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Steps Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 39 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
- 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 stepsbjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (747) 327-0194
Hours
| Monday | 6:30 AM–8:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 7 AM–8:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 7 AM–8:30 PM |
| Thursday | 6:30 AM–8:30 PM |
| Friday | 3–8 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM–1:30 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“If you want your kid, kids or yourself to learn and improve - attend a class and you will fall in love.”
“As a woman who just started jiu jitsu last year, I’ve felt nothing but safe, encouraged, and empowered while training.”
“He helped me develop my entire game and guided me to numerous successful tournament performances.”
“Once I started taking private lessons with professor Fabio, my jiu-jitsu was elevated to another level.”
“Often you will find world champs and highly decorated practitioners at the Sunday open mat.”
“Whether you're a beginner or an experienced practitioner, Fabio ensures that each student receives personalized attention, fostering skill development and growth.”
What members say
“Professor Fabio is not only a world champion, but also an exceptional coach—extremely knowledgeable, yet incredibly personable.”
“Fabio and the rest of the group who have been training for a long time create a welcoming, non intimidating environment which make for an easy and smooth introduction to the art.”
“Fabio and the rest of the group who have been training for a long time create a welcoming, non intimidating environment which make for an easy and smooth introduction to the art.”
“His attention to detail and genuine consideration for his students' safety, comfort, and ability to learn and make tangible progress are all extremely clear in every single lesson.”
“My son loves taking his classes always talks about how much fun he has.”
“He's also known to always be in teammates' corners coaching them at competitions and has even traveled internationally with Isaac Doederlein to corner him.”
From the reviews
This is a beautiful academy...with a very clean and welcoming atmosphere. Once I started taking private lessons with professor Fabio, my jiu-jitsu was elevated to another level. He helped me develop my entire game and guided me to numerous successful tournament performances. I highly recommend!
If you're looking for world-class, high-level jiu-jitsu instruction, you'll find it here at Steps. The head instructor, Fabbio Passos, was Cobrinha's main instructor at the Cobrinha headquarters for 12 years, from morning til night, teaching kids, adults, beginners, pros, and privates, before opening this beautiful…
Coach Fabio's jiu-jitsu gym, Steps, embodies excellence on multiple fronts. The cleanliness of the facility is a testament to the meticulous attention to detail, creating an environment that fosters not only physical well-being but also a sense of comfort and safety for practitioners.
Fabio is a fantastic instructor with a gold mine of technical knowledge and championship experience. He is extremely patient, attentive, and understanding. Whether new or seasoned to Jiujitsu, this is a phenomenal establishment to learn from one of the best instructors in the game!
New to BJJ? Start at Steps Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Steps Brazilian 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.
Your first BJJ class at Steps 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.
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