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Poway Jiu Jitsu

4.9 ★★★★★ 56 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Poway, 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 powaybjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (858) 828-7478

Hours

Monday 4:30–7:30 PM
Tuesday 6 AM–7 PM
Wednesday 6 AM–7:30 PM
Thursday 6 AM–7 PM
Friday 6 AM–7 PM
Saturday 10 AM–12:30 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 Poway Jiu Jitsu, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 21 mentions

“I recommend atleast trying it, or signing up your kid for the kids class, it even has a class everyday except for Friday and Sunday.”

All gyms that run kids bjj →

🏆 Competition Team 3 mentions

“Do you already know a bit and want to be a successful competitor?”

All gyms that run competition team →

🛡️ Self-Defense

All gyms that run self-defense →

🌱 Beginners 6 mentions

“He had no experience in martial arts but we persuaded him to do a trial class.”

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 Poway Jiu Jitsu — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🎽 Karate

“I have a blackbelt in American Karate and a few years ago started looking to expand my martial arts experience.”

Other gyms that also teach karate →

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 56 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 5 mentions

“The affiliation with Barret Submissions plus the excellent coaching of Victor and Jeff keep the training innovative so we never get stale in our training.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 12 mentions

“I started last November and as intimidating as it can be to walk into a BJJ gym and start the learning process, they were very welcoming and easy to learn from.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 28 mentions

“Jeff and Vic have cultivated a welcoming experience where a lot of friendships have been made.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 5 mentions

“We don’t do 20 minutes of jumping jacks and calisthenics then FINALLY get to the lesson; rather, we have a quick, intense warmup then get right to the technique.”

active competition team 3 mentions

“Do you already know a bit and want to be a successful competitor?”

🧼 clean, well-kept mats 6 mentions

“The atmosphere is welcoming, clean, and respectful for all levels.”

From the reviews

Poway BJJ is the best! I have a blackbelt in American Karate and a few years ago started looking to expand my martial arts experience. I was recommended to Jeff and Vic, who own this gym. Joining Poway BJJ was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

★★★★★ — Patrick, May 2024

Poway Jiu Jitsu is a fantastic place to train. The affiliation with Barret Submissions plus the excellent coaching of Victor and Jeff keep the training innovative so we never get stale in our training.

★★★★★ — Jp, May 2024

This is a great gym! The coaches are supportive and super easy to talk to. I started last November and as intimidating as it can be to walk into a BJJ gym and start the learning process, they were very welcoming and easy to learn from.

★★★★★ — Ben, Oct 2025

This is amazing gym! I appreciate the family friendly atmosphere! My husband, our 4 BOYS and myself attend classes here throughout the whole week. The progress we all have seen has been exciting to watch and experience.

★★★★★ — Priscilla, Jul 2018

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 56 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Poway Jiu Jitsu

Poway 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 Poway 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 Poway Jiu Jitsu

12855 Pomerado Rd, Poway, CA92064

Get directions Instagram

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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.