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Kaiju MMA & Fitness

4.8 ★★★★★ 76 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Tarzana, California

BJJ gym Free trial Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens 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

  • 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
  • Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule kaiju-mma.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (818) 231-1119

Hours

Monday 6 AM–9 PM
Tuesday 4:30–8:30 PM
Wednesday 6 AM–9 PM
Thursday 4:30–8:30 PM
Friday 6 AM–8:30 PM
Saturday 6 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 Kaiju MMA & Fitness, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 6 mentions

“They are patient and excellent at working with kids at all levels and abilities, physical and mental.”

All gyms that run kids bjj →

🏆 Competition Team

“Great for all levels - kids, amateurs, and competitors.”

All gyms that run competition team →

🛡️ Self-Defense

“I’m glad I have found Kaiju MMA in my search for a self-defense & BJJ gym.”

All gyms that run self-defense →

🌱 Beginners 4 mentions

“They are patient and excellent at working with kids at all levels and abilities, physical and mental.”

All gyms that run beginners →

Other martial arts here

BJJ gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at Kaiju MMA & Fitness — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🥊 Muay Thai

“I have tried some Muay Thai, MMA, and BJJ classes here.”

Other gyms that also teach muay thai →

🏟️ MMA 14 mentions

“When I first stepped into Kaiju I was nervous because I had no prior experience in an MMA gym before and a couple other spots I visited felt a little intimidating and cold.”

Other gyms that also teach mma →

🦵 Kickboxing 5 mentions

“This was the best choice I made when my kids got bored with their previous jiujitsu place and wanted to try sparring and kickboxing.”

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 76 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 5 mentions

“I would highly recommend this place if you’re looking for good training, great coaching, and a friendly family vibe.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 9 mentions

“Here, I immediately felt welcomed like family by the professor teaching jiu jitsu class and was invited to try a class.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 18 mentions

“The coaches are excellent and really care about working with you to progress in the sport while making it feel like you are part of a family.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 2 mentions

“You can ask Gabe a question(s) about a particular technique and he will politely respond with an answer, and later thank you for it.”

great workout & conditioning 2 mentions

“My improved conditioning allows me to sustain rolling and sparring without feeling too much fatigue, and I'm leaner and stronger now.”

active competition team 2 mentions

“While competing is not the main focus of the gym, I have competed several times and received amazing support from all of the Professors, coaches, and students.”

From the reviews

Premier MMA gym In the SFV. Professor Gabe does an excellent job passing down his extensive knowledge of BJJ and MMA to his students. Great coaches as well. One of the best decisions I ever made was joining Kaiju !

★★★★★ — Jonathan, Jan 2024

I have been training at Kaiju for roughly 2 years now under Professor Gabe, Professor Brian, and Professor Adrian, as well as under Coach DC for striking. I have to say that the curriculum in the gym is absolutely top notch, and one excellent benefit of multiple black belts is that there is a great variety of styles…

★★★★★ — Bryce, Jan 2021

As the second oldest student at the gym, my days are limited and training at a supportive and family oriented gym is important. Professor Gabe always goes the extra mile to train all his students (including old ass folks) with unlimited enthusiasm, superb skill, and extreme patience.

★★★★★ — Glenn, Sep 2025

Professor Gabe Ruediger from Kaiju MMA & Fitness in Tarzana, Ca. put on an EXCEPTIONAL Jiu Jitsu Seminar at T7JJ with Professor Brian Hummel for our 2 year anniversary event. Thank You Both! If in the Tarzana area I highly recommend visiting Kaiju MMA & Fitness, Professor Gabe and his Team!

★★★★★ — Matthew, Sep 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 76 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Kaiju MMA & Fitness

Kaiju MMA & Fitness 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.

See their beginner class info

Your first BJJ class at Kaiju MMA & Fitness

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 Kaiju MMA & Fitness

18356 Oxnard St Ste 100, Tarzana, CA91356

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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.