Home › California › Bakersfield › IV | Four Pillars Jiu Jitsu
IV | Four Pillars Jiu Jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 21 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Bakersfield, 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
- 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 ·
- Phone (661) 474-7244
Hours
| Monday | 5:30–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 6:30–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 5:30–9 PM |
| Thursday | 6:30–9 PM |
| Friday | 5:30–9 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM–1 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“He takes his time with kids and encourages them to give their best effort everyday.”
“Tim our coach is patient, knowledgeable, and does a great job breaking things down so beginners don’t feel overwhelmed.”
What members say
“Tim our coach is patient, knowledgeable, and does a great job breaking things down so beginners don’t feel overwhelmed.”
“Tim our coach is patient, knowledgeable, and does a great job breaking things down so beginners don’t feel overwhelmed.”
“Dropped in as a visitor from out of state (Gracie Barra Arizona) and Professor Tim and his team were very welcoming.”
“Tim, the instructor, does a tremendous job breaking down each technique and explaining the daily lessons in a way that’s easy to understand and apply.”
“I really enjoyed the way class was structured but what really stood out to me was the cleanliness and fresh smell of the facility.”
From the reviews
I love it here! The gym itself is clean and stylishly simple. You know the mats, chairs, and floors are cleaned daily, because you see it being done. Such a chill and welcoming vibe for both men and women of all ages and skill sets.
Coach Tim is an excellent instructor, and the gym has a welcoming atmosphere. As a beginner, I was nervous starting out, but the coaching style made it easy to learn. Techniques are clearly explained before rolling, and new students are eased into training at a comfortable pace.
Four Pillars, it’s the place train, no doubt!! The facility is always clean and welcoming, creating an awesome environment to grow and improve. Tim, the instructor, does a tremendous job breaking down each technique and explaining the daily lessons in a way that’s easy to understand and apply.
I just started training here and I’m already loving it. I’m only a couple weeks in, still sore, still forgetting moves — but having a lot of fun. Tim our coach is patient, knowledgeable, and does a great job breaking things down so beginners don’t feel overwhelmed.
New to BJJ? Start at IV | Four Pillars Jiu Jitsu
IV | Four Pillars Jiu Jitsu comes up as a beginner-friendly gym, going by their listing and members’ reviews. 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 IV | Four Pillars 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.
More BJJ gyms near Bakersfield
Eric Nolan's Xtreme Training Center
4.4 ★★★★☆ 70 reviews
Defcon Jiu Jitsu
4.7 ★★★★★ 21 reviews
Bakersfield Brazilian Jiu
4.8 ★★★★★ 31 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site