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Sceptre Jiu Jitsu

5 ★★★★★ 25 Google reviews · BJJ gym in San Mateo, California

BJJ gym Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons Competition team

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
  • 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 sceptrejiujitsu.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (650) 753-7486

Hours

Monday Closed
Tuesday 9–10 AM, 11 AM–1 PM, 3–5 PM, 6–7 PM
Wednesday 9–10 AM, 11 AM–3 PM, 6–7 PM
Thursday 9–10 AM, 11 AM–1 PM, 3–5 PM, 6–7 PM
Friday 9–10 AM, 11 AM–1 PM
Saturday Closed
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 Sceptre Jiu Jitsu, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 8 mentions

“Sceptre has been an amazing addition to the community and is a great place to safely learn modern grappling techniques for both children and adults.”

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👤 Private Lessons

“They also offer personal training, and if you’re a seasoned Jiu Jitsu student, the adult classes and memberships are great too!”

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🔓 Open Mat 2 mentions

“After class, there was an open mat where I got in some great rounds with friendly and skilled training partners.”

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🛡️ Self-Defense

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🌱 Beginners 2 mentions

“He breaks down complex movements in a way that makes them easy to understand, whether you’re a complete beginner or someone with years of experience.”

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What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 25 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 4 mentions

“I can personally vouch for coach higgie being a great instructor and training buddy.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 8 mentions

“He breaks down complex movements in a way that makes them easy to understand, whether you’re a complete beginner or someone with years of experience.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 19 mentions

“He takes the time to give individual feedback, makes sure everyone feels welcome, and creates a training environment that’s both challenging and supportive.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 12 mentions

“Sceptre has been an amazing addition to the community and is a great place to safely learn modern grappling techniques for both children and adults.”

🧼 clean, well-kept mats 8 mentions

“We came in without many expectations and were pleasantly surprised to see so many familiar families from our school, along with how clean and organized the space was.”

💗 welcoming to women 2 mentions

“Family friendly, competitive and supportive including women new to the sport such as myself.”

From the reviews

I can personally vouch for coach higgie being a great instructor and training buddy. He is kind, respectful, and as skilled as he is humble! He brings a wonderful attitude on and off the mats and I know he will be a great coach for adults and kids classes.

★★★★★ — Vincent, Sep 2025

From the very first class, my 7-year-old daughter was hooked and it’s easy to see why! John is a true master of Jiu Jitsu. His classes are fun, educational, and full of energy, and he genuinely cares about every student.

★★★★★ — Kirsty, Nov 2025

I can’t say enough good things about Sceptre Jiu Jitsu and Professor John Miller. His teaching style is the perfect balance of technical detail and patience. He breaks down complex movements in a way that makes them easy to understand, whether you’re a complete beginner or someone with years of experience.

★★★★★ — John, Sep 2025

Coach John Miller is a passionate and kind jiu jitsu coach. Sceptre has been an amazing addition to the community and is a great place to safely learn modern grappling techniques for both children and adults. Classes usually start with jiu jitsu games that focus on developing a certain skill of the week.

★★★★★ — Toby, Sep 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 25 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Sceptre Jiu Jitsu

Sceptre 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 Sceptre 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 Sceptre Jiu Jitsu

3b N Kingston St, San Mateo, CA94401

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.