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Lion Heart Jiu Jitsu Academy
5 ★★★★★ 45 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Pasadena, California
Plan your first class
- 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
- Private lessons private, one-on-one coaching available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule lionheartjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (626) 479-1969
Hours
| Monday | 5–8:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 6–8:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 6–8:30 PM |
| Thursday | 6–8:30 PM |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 10 AM–1:30 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“My kids and I have been attending Lion Heart Juijitsu for a few months now, and we couldn’t be more pleased.”
“they have kids class, women’s class, adults class, and occasionally kickboxing.”
“Several of my classmates are placing in the top 3 in BJJ tournaments so it's super impressive how everyone keeps it light and yet the focus and skill building is undeniable.”
“I was interested in jiu jitsu because I wanted to learn some self defense skills and that’s when I found Lionheart!”
“Been here for 2 years and everyone has been so nice and I have progressed from a complete noobie beginner loser to a below average grappler!”
Other martial arts here
“they have kids class, women’s class, adults class, and occasionally kickboxing.”
What members say
“Nice facility, great instructors and a fun culture of friendly people who are happy to help you learn.”
“Been here for 2 years and everyone has been so nice and I have progressed from a complete noobie beginner loser to a below average grappler!”
“Not only did I gain valuable skills, but I’m also incredibly lucky to be part of such a welcoming, supportive, and friendly environment.”
“All the coaches teach modern jiu jitsu as well as the basic fundamentals to get you to where you want to be.”
“Several of my classmates are placing in the top 3 in BJJ tournaments so it's super impressive how everyone keeps it light and yet the focus and skill building is undeniable.”
“I myself enjoy training here for a number of reasons…nice clean environment, great music to roll to, and good energy all around from the coaches and fellow students.”
From the reviews
My kids and I have been attending Lion Heart Juijitsu for a few months now, and we couldn’t be more pleased. My kids are seven and nine, and they both had no prior experience. Coach Claudia is so caring and thorough that it makes them excited to return every Tuesday and Thursday.
As soon as I walked into the academy, I was immediately surprised by the space and training environment that Lion Heart Jiu Jitsu provides. The mats are well-sized and both the instructors and students immediately welcomed me with open arms.
Vibe like no other gym! Everyone is awesome to train with. You can have your casual playful rolls for leaning to the more intense competition rolls as needed. All the coaches teach modern jiu jitsu as well as the basic fundamentals to get you to where you want to be.
I love the positive, encouraging environment Jeremy (the owner) has established here! We enrolled our little boy in classes, and we couldn't be happier with the patience and encouragement he gets from his coaches. Watching him grow and learn has been so inspirational, that I signed myself up for classes too!
New to BJJ? Start at Lion Heart Jiu Jitsu Academy
Lion Heart Jiu Jitsu Academy 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 Lion Heart Jiu Jitsu Academy
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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