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Santa Maria Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

4.9 ★★★★★ 33 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Santa Maria, California

BJJ gym Beginners welcome Kids & teens

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
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule smbjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 805-925-3000

Hours

Monday 5–6 am, 8–11:30 am, 4–7:30 pm
Tuesday 5:30 am–7 pm
Wednesday 5–6 am, 8–11:30 am, 3:30–7:30 pm
Thursday 9–10:30 am, 5:30–7 pm
Friday 5–6 am, 8–11:30 am, 3:30–7:30 pm
Saturday 8–11 am
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 Santa Maria Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

📘 Fundamentals 2 mentions

“Great fundamentals class followed by leg lock instruction .”

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🧒 Kids BJJ 18 mentions

“I see them now interacting with other kids with a strong sense of self confidence and not shy away like they once did.”

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🛡️ Self-Defense 4 mentions

“Chris does a great job of teaching Jiu Jitsu in a way that applies not only on the mats, but in real life self defense scenarios as well.”

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🌱 Beginners 3 mentions

“Chris is knowledgeable, friendly and everyone else is helpful and friendly especially to beginners.”

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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 Santa Maria Brazilian Jiu Jitsu — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

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 33 Google reviews — in their own words.

🌱 welcoming to beginners 7 mentions

“Chris is knowledgeable, friendly and everyone else is helpful and friendly especially to beginners.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 30 mentions

“Let me just say, I felt safe, we were treated like family and Chris and his wife were beyond amazing!”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 4 mentions

“Great friendly students and professor Lance was awesome with his lapel techniques.”

great workout & conditioning 4 mentions

“She’s kept in great shape and has awesome social skills because of it.”

🧒 strong kids program 2 mentions
active competition team 2 mentions

“Not only do you get to feel like you’re in sports again and find new friends, there is a sense of competition and sportsmanship that comes along with this family.”

From the reviews

Its the type of place you come and you are welcomed and encouraged by everyone. Truly family atmosphere with great classes to choose from. My daughter has been attending the kids class for the past year and loves every minute of it. She’s kept in great shape and has awesome social skills because of it.

★★★★★ — Victoria, Apr 2019

This is a great place to learn a new set of skills or sharpen the ones you already have. The camaraderie here is one of the best I’ve seen and it’s also a family friendly environment.

★★★★★ — Carlos, Apr 2019

Marine combat veteran, what else can I say? Chris has created an environment where civilians, active duty, veterans and public service can come in and connect with a common goal: learning self defense through Brazilian jiu jitsu. Comradery and a family environment are intermingled seamlessly here.

★★★★★ — Stephen, Mar 2020

Chris and the rest of the staff at Santa Maria Brazilian Jiu Jitsu are amazing! This is a family friendly environment where respect for one another comes first. Chris does a great job of teaching Jiu Jitsu in a way that applies not only on the mats, but in real life self defense scenarios as well.

★★★★★ — S, May 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 33 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Santa Maria Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Santa Maria Brazilian 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.

See their beginner class info

Your first BJJ class at Santa Maria Brazilian 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 Santa Maria Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

2337 A St, Santa Maria, CA93455

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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.