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Connect Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

5 ★★★★★ 38 Google reviews · BJJ gym in South Gate, California

BJJ gym Free trial Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons Competition team

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
  • Women's classes dedicated women's BJJ classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
  • 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
  • Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule connectbjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (562) 526-0929

Hours

Monday 9 AM–8:30 PM
Tuesday 9 AM–8:30 PM
Wednesday 9 AM–8:30 PM
Thursday 9 AM–8:30 PM
Friday 9 AM–7:30 PM
Saturday 10 AM–1 PM
Sunday Closed

Hours shift for holidays, seminars, and open-gym times — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

BJJ classes on the schedule at Connect Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

📘 Fundamentals 2 mentions

“From some of the hardest chokes to just the basics They break down every move in a way that’s easy to understand, and everyone here has the patience to help learn new skills.”

All gyms that run fundamentals →

🧒 Kids BJJ 7 mentions

“Connect is a great place to bring your kids to learn Jiu Jitsu they have great coaches and are super patient with new students.”

All gyms that run kids bjj →

🏆 Competition Team 2 mentions

“Great school if you want to compete, start something new in your life or get more fit than you have ever been.”

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🛡️ Self-Defense 3 mentions

“This place is amazing, Becker and his team makes you feel welcome every time you walk into the gym, Highly recommend if you want to learn good jiujitsu and self defense.”

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🌱 Beginners 5 mentions

“From the moment you walk in to your first time a stepping on the mat, you’re surrounded by a welcoming and friendly energy, and people who genuinely want to help you learn.”

All gyms that run beginners →

Other martial arts here

BJJ gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at Connect Brazilian Jiu Jitsu — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the gym's own info — they show what members have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want MMA, muay thai, or wrestling alongside your BJJ, confirm the current schedule with the gym.

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 38 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 4 mentions

“Only train here for a short time, and professor Becker is great at teaching you from the fundamental basics to advancing you bjj game.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 7 mentions

“From the moment you walk in to your first time a stepping on the mat, you’re surrounded by a welcoming and friendly energy, and people who genuinely want to help you learn.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 14 mentions

“From the moment you walk in to your first time a stepping on the mat, you’re surrounded by a welcoming and friendly energy, and people who genuinely want to help you learn.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 4 mentions

“From some of the hardest chokes to just the basics They break down every move in a way that’s easy to understand, and everyone here has the patience to help learn new skills.”

active competition team 2 mentions

“Great school if you want to compete, start something new in your life or get more fit than you have ever been.”

🎖️ legit lineage & affiliation 4 mentions

“Wanted to take a moment to give Checkmat Connect a big thank you for making my experience with them a great one.”

From the reviews

Only train here for a short time, and professor Becker is great at teaching you from the fundamental basics to advancing you bjj game. Overall, great gym, great students, and great coach.

★★★★★ — Jesse, Jun 2019

Only been visiting the academy. Professor Gustavo Carpio's technical level is impressive, and so is the amazingly beautiful dojo. Friendly students and good atmosphere, quite impressive.

★★★★★ — Letsfightinglove00, Jun 2018

“I’ve been training at CheckMat LA for 8 years on and of and it has been a truly transformative experience. The school has a welcoming and supportive atmosphere that makes you feel like part of a family from day one.

★★★★★ — Juan, Aug 2025

You've tried the rest now come try the best! Hands down the best training environment in the area. The professor teaches all levels in a very professional and humble way. His classes are focused on technique and improvement each and every day. I have gotten so much better after training here for just three months!

★★★★★ — Jennifer, Nov 2014

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 38 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Connect Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Connect 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.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first BJJ class at Connect 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.

BJJ is a contact sport. Ease in, tap early and often, listen to your coaches, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find Connect Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

13228 Paramount Blvd, South Gate, CA90280

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this gym? Claim your listing — it's free.