We have been attending Optimus for going on three years now and we can't express enough, the growth…read morewe have seen in our son; not only in the art and skill of jiu-jitsu; but in his growth as a human! He is 7 1/2 years old and he started right at the beginning of 5 years. Lots of tears have been shed over these two years, but the best tears! Tears of growing into bravery and confidence( learning that he doesn't have to fear things he thought he had to fear, and so much more! It has been a beautiful process and there still is so much more growth to come! We are grateful for Professor Grant and his team of outstanding coaches and all around phenomenal people. They all have poured into our son with advice; encouragement; tough love when needed; skill building; life skills; how to treat others; and the list goes on and on. 20 out of 10 is how I would rate our experience! We are here for the long haul and Liam has made some long lasting friendships both with peers and coaches. Our daughter will be next once she gets old enough!

Wow! What can I say about Professor Grant? He is amazing! I am very new to martial arts and it was…read moremore than what I could ever dream of in one hour. His studio is beautiful and very clean. In fact, the mats were just mopped down as I was the first lesson of the day. First, I signed a waiver. Next, I got fitted for a gi and then, we were off to the mats. He gave a brief history of jiu-jitsu, Then, taught me many basic fundamentals. Brazilian jiu-jitsu is such a physical contact sport and I felt very comfortable and safe with Professor Grant. He was easy on me, yet I still broke a sweat. I really appreciated his passion & time and also appreciated his invite to stick around for the 11a class. Oooooooh, if only I didn't have another appointment bc this can be habit forming! I cannot wait to go back. Highly recommended!

I started my 5 yo who's slow to warm up to things and 7 yo who has a hard time focusing just a few…read moremonths ago. They are both excited to train, and it's been the best experience! I expected my 5 yo to go on and off the mat through the class but she stays and participates the whole time! And my 7 yo is loving it and working so hard that he leaves the mat drenched. Teachers and professors are strict yet kind and keeps them in check. Been awesome for us and we hope to continue for years to come.

If you're looking for authentic Brazilian Jiu Jitsu this place has it. They have 2 Brazilin born…read morechampion Black Belts that originally came here as athletes and they're no joke when it comes to what they know and how they teach. They also have several other high ranking coaches that really know what they're doing. We've been at Checkmat V1sion in Ladera since day 1, but my daughter has been training with Coach Annie and Coach Joao for almost 2 years. They've taken her from wearing a "loaner" Gi to competing in 14 competitions and winning 13 medals last year. I can tell you from my almost daily interactions that all the coaches are extremely dedicated to each and every student and supporting their BJJ journey no matter where that takes them. In my case, I've seen my young daughter grow dramatically in her self-confidence under the guidance of Coach Annie and Joao and both of them took their own personal time to attend every competition she had last year. Not only supporting my daughter but the entire team. The facility is spotless and right in the center of town. They have a ton of classes 6 days a week so it's super easy to find a time that works for me and my daughter. Something that makes this Jiu Jitsu Academy different than some others is its competition program. The primary coaches not only teach/train regular BJJ classes they also train champion competitors. My daughter's entire group of about 30 kids in her specific age group competes regularly. But, the biggest thing I love about this gym and the BJJ community, in general, is that it's more like family than anything else. Everyone is really engaged and supportive, especially the parents of all the kids. I myself started training recently and if you're considering any type of martial arts program I'll tell you there's nothing quite like Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and this gym checks all the boxes for me. Like most BJJ gyms you can come in anytime for some free trial classes and get on the mat to see what it's all about. That's how I started.

Sensei Paulo consistently goes above and beyond for his students. His attention to detail and deep…read morededication to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is evident in every class he teaches. Guillobel BJJ not only maintains a welcoming and respectful atmosphere, but also produces high-level practitioners--a true reflection of the schools leadership and passion for the art.

5 star facility and 5 Star coaches. Sensei Anvareyan and Sensei Guillobel are amazing to work with.read more

We love 4 Leaders martial arts. Our daughter can't get enough of it. I 've never seen her so focus…read moreand so excited to go to class thanks to the team there. My daughter is now focusing better in school.

Master Cardenas has an amazing program focused on building character in children. My three children…read morestudied under Master Cardenas for years. It's obvious he loves what he does. He's a pillar off the community... not to mention a 6th degree blackbelt which my children were able to watch him achieve. If you're looking for a program for you or your children, i highly recommend studying under Master Cardenas.

If you want your child to absolutely thrive with confidence, here is where you want them to be…read more All of the Professors and coaches show strong leadership with a kind loving safe approach. My three year old leaves here with the biggest smile weekly

very impressive how good these guys are with kids. Some of the coaches are teens. they are amazing…read moreat handling little kids. i bring my 5 y o Grandson here. I'm so glad to be here. The kids are constantly being taught to respect themselves and to respect others something that is greatly lacking in our society today. even kids that are upset or afraid at the beginning are quickly drawn in as they see all the other kids having so much fun if you are even doing do not want to regret it.

The gym reopened and this is their newest location. My husband and I come here every week. My…read morehusband has been with the gym for about 6-7 years (I think), and I only started going recently about 3-4 months ago. You really can't beat the price, especially with the amazing coaches who lead the classes here. One thing I've found that's incredibly rare is finding good coaches--it's so hard to find them in SoCal. Edith, Manny, Rudy, and Older Manny are wonderful teachers who push you to your limit. They care about a lot and really get to know you. As a woman, joining a combat sports class can feel a bit intimidating, but they make it easy to put in the work and see great results. Love the team and the people at this gym. So many good things to say!

I am so sad to hear about the closure of one of OCs best gyms. This place was more than a gym but a…read moreplace many caked home. The couple that ran things facility were loving and humble. They gave many a reason to change and be better. Thank you for all you did for the community. I pray that God continues to guide you and bring you propserity

I moved to California from New York and started training at AOJ based on my coaches recommendation…read more I can't speak more highly of my experience. Such a welcoming community, coaching on another level and i love how they have 6am classes every weekday because that's the only time i can train as a father. Shout out to Professors Zack, Pablo and Luca

I've been training at AOJ MV for almost 2 yrs, I'm there 3-4 times a week for adult classes and my…read morekids go twice a week in the afternoon. We came from Gracie Barra Headquarters, I was there for 4 years before I decided to switch to AOJ. It was the BEST decision I've made in regards to BJJ training. I love everything about AOJ, the classes, the professors, the facility the bathroom! They are often cleaning the mats, windows, bathrooms. The Professors are all highly skilled and the techniques they teach are so much more complex but they break it down so it's easier to understand. I love how the kids group is separated into smaller clusters giving kids more personalized training. AOJ encourages kids to train multiple classes a day/week if they are able to, our previous school limited kids to 2 classes a week. Not bashing GB but they are more of a intro to JJ school, AOJ is more focused on detailed/higher level instruction.

Get your kids off of their phones and get them down here for the summer ASAP people! This is a…read morelocal community gem! My son has been going here for 2 weeks now for Muay Thai and boxing and has absolutely fallen in love with this place. He rides his Ebike from our house less than a mile away and goes Monday - Thursday. My son, who just turned 14 has been training BJJ since he was 8 and just moving to SC wanted to learn standup. But with his membership, he can train with top-tier BJJ teachers, box, fight, Muay Thai, and do all-around MMA at this gym. This place is amazing! The teachers are excellent! And Adam who owns the gym and also owns SUR coffee is a local hero. Serious Sur is the best coffee in SC hands down as well.

Jakes the best trainer love this gym! He makes working out fun!!!! Go check it out!…read more Even if you have no experience definitely try it out!!!

We've had such a wonderful experience at Gracie Barra Dana Point! My 4-year-old started in the…read moreParent/Child class, and from day one, Professor Fernando, Coach Paula, and Professor Collin were incredibly patient and encouraging. Over the course of two months, they helped build his confidence, focus, and ability to follow instruction. Once he showed he was ready, they invited him into the Monday/Wednesday class and he's thriving. A huge thank you to Coach Paula, Professor Fernando, and Professor Collin for the time, care, and positive affirmations you've poured into my son. In just four months, we've seen amazing growth in his skills, confidence, and respect for others. The classes are fun, engaging, and always rooted in the core values of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. We're so grateful to be part of this community!

Very nice and warm community at a great location! I highly…read morerecommend BJJ to everyone. Professor Fernando and Coach Paula are amazing with kids. Their lessons are way more than just the technical aspects of JJ.

I've been training Jiu Jitsu for six years across several gyms, but this one has quickly become my…read morehome and true family. This gym offers far more than just Jiu Jitsu with Muay Thai, MMA, and fitness all under one roof. The community here is outstanding: welcoming, supportive, and tightly bonded. It feels like more than a gym; it's a real journey I'm grateful to be part of. I've watched the gym evolve and keep improving over time. It never settles for being good, it's always striving to be better, which perfectly reflects the growth mindset these martial arts teach. The coaches are excellent, and offer classes from early morning through the evening for availability when my life needs it. They've given me a clear roadmap for my development and helped me create an actionable plan to level up. If you're looking for a serious all-around martial arts gym with great people and constant progress, this is the one. Highly recommend.

This gym has truly become my second home. The class structure is incredible -- every session is…read moreorganized, purposeful, and packed with value, whether you're a beginner or advanced. The coaches are top-notch: knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely invested in helping everyone improve both on and off the mats. The gym itself is always spotless and well-maintained, which really shows the pride and care the staff put into the space. The atmosphere is unmatched -- there's a strong sense of community and family vibes that make you feel welcome from day one. Training here has not only improved my fitness but has also been a huge source of stress relief. It's helped me manage anxiety and stay positive even on tough days. Jiu Jitsu here isn't just a workout -- it's therapy, growth, and connection all in one. Couldn't recommend this place enough! Oss!