Home › California › Sherman Oaks › New Ground Jiu Jitsu
New Ground Jiu Jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 90 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Sherman Oaks, 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
- Open mat open-mat rolling sessions for members to practice live — always optional and at your own pace
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule newgroundjiujitsu.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 818-538-4989
Hours
| Monday | 6 am–9 pm |
| Tuesday | 6 am–9 pm |
| Wednesday | 6 am–9 pm |
| Thursday | 6 am–9 pm |
| Friday | 6 am–2 pm |
| Saturday | 6 am–2 pm |
| Sunday | 8 am–2 pm |
The classes they run
“I train here, my kids train here, and I can’t recommend enough that anyone and everyone should train here, too.”
“It’s far from a macho place and seems to be great for woman and teens.”
“If you are considering starting no-gi BJJ but feel nervous or unsure, New Ground is the place to take that first step.”
“Whether you’re a beginner, or have been training for a while, New Ground has a bit of everything for no gi training.”
“Whether you are an experienced competitor or just beginning your martial arts journey you'll be in wonderful hands with Coach Mike, Coach Franky, and Coach Andres.”
“Open mat on Sunday is a great time to come check out the academy for free.”
“Whether you’re a beginner, or have been training for a while, New Ground has a bit of everything for no gi training.”
What members say
“Mike and team are amazing coaches and there is something for everyone at this gym.”
“As a newcomer to the sport I was intimidated, but the staff, coaches, and members at New Ground made me feel welcome, safe and supported.”
“The instructors there are knowledgeable, technical, & super friendly and they make you feel welcome to ask questions and even encourage it.”
“They provide the knowledge of “how to” do the techniques and “why” we do certain things, which helps me.”
“Coach Mike has really fostered an environment where you can feel comfortable showing up and training in a safe, clean environment, no matter your level of experience.”
“The gym also has a kids jiujitsu program that helps build confidence, discipline and problem solving skills.”
From the reviews
THERAPY. As someone who has had occasional difficulties in their personal and professional life I often found it challenging to have something to look forward to. This is that place. This is the place you look forward to going to every day.
New Ground is an amazing academy for Jiu Jitsu. I had never done any kind of grappling prior to showing up here a couple years ago. Every coach here is patient, kind, and crazy knowledgable.
I’m brand new to Jiu-Jitsu, and walking into a gym for the first time was pretty intimidating. But from day one at New Ground, the entire process felt smooth, inviting, and genuinely fun. The coaches are very patient, clear, and always open to questions.
I absolutely love this gym. I also train at another gym at the same time, but I have to say New Ground Jujitsu has welcomed me in and everyone there is awesome, the vibe here is great. It’s further than my first gym but well worth the drive, I’m always happy I made the drive after class.
New to BJJ? Start at New Ground Jiu Jitsu
New Ground Jiu Jitsu 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 New Ground 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 Sherman Oaks
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Club
4.7 ★★★★★ 21 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
Steps Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 39 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
Rhalan Gracie Academy of Jiu Jitsu
4.8 ★★★★★ 22 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site