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Waves Jiu Jitsu

5 ★★★★★ 27 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Los Angeles, 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 wavesjiujitsu.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (818) 397-3390

Hours

Monday 10 AM–9 PM
Tuesday 10 AM–9 PM
Wednesday 10 AM–9 PM
Thursday 10 AM–9 PM
Friday 10 AM–9 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 Waves Jiu Jitsu, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🛡️ Self-Defense

“Whether you are looking to improve your self-defense skills, get in shape, or simply challenge yourself in a new way, Waves JIU JITSU and Professor Dan are the perfect fit.”

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🌱 Beginners 5 mentions

“But Professor Spence immediately reassured me that they specialize in working with beginners, and from the moment I walked in, he made me feel welcome and at ease.”

All gyms that run beginners →

What members say

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

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 10 mentions

“Spence is a solid BJJ instructor. Extremely knowledgeable and professional instructor with a high level of enthusiasm and attentiveness.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 7 mentions

“The class structure is well-balanced, catering to students of all levels, from beginners to advanced practitioners.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 6 mentions

“✔️ Top notch instruction ✔️ Clean environment ✔️ Friendly & patient ✔️ Absolute savage on the mats Look no further, this is where you want to train.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 6 mentions

“If it does not make sense to you or you have trouble with technique, He brakes down the techniques is little bit of pieces to make it easier to perform.”

🧼 clean, well-kept mats 3 mentions

“✔️ Top notch instruction ✔️ Clean environment ✔️ Friendly & patient ✔️ Absolute savage on the mats Look no further, this is where you want to train.”

🧠 builds confidence & discipline 2 mentions

“Whether on the mats or in my day to day life I can say with complete certainty that Bjj changed my life.”

From the reviews

Dan Spence is one of the warmest and most knowledgeable Jiu-Jitsu professors I’ve had the privilege of training with. His technical skill is remarkable, but what truly sets him apart is the way he encourages students to develop their own style.

★★★★★ — Jonathan, Mar 2025

Spence is a solid BJJ instructor. Extremely knowledgeable and professional instructor with a high level of enthusiasm and attentiveness. Even if you train at a different academy I’d recommend stopping in for a smaller, more intimate, and focused class where you will receive personalized attention, something lacking in…

★★★★★ — Joseph, May 2024

Waves JIU JITSU and Professor Dan are an unbeatable combination when it comes to martial arts training. Professor Dan is an exceptional instructor who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to every class. His passion for Jiu Jitsu is evident in his teaching style, which is both engaging and effective.

★★★★★ — George, Jun 2024

I’ll be honest—I'm not physically coordinated at all, and I sometimes feel like I’m allergic to physical activity. So, I was incredibly nervous to start my first class at Waves BJJ.

★★★★★ — Natasha, Jul 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 27 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Waves Jiu Jitsu

Waves 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 Waves 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 Waves Jiu Jitsu

3462 N San Fernando Rd, Los Angeles, CA90065

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.