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Gracie Jiu Jitsu La Mesa
4.6 ★★★★★ 34 Google reviews · BJJ gym in La Mesa, California
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
- No-gi no-gi grappling classes — training in a rashguard and shorts, with faster scrambles and a natural bridge to MMA
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule gracielamesajiujitsu.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 619-466-6055
Hours
| Monday | 5–6 am, 10–11 am, 5–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 5–6:30 am, 4–7:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 5–6 am, 10–11 am, 4–8 pm |
| Thursday | 5–6:30 am, 4–7:30 pm |
| Friday | 5–6 am, 10–11 am, 5–7:30 pm |
| Saturday | 9 am–12:30 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“Both my son and daughter have been doing their self-defense training at Gracie Jiu Jitsu La Mesa for about 6 months now.”
“The instructors are top notch, they compete at the highest levels and I have really enjoyed learning from them.”
“Both my son and daughter have been doing their self-defense training at Gracie Jiu Jitsu La Mesa for about 6 months now.”
“If you’re looking for a place to train, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced practitioner, Gracia La Mesa is the place to be.”
Other martial arts here
What members say
“Sure enough, I got whooped my first class (and still do) but it beats a day lifting weights or running like a hamster on a treadmill any day.”
“The training and instruction is fantastic and the folks that train here have become like my second family.”
“They take the time to break down techniques and offer personalized guidance, ensuring that everyone progresses at their own pace.”
“I started my son in classes to keep him active , add discipline and the ability to rough house in a safe environment.”
“Not only has he been a tremendous resource in class, but he even took an entire Saturday to coach me and my two 10-year-old girls, Tilly and Taylor, for our first competition.”
“I've had the pleasure of training at Gracie La Mesa for the past 8+ years, and I can confidently say that it's not just a gym – it's a second home.”
From the reviews
Gracie La Mesa was my home Jiu-Jitsu Academy for the last eight years! It was more than just s a n academy, it really felt like family. It saved my mental and physical health and kept me healthy. I earned up to a third stripe on my purple belt under professor Regis Lebre.
Been training here 5 years come June. Gracie La Mesa is a great gym for me because everyone here is a family and they make you feel welcome. The instructors are great and the students will help you with whatever you're having a hard time with.
I've had the pleasure of training at Gracie La Mesa for the past 8+ years, and I can confidently say that it's not just a gym – it's a second home. From the moment I stepped through the doors, I was greeted with warmth and a genuine sense of camaraderie that sets this place apart.
I’ve been attending the 5 am class at Gracie Humaita La Mesa and it’s been an incredible experience. It allows me to get the hardest part of my day done early, so I can focus on my family. The instructors are excellent, and I’ve learned so much in a short time.
New to BJJ? Start at Gracie Jiu Jitsu La Mesa
Gracie Jiu Jitsu La Mesa 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 Gracie Jiu Jitsu La Mesa
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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