid crew.”
“My husband and children started their journeys here over a year ago and this place has done nothing but good things for our family.”
From the reviews
My husband and children started their journeys here over a year ago and this place has done nothing but good things for our family. Very glad we listened to recommendations to give Claudio Franca BJJ a try.
I came to Claudio's with a background mainly in Muay Thai and some MMA training, but with a desperate need for improvement of my ground game. I have now been there for a few years and can say it's one of the best gyms I have belonged to.
Professor thomas is a great instructor and person in general very very kind man and also cannot forget nathan cool dude with a very talkble person will gladly help you out any way he can to improve your technique
Best BJJ dojo ever! Family owned and operated truly a high level athletic experience. Claudio and Kim invited me to bring my yoga practice into the dojo to help the athletes.
New to BJJ? Start at Claudio Franca Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Claudio Franca Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 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 Claudio Franca 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