HomeCaliforniaEl Monte › EL MONTE JIU-JITSU (CHECKMAT)

EL MONTE JIU-JITSU (CHECKMAT)

4.8 ★★★★★ 40 Google reviews · BJJ gym in El Monte, California

Part of Checkmat

BJJ gym Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons No-gi 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

  • 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 (ages 4–10) — 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
  • 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 elmontejiujitsu.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (562) 578-5596

Hours

Monday 4–8 PM
Tuesday 8–9 AM, 4–8 PM
Wednesday 4–8 PM
Thursday 8–9 AM, 4–8 PM
Friday 4–8 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 EL MONTE JIU-JITSU (CHECKMAT), confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 16 mentions

“The children’s program is very strong , often they place very high as a gym even though they have a fraction of the participants (rated by total points).”

All gyms that run kids bjj →

🏆 Competition Team 4 mentions

“Wheater you are looking to compete, hobby, lose weight or self-defense.”

All gyms that run competition team →

👤 Private Lessons 2 mentions

“not to mention their private classes which I have attended and their one on one teaching really does work.”

All gyms that run private lessons →

🔓 Open Mat

“Beautiful open mat for Save The Brave.”

All gyms that run open mat →

🛡️ Self-Defense 2 mentions

“I would recommend El Monte Jiujitsu for going long term, wether it be self-defence, competing and getting that beautiful medal, or just good excersise, this is the place to do it.”

All gyms that run self-defense →

Other martial arts here

BJJ gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at EL MONTE JIU-JITSU (CHECKMAT) — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🏟️ MMA

“(or at least everything you can handle) By the way if you're not into Jujitsu then these incredible people have a kick-boxing class and MMA class on Saturdays.”

Other gyms that also teach mma →

🦵 Kickboxing

“(or at least everything you can handle) By the way if you're not into Jujitsu then these incredible people have a kick-boxing class and MMA class on Saturdays.”

Other gyms that also teach kickboxing →

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 40 Google reviews — in their own words.

🌱 welcoming to beginners 5 mentions

“The owners are very welcoming and family-oriented place we’re grateful to be part of such a great team!”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 17 mentions

“It’s a family gym and if you join , you feel like there’s a community that cares about you our your child’s development.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 2 mentions

“I joyed the techniques being shared by the protector and brown belt coaches.”

🧒 strong kids program 2 mentions

“In the short time we have been here I’ve seen my sons confidences grown with understanding techniques and with in him self.”

active competition team 4 mentions

“Wheater you are looking to compete, hobby, lose weight or self-defense.”

🎖️ legit lineage & affiliation 2 mentions

“My kids have been training here at El Monte CHECKMAT for the past 5 years and they love it.”

From the reviews

Our 2 kids (4 and 6y/o) have been enrolled for over 6 months now. Both have shown significant growth and confidence. I cant recommend Jiu-Jitsu enough to other parents. Jose, Gabriel, Violet and Bella are a wealth of knowledge and support. Truly a family environment. We hope to be here for years to come.

★★★★★ — Fernando, Sep 2022

As a member/participant in this facility I can say for a fact that it is clean, well worked, and friendly! Sure we get worked pretty hard sometimes but its martial arts, were meant to be working hard. (maybe not 5 push-ups per every late person worked though) The staff are kind to newcomers and veterans alike!

★★★★★ — Nathan, Nov 2025

Love the training and the sparring and most of all LA FAMILIA. COME JOIN YOU WONT BE DISAPPOINTED...

★★★★★ — Omar, Nov 2022

Transferred from another checkmat. My son enjoyed the training here. He liked the multiple partners he had. I joyed the techniques being shared by the protector and brown belt coaches. As a gray black belt he was also given the opportunity to train with adults where he focused more. The adults class was welcoming.

★★★★★ — David, May 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 40 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at EL MONTE JIU-JITSU (CHECKMAT)

EL MONTE JIU-JITSU (CHECKMAT) 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 EL MONTE JIU-JITSU (CHECKMAT)

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 EL MONTE JIU-JITSU (CHECKMAT)

10904 Main St, El Monte, CA91731

Get directions Instagram · Facebook

More BJJ gyms near El Monte

Gracie Barra El Monte

4.7 ★★★★★ 14 reviews

11836 Valley Blvd, El Monte, CA

🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site

BJJ gym Free trial Kids & teens Affiliated expert, high-level coachinglegit lineage & affiliationclean, well-kept mats

1.1 miles away

Jiu Jitsu Team America

5 ★★★★★ 13 reviews

46 E Live Oak Ave, Arcadia, CA

🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site

BJJ gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens No-gi Competition team expert, high-level coachingwelcoming to beginnersno-ego, friendly academy

2.3 miles away

Gracie Barra Pasadena

5 ★★★★★ 38 reviews

8953 Duarte Rd, San Gabriel, CA

🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site

BJJ gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons No-gi Competition team Affiliated expert, high-level coachingwelcoming to beginnersno-ego, friendly academy

3.9 miles away

All BJJ gyms in El Monte, CA →

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.