HomeCaliforniaBakersfield › The Collaborative American Jiu Jitsu

The Collaborative American Jiu Jitsu

4.9 ★★★★★ 27 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Bakersfield, 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 collaborativeajj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (661) 477-7972

Hours

Monday 5–7:30 PM
Tuesday 5–8 PM
Wednesday 5–8 PM
Thursday 5–8 PM
Friday 5:30–8 PM
Saturday Closed
Sunday 11 AM–1 PM

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 The Collaborative American Jiu Jitsu, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 16 mentions

“They are not only creating an amazing environment for kids to thrive but also providing a space for their parents to connect and create community.”

All gyms that run kids bjj →

Teens BJJ

“Which is due to like I did when I was in high school.”

All gyms that run teens bjj →

🌱 Beginners 5 mentions

“The atmosphere is positive, inclusive, and non-intimidating, making it the perfect environment for both beginners and experienced practitioners.”

All gyms that run beginners →

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 27 Google reviews — in their own words.

🌱 welcoming to beginners 12 mentions

“Kevin, Mona and the instructors are very friendly and welcoming; they are great at teaching technique and showing it step by step so you understand.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 19 mentions

“The coaches have created such a positive and supportive environment where kids feel encouraged while still learning discipline, accountability, and hard work.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 7 mentions

“They break down complex techniques into manageable steps, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their skill level, can grasp and execute them effectively.”

🧼 clean, well-kept mats 3 mentions

“The Collaborative American Jiu Jitsu provides a clean, safe and friendly environment to train jiu jitsu.”

🧠 builds confidence & discipline 5 mentions

“When she first started, she was shy, nervous around new people, and lacked confidence in social situations.”

From the reviews

I can't express enough how grateful I am to have found this incredible Jiu Jitsu gym. From day one, I've been welcomed into a supportive community that's not just about learning martial arts, but also about personal growth and camaraderie. The instructors here are nothing short of amazing.

★★★★★ — Harrison, Aug 2023

The collaborativeajj is such a Great school. Kevin, Mona and the instructors are very friendly and welcoming; they are great at teaching technique and showing it step by step so you understand. This school is a wonderful place for beginners to start training without feeling overwhelmed or the fear of getting hurt.

★★★★★ — Adam, Mar 2024

Kevin, Mona and the team are very friendly and welcoming; they are great at teaching techniques and being patient with new students. This school is a wonderful place for beginners to train with others and to get a good sweat in.

★★★★★ — Nick, Aug 2023

I never really thought I would be into jiu jitsu but ever since starting at the Collaborative it has been an amazing experience. I have been going for about 3 months now and do it 3 times a week and every single day I am getting taught something new.

★★★★★ — Kaya, Mar 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 27 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at The Collaborative American Jiu Jitsu

The Collaborative American 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 The Collaborative American 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 The Collaborative American Jiu Jitsu

1723 Elzworth St #2, Bakersfield, CA93312

Get directions

More BJJ gyms near Bakersfield

Trujitsu Bakersfield Brazilian Jiu Jitsu/mattbakerbjj

4.8 ★★★★★ 33 reviews

3714 Coffee Rd, Bakersfield, CA

🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site

BJJ gym Free trial Kids & teens No-gi Competition team Affiliated expert, high-level coachingwelcoming to beginnersno-ego, friendly academy

1.6 miles away

Piranha Jiu Jitsu

4.7 ★★★★★ 13 reviews

6732 Charity Ave Build. 1, Bakersfield, CA

BJJ gym Kids & teens Competition team no-ego, friendly academy

1.7 miles away

South Valley Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

4.9 ★★★★★ 45 reviews

6403 7 Seas Ave, Bakersfield, CA

BJJ gym Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons Competition team welcoming to beginnersno-ego, friendly academystrong kids program

2.3 miles away

All BJJ gyms in Bakersfield, CA →

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.