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Jiu Jitsu Foundation
4.9 ★★★★★ 87 Google reviews · BJJ gym in La Mesa, 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 — 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 jiujitsufoundation.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 619-741-3000
Hours
| Monday | 9–11 am, 2–9 pm |
| Tuesday | 2–9 pm |
| Wednesday | 9–11 am, 2–9 pm |
| Thursday | 2–9 pm |
| Friday | 9–11 am |
| Saturday | 8 am–1 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“I’m 42 years old, still active duty 21 years in the military, and I can honestly say joining the Jiu Jitsu Foundation has been one of the best decisions I’ve made for myself.”
“The environment is welcoming, family-friendly, and perfect for all levels—from kids just starting out to experienced adults.”
“Since we began, they've expanded the training opportunities for students by adding No-gi classes and a women's only class.”
“Since we began, they've expanded the training opportunities for students by adding No-gi classes and a women's only class.”
“Since we began, they've expanded the training opportunities for students by adding No-gi classes and a women's only class.”
“To support competitors, they've offered competition classes when students are preparing to compete.”
“They also try and help there students become better people that will stay with them for the rest of there lives, the self defense almost feels like a bonus.”
“The community here is incredibly welcoming, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned practitioner, you’ll feel like part of the family.”
What members say
“The community here is incredibly welcoming, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned practitioner, you’ll feel like part of the family.”
“If you're looking for a family friendly, clean, safe, and fun place to train, Jiu Jitsu Foundation is definitely the place for you and your kids!”
“They don’t just teach techniques they break things down in detail and make sure you understand the “why” behind it.”
“Best decision I ever made for my child's self confidence and personal development was enrolling him here.”
“To support competitors, they've offered competition classes when students are preparing to compete.”
“If you're looking for a family friendly, clean, safe, and fun place to train, Jiu Jitsu Foundation is definitely the place for you and your kids!”
From the reviews
Jiu Jitsu Foundation La Mesa is an amazing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu school and truly one of the best in the East County area! The environment is welcoming, family-friendly, and perfect for all levels—from kids just starting out to experienced adults.
I love this place. My son has been training here for 3 years and I've been. Training here for 3 months. The owners are super nice and I've never sparred against someone that I believe was trying to cause me harm. It's over all a great experience and wouldn't want to train anywhere else. Update: Still feel the same.
I have been training in this place for about 9 years, and I can say without a doubt is the best jiu jitsu studio in town! I absolutely love Master Kadu and Master Gabby, and they have been training me to perfection for years. I can assure you, that this is the perfect place to start or continue your training.
JJF has been the greatest investment I have made, by enrolling my son 6 years ago. I am able to see how much my son has developed physically and mentally. His work ethics on the mat has carried on In school and at home. JJF doesn’t just develop Brazilian Jiu Jitsu athletes, they also help develop great kids.
New to BJJ? Start at Jiu Jitsu Foundation
Jiu Jitsu Foundation 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 Jiu Jitsu Foundation
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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🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site