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Varsity Jiu Jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 30 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Monterey Park, California
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
- Women's classes dedicated women's BJJ classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
- 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 varsityjiujitsu.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (323) 318-2105
Hours
| Monday | 6:30 AM–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 6:30 AM–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 6:30 AM–9 PM |
| Thursday | 6:30 AM–9 PM |
| Friday | 6:30 AM–9 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM–1 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“I've been training nogi for about a year and recently made the jump to gi — which, iykyk.”
“Whether you’re a competitor looking for top level coaching or an everyday BJJ practitioner looking for a strong community, I can’t recommend Varsity Jiu Jitsu enough.”
“Whether you're here for self-defense, competition, or just to show up for yourself, there's a place for you on the mat.”
“The facility is brand new and it’s been really cool seeing Isaac and James finally open their own place after following them the last few years.”
What members say
“We have always known Isaac and James are world class coaches who host world class training, now they have a their very own world class gym.”
“They have a strong women’s team and a community that’s genuinely supportive and welcoming, whether you’re a hobbyist or a professional athlete.”
“They have a strong women’s team and a community that’s genuinely supportive and welcoming, whether you’re a hobbyist or a professional athlete.”
“Isaac and James are world level BJJ coaches and do a great job breaking down techniques in a way that’s easy to understand.”
“Whether you’re a competitor looking for top level coaching or an everyday BJJ practitioner looking for a strong community, I can’t recommend Varsity Jiu Jitsu enough.”
“The facility was super clean, they have showers on site, and the huge free parking lot made getting to class really easy.”
From the reviews
I moved here from Orange County and spent some time bouncing around different gyms in the LA area trying to find the right fit. I came across Varsity Jiu Jitsu about three years ago and haven’t looked back since. Isaac and James are both super down to earth and also world class athletes.
I've been training nogi for about a year and recently made the jump to gi — which, iykyk. It's a whole new world. But from day one, I was received with nothing but kindness and a genuine willingness to share knowledge, no matter where I was in my journey.
Since I started jiu jitsu, I've switched gyms probably 6-7 times due to different reasons. Some have been relocation for work & COVID reasons, some have been due to me not finding a right fit for what I wanted out of jiu jitsu.
Hands down the best jiu-jitsu gym in the western hemisphere. World-class instruction. Isaac's and James' approach to teaching jiu-jitsu is unmatched. They employ a unique methodology that makes concept-retention and technique-retention easy.
New to BJJ? Start at Varsity Jiu Jitsu
Varsity 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.
Your first BJJ class at Varsity 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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