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Silva Jiu Jitsu Academy
4.9 ★★★★★ 42 Google reviews · BJJ gym in El Cajon, 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
- Kids & youth classes kids and youth BJJ classes (ages 3–12) — 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 silvabjjacademy.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 619-251-2117
Hours
| Monday | 10 am–1 pm, 4:30–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 10 am–1 pm, 4:30–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 10 am–1 pm, 4:30–8 pm |
| Thursday | 10 am–1 pm, 4:30–8 pm |
| Friday | 10 am–1 pm, 4:30–8 pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“Coach Mel and Profe are so good with the kids- great place for your children to learn discipline while having fun and learning jiu jitsu from the best.”
“The adult team ranges from young and old, male and female, novice to serious competitors!”
Other martial arts here
“I'm strongly considering signing up myself, having no MMA background whatsoever, thanks to the inspiration provided by Silva Jiu Jitsu!”
What members say
“I was visiting from Chicago and got some training with one of Paul Silva’s black belts and there was also purple belt who were very welcoming.”
“I was visiting from Chicago and got some training with one of Paul Silva’s black belts and there was also purple belt who were very welcoming.”
“Coach Mel and Profe are so good with the kids- great place for your children to learn discipline while having fun and learning jiu jitsu from the best.”
“:) Because of their mentorship, they even got me out of my shell and I competed in my first competition!”
“Im also a Carlson Gracie Team member.”
“I've been impressed by the size and cleanliness of the training area, the professionalism and friendliness of the coaches, and the passion and energy of the jiu jitsu community!”
From the reviews
Family oriented, welcoming to all members even disabilities. Teaches respect, discipline and encouragement. This academy has been around for years and always has your best interests at heart. Love live and learn and always remember that a family that trains together stay together ❤️
I had the pleasure of training with the finest instructors at Paul Silvas academy! They have well structured classes for Toddler to adults! The gym is super clean and well maintained! Mrs. Mel is amazing with the kids! She makes the classes fun and has great energy! Professor Paul teaches the adults class!
This school is amazing! I was visiting from Chicago and got some training with one of Paul Silva’s black belts and there was also purple belt who were very welcoming. Im also a Carlson Gracie Team member.
I’ve been training at the academy for a little over a year and almost 3 years for my husband. This academy has been such a blessing in our lives and we are so happy to have found our Jiu Jitsu fam! I mainly train with the ladies in the evenings and there’s always a good amount of ladies on the mats every class.
Your first BJJ class at Silva 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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🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site