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Garth Taylor Jiu-Jitsu and Martial Arts
4.9 ★★★★★ 47 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 (ages 4–13) — 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 garthtaylorjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (831) 621-2339
Hours
| Monday | 6–7:30 AM, 11:45 AM–2 PM |
| Tuesday | 11:45 AM–2 PM, 3:45–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 6–7:30 AM, 11:45 AM–2 PM, 3:15–8 PM |
| Thursday | 11:45 AM–2 PM, 3:45–8 PM |
| Friday | 6–7:30 AM, 11:45 AM–2 PM, 3:15–8 PM |
| Saturday | 9:45 AM–2 PM |
| Sunday | 11:45 AM–2 PM |
The classes they run
“Mostly a Jiu Jitsu studio but boxing and kickboxing offered as well, the boxing classes are a lot of fun, great workout and teaches fundamentals with sparring at the end of class.”
“The are firm with the kids, teach them how to work hard, be respectful, responsible, and take care of others by building awareness.”
“Garth Taylor is an excellent teacher and an accomplished competitor, who has built a strong martial arts community in Santa Cruz county.”
“I really like that they have excellent instruction for all levels of Jiu Jitsu and tons of classes offered through out the week.”
Other martial arts here
“Mostly a Jiu Jitsu studio but boxing and kickboxing offered as well, the boxing classes are a lot of fun, great workout and teaches fundamentals with sparring at the end of class.”
“Mostly a Jiu Jitsu studio but boxing and kickboxing offered as well, the boxing classes are a lot of fun, great workout and teaches fundamentals with sparring at the end of class.”
What members say
“Garth Taylor is a kind, knowledgeable and professional instructor. He creates the best gym culture I can’t imagine training somewhere else.”
“I really like that they have excellent instruction for all levels of Jiu Jitsu and tons of classes offered through out the week.”
“Everyone was friendly, the atmosphere was great, and several students (Kyle, and I think Kalen) took time during open sparring to work with me on some fundamentals.”
“Mostly a Jiu Jitsu studio but boxing and kickboxing offered as well, the boxing classes are a lot of fun, great workout and teaches fundamentals with sparring at the end of class.”
“The studio is very clean and has great ventilation, but most importantly the instructors are world class.”
“Jiujitsu is a wonderful way for kids to build confidence, discipline, and learn important skills.”
From the reviews
The owner, Garth Taylor, is a genuinely great guy. He honestly cares about helping people and the world can definitely use a lot more people like him in it. Garth, the teachers and even the students all feel like a family and just are all about helping each other out.
My partner has been training here for a while, and I understand now why she loves it so much! I took my first jiu-jitsu class here with Chris Lang and had an absolute blast. We did some warm-up exercises and then practiced double-leg takedowns, which were something I've had done to me, but never learned to do myself.
We are so grateful to have found Garth Taylor. Our boys, 4 and 6, attend the mini-groms and groms classes, respectively. The studio is very clean and has great ventilation, but most importantly the instructors are world class.
Garth Taylor is an excellent teacher and an accomplished competitor, who has built a strong martial arts community in Santa Cruz county. I highly recommend training with him whether you're looking for a gym to try or just visiting the area. People are friendly, helpful and supportive.
New to BJJ? Start at Garth Taylor Jiu-Jitsu and Martial Arts
Garth Taylor Jiu-Jitsu and Martial Arts 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 Garth Taylor Jiu-Jitsu and Martial Arts
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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