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Like Water Jiu Jitsu

5 ★★★★★ 162 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Los Angeles, California

BJJ gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Competition team

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 trial.likewaterjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 323-498-0183

Hours

Monday 11:30 am–9 pm
Tuesday 6:45 am–9 pm
Wednesday 11:30 am–9 pm
Thursday 6:45 am–9 pm
Friday 11:30 am–9 pm
Saturday 9:30 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 Like Water Jiu Jitsu, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 9 mentions

“Like Water Jiu Jitsu is honestly the best thing that’s happened to my son.”

All gyms that run kids bjj →

🏆 Competition Team 2 mentions

“Whether you want to compete or are just looking for a new extracurricular, Like Water is easily the most welcoming Jiu Jitsu club in all of Los Angeles!”

All gyms that run competition team →

🛡️ Self-Defense 3 mentions

“To anyone in LA with an interest in BJJ or self-defense, I highly recommend that you visit Like Water and train under Professor Mauricio.”

All gyms that run self-defense →

🌱 Beginners 3 mentions

“Brand new to BJJ and already crazy about it thanks to Professor Atunes and his students, everyone has been so helpful and patient with me.”

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Other martial arts here

BJJ gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at Like Water Jiu Jitsu — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🤼 Judo

“Judo on Wednesdays, free seminars for members.”

Other gyms that also teach judo →

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 162 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 3 mentions

“Professor Mauricio has a great way of teaching and has a lot real world success in high level competition.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 8 mentions

“I highly recommend coming here if you want to learn from experienced athletes, be part of a welcoming community, and grow as a person both physically and mentally!”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 13 mentions

“I highly recommend coming here if you want to learn from experienced athletes, be part of a welcoming community, and grow as a person both physically and mentally!”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 6 mentions

“Mauricio will teach you all the necessary techniques to be able to grow up in this iconic sport.”

🧒 strong kids program 2 mentions

“My child enjoyed and loved the class and respected his teacher.”

active competition team 3 mentions

“Whether you want to compete or are just looking for a new extracurricular, Like Water is easily the most welcoming Jiu Jitsu club in all of Los Angeles!”

From the reviews

Like water JJ has been such a GREAT experience! Professor Mauricio has been awesome and is always positive! As someone who is over weight I was always intimidated to try any martial art, but when I was introduced to Professor Mauricio and Like Water JJ he has shown me so much positivity and motivation I am excited to…

★★★★★ — John, Oct 2022

Listen, guys, if you dream of learning how your body is built and what it can do you must visit this place and take classes. Mauricio will teach you all the necessary techniques to be able to grow up in this iconic sport. Very very thankful to sensei.

★★★★★ — Ernest, Mar 2024

I trained here for 2 months while living in LA for work. This is truly a gem of a gym, it’s clean and the mats are great. The training partners are friendly and safe, but always down for some hard rolls. Professor Mauricio has a great way of teaching and has a lot real world success in high level competition.

★★★★★ — Bridger, Nov 2022

Like Water Jiu Jitsu is honestly the best thing that’s happened to my son. When Willie first started, he was super shy and not really into group stuff. Now he’s made so many friends, and I’ve seen a huge change in his confidence.

★★★★★ — Yohana, Aug 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 162 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Like Water Jiu Jitsu

Like Water 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.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first BJJ class at Like Water 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.

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 Like Water Jiu Jitsu

5770 Melrose Ave Unit 205, Los Angeles, CA90038

Get directions

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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.