Great program, great sensei, great teammates. The dojo is very clean and safe, everyone is very helpful and willing to take the time to help with the journey read more

I am so impressed with how good this place is, it feels like family! Instructors are so awesome! The way the class is helps our kids grow so much in many areas of their physical, psychological and social aspects. I am very thankful for this for my daughter. read more

Jiu Jitsu Foundation - Emma just a few months in. - Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Near Me - La Mesa, California

We have been apart of this family for a little over a year and we couldn't be happier with our experience. I love that they let each student grow and develop at their own pace. All the teacher are sweet and genuinely care. They don't pressure the student to learn but to have fun and later embrace the love for jiujitsu. Our sweet gentle giant, Josiah has become more confident and outgoing among many other things. We love our JJF family ! read more

Jiu Jitsu Foundation - Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Near Me - La Mesa, California

See all

The JJF team is more than just a team, it really is a family. Our kids went for 2yrs and loved it. The coaches are engaged and kind, always available to help the students or the parents. It really is a great group of people. read more

It is rare to find any type of business that truly deserves more than 5 stars but this it is. JJF has had such a remarkable impact on the physical and mental development of my 6-year-old son. I am continually in awe at the quality of both the mentorship and engagement the instructors afford the kids. I simply cannot recommend this place enough. This is top to bottom an A+ organization. Master Gabi is perhaps the most gifted instructor of children I have ever seen. She gracefully straddles that fine line between friend and authority, firm and playful, focused and fun You couldn't ask for a better environment for a child to learn martial arts. Gabi and Kim - I'm sorry we have to go. It's been real. It's been so freakin' real. read more

Jiu Jitsu Foundation - My man earning his first new belt. Thanks Master Gaby and JJF! - Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Near Me - La Mesa, California

This place is the best hands down. My son absolutely loves it here and he's learning so much. the coaches are amazing (especially coach panda) and I couldn't have chosen a better fit for my son. If you're indecisive about which Jit Jitsu class to put your son in, they do a FREE evaluation on your child and you can go from there. Highly recommend this place! read more

Visited here several times when my family is in SD and was a fantastic experience. The whole team was friendly. Instruction was solid and both the kids class and adults class was amazing! Highly recommended!! read more

See all

The Jui Jitsu Foundation has been amazing for Christopher, since we started 4 weeks ago. He really enjoys the class and wakes up in the morning asking if he can do Jui Jitsu today. Your facility is extremely friendly and I personally like the parent and family viewing area. I hope to see Christopher doing Jiu Jitsu as a life long investment. As for now I like the class he is in and it works for our schedule. He really enjoys it, but I am a little nervous that I may need to brush up on my techniques. Every day he shows me his moves, and I think he is getting too good. I am shocked at what you have shown him in only a month and I can't wait to see how he improves over the next year. On a side note, since Christopher has started with you I have noticed a big change in the way he reacts to not getting his way. He is only 4 1/2 and sometimes, ok a lot of times , he cries over something like sharing his toys with his 2 year old brother, or cries of something silly. As soon as he starts his little fits, I will just say your Jiu Jitsu teacher would not be happy with this type of yelling, I'm calling Ms. Kim. I fake call you 4 times a day. Instantly he would stop whatever he was crying or yelling about and say that he wants to get his stripes and do Jiu Jitsu. I think this may be every parents dream. You have all been so wonderful with my child, you are helping to build his confidence and physical coordination. I will see you at practice. read more

Love the classes, teachers and comradery. Good learning and workout environment. Would highly recommend this Jiu Jitsu learning center.

Starting at a new school as a purple belt can be a little intimidating but these guys make it easy. I'm already getting specific tips on my own game plan from black belts and I've only been there a couple of months. It's a friendly learning atmosphere with lots of good training partners. I definitely recommend checking it out. read more

JJF is a wonderful studio. My son loves attending his class. Terrific instructors and we love their life philosophy.

Joining JJF has been one of the best things I've done for my family since moving to La Mesa! JJF has surpassed all our expectations! My two children, ages 10 and 8, and I enrolled in JJF in February 2020. We've enjoyed a warm welcome, friendly treatment, top notch coaching, fun environment, and a family-like community. JJF takes deep pride and joy in teaching the core principles of jiu jitsu and seeing their students grow and flourish physically, mentally and spiritually. The JJF instructors are hand-picked with great attention to character and communication skills. They all share a commitment to excellence and a genuine bond with and care for their students. During the pandemic shut-down, JJF was quick to transition to an online learning program so rich and fine-tuned that students could keep making progress without a blip! I recommend JJF wholeheartedly to anyone looking for the best sport club for their family. See you soon on the mat !! :) read more

This place is golden! We tried a few places I was not happy with and when I entered JJF we knew it was the one! It was the furthest from our house but worth the drive for the experience and cleanliness! They have done an unbelievable job during COVID and are so good to the kids every step of the way. read more

Our 11 year old daughter Ava loves her new gym. The Coaches are attentive and always encouraging and engaged during class, the gym is huge, clean, and temperature controlled. The kids gets homework and homework stripes, parents get updates and emails regularly, they have their own app where she can watch videos of the weekly moves, they test everyone every five weeks, and the classes have size limits, something I was specifically looking for. To know You have to give three months notice to cancel and get payments stopped. New students can only wear white or blue gi's. read more

The best! All the instructors are attentive to character development as well as understanding child development AND they make it fun!

IF I COULD GIVE THIS PLACE 10 STARS I WOULD! The only reason I can't give the place 5 stars is because the hours! I get that behind every black belt, there was a very dedicated parent, but that dedicated parent needs a job to pay for jiujitsu! Or at least, I do! if I Recommend this place? YESSS 100000 TIMES Value? 10000 times yes, again fair price? ABSOLUTELY YES great, engaging instructors? YOU KNOW ITTTT convenience hours? ABSOLUTELY NO! I love this place so much, my kid loves this place so much he cries every time I tell him I won't be able to make it out work on time for him to go to jiujitsu. While sitting at the bench Ive spoked to other parents who have to juggle their time around and get either strangers, or other family members to get their kids to the JJF. I would love for my child to pursue his martial arts career at the JJF, but Im worried this isn't gonna be doable with a class starting at 3:45 read more

Great start for my 7 yo son. I've trained nogi bjj and it wasn't for him at 6 yo. Luckily this year my son made new classmates that gain here. Wow, what a difference! The gi, structure, student to instructor ratio is awesome. Their attention to detail is very important and critical for young students. I highly recommend JJF. I also cross-train here. read more

Jiu Jitsu Foundation - The JJF Family will be your second home. - Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Near Me - La Mesa, California

Cadu is a beast and a great instructor. The new facility is super nice and there are great training partners there. If you're already training and in the area come check it out. If you're new and live close do yourself a favor and check it out. read more

Coach Panda is an awesome teacher! The whole environment is very conducive to success and learning, but also this place is welcoming and friendly. If you're trying to learn jiu jitsu this is the place to be! read more

Very disappointed in this foundation. I brought my special needs son to learn focus as the coaches were quick to point out how this would help kids focus. My son is 7 and has behavioral issues in that he is overly excitable. Given that he hasn't had social interaction since COVID, I thought this was a great opportunity. On his 4 in person lesson, the coach speaks with my son's father, and discusses how my son is a distraction, had been switched with different kids and may need to be taken out of the group class setting- RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY KID. Needless to say, my son's spirit was shot. I am not a parent that wants to baby my kid, but the coaches do not understand how self esteem can be shot when someone they look up to basically says they are not meeting expectations. The coaches never bothered to call me or his dad prior, and unleashed their disappointment right in front of my kid. I will never recommend this place ever. read more

This place is amazing! I am only in my first month of Jiu Jitsu and I am astounded by the amount of fun I am having and the amount I am learning. Master Cadu teaches in a very detailed, tactile and visual manner, breaking the movements down step by step while explaining the tiny details that help students to visualize what to do with our bodies. I must also commend the culture they have here. I am welcomed, as a white belt (I'm talking bleach white) into a room of fellow beginners, intermediates, experts and masters in the art as apart of the crew. Everyone, from white belt to black belt, is humble and respectful, ready to learn together. The classes are engaging, fun, and take a lot of physical and mental energy! I love the fact that mental awareness is paramount to the purpose of each movement learned. I recommend this school, hands down. read more

I have trained with Cadu since 2008. He has always been a thoughtful teacher. You don't just get world class instruction, but insightful criticism and a personal and friendly approach to "The Gentle Art". He and Gabriela have made a fun, welcoming, family environment, appropriate for all age levels and abilities. This is also reflected in the students, who are very helpful and approachable, regardless of your experience level. The facilities are very clean and project the professional environment that Cadu and Gabbi have worked hard to build. The mats are professional grade, built over a floating floor to absorb impact and always clean. The shower and locker room area are always in great condition and have ample storage space. Jiu Jitsu Foundation also provides various supplies needed for Jiu Jitsu including Gis, mouthpieces, t-shirts and hats; all at competitive prices. I would strongly recommend buying your training equipment through them as the value and quality of their gear surpasses the stores around town. The big difference between training here and at any average martial arts academy is that if you train at Jiu Jitsu Foundation, you will truly learn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Many martial arts academies "award" higher belts to keep your business, instead of awarding you on what you actually learn. That is not only irresponsible business, but can be dangerous for students who believe they are more advanced than they are. When you earn a new stripe or a higher belt at Jiu Jistu Foundation, it is because you have genuinely earned it and have advanced as a student. This is where your hard-earned money actually goes far and it is thanks to the honest, helpful training of Cadu and Gabbi. I cannot stress that enough. This is genuine training and while many dojos claim that, few prove it the way Jiu Jitsu Foundation does. Come to Jiu Jitsu Foundation to learn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and you will receive world class training, fun physical fitness and a great family environment that will motivate you beyond your expectations. read more

I've been a student of master Cadu and Gabi Francis for over 2 years now and I received my blue belt under them. Its hard to describe how they/Jiu jitsu have changed my life... I am in much better shape these days and in have grow mentally! I have recommend there academy to a couple of friends and I know they feel the same way. The academy also offers a program for higher belts destined to be black belt!!! It's as technical as it is physically exciting! There's a competition team for serious Jiu jitsu students, a kids class with students ranging 6 to 16, and they offer an all women's class! THE SKY'S THE LIMIT WITH JIU JITSU FOUNDATION!!! Thank you Master Gabi and Cadu... PS. The academy is very clean, and has great amenities such as workout equipment, showers, fresh towels, cold water (very important after a hard training) wi-fi,soft mates that are lifted and double padded, and most important and great atmosphere! read more

The Jiu Jitsu Foundation is an amazing place to train and be around good people. Academy = clean , organized , comfortable. Instructors = intelligent , caring , talented , top level students = skilled , inviting , humble This Academy is a great place and any city , and or town would be lucky to have them. Good news is we get them all to ourselves right here in La Mesa !! I literally signed up for a yelp account to support this group , because they deserve it. Gaby & Cadu are not just great instructors but they are really really good people that i would trust with anything. Osss read more

Thought I had already written a review here, guess it didn't go through on my phone. I was taught here for around a year and a half by Cadu and Gabi Francis. This was the third BJJ school I had been to, and by far the best. Cadu and Gabi are great coaches and seem to have a ton of patience, especially with the kids. They truly are masters of the sport and have their craft down to a science. Having moved away recently, I tried out a couple of schools here that teach BJJ. The level of instruction is not even comparable to what the instructors at the Jiu Jitsu Foundation offer. I miss this place for sure, and anyone in the La Mesa or San Diego area looking for quality BJJ instruction NEEDS to check this place out! read more

I've been training with Cadu and Gabi Francis for many years now. They are awesome educators and professionals, the best teachers you will find, dedicated to your health and athletic development. I have taken self defense classes and Pilates at JJF and I simply love the classes and the new space!! read more

I have been training at JJF for a little over 2 months now and absolutely love it. Cadu and Gabi are great teachers and really great people all around. Their facility is clean and new and everyone that trains there is really cool and helpful. I had been kind of apprehensive about starting a jiu jitsu program because some of the other academies out there are sort of intimidating and seem to have goals seperate from mine. I'm really impressed with how friendly and nurturing JJF is with the students and how the students are patient and helpful with me. The schedule works out perfectly for me as I work nights. They have classes that can fit anyone's schedule. Coming in for a class before work really helps me get ready for my day. When I first started, I felt pretty beat up after class but that is starting to go away the more I go. Being a surfer I felt I was in pretty good shape, but now I realize that wasn't true. I look forward to being able to participate more and achieving my goals at JJF. T.F. read more

Amazing instructors dedicated to the whole child and we have had nothing but positive experience there!! highly recommend this place LOVE IT Love their attitude, compassion, understanding, willingness to help and most of all the true genuine care that goes into the instruction, starting from Master Cadu, Master Gabi and the rest of the incredible dedicated staff!! We may try sports and lots of other things but will hopefully never stop bringing our son here, until he decides different. we are hoping for a long term relationship and have already been there 2yrs!! read more

If I could give this place 10 stars- I would! My son joined JJ Foundation almost two years ago and I am beyond pleased and happy that we chose this place. Master Cadu, master Gabbi, coach Kim, coach Nick are family! Highly professional, kind, accommodative and most importantly they are so good with kids! Not only they teach Jiu Jitsu, they also teach the kids how to be kind, respectful, hard working, fair and responsible human beings! Look no further! This is the place you want your kids ( and not only kids, they have adult classes too) to learn the art of Jiu Jitsu. read more

The Jiu Jitsu Foundation was literally the first martial arts academy I committed to from the various dojos/gyms sprawled out over San Diego County. Cadu and Gaby are very committed to excellence from each of their students and its seen through their consistency and dedication along with passion for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Carlos "Cadu" Francis is very honed in when it comes to teaching even to the finest detail and his wife Gabi, is the perfect compliment with her style of instruction and her vast fitness knowledge. San Diego is a great hub for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Every studio seems to have the same elements when it comes to the amenities, competition levels, and training. What sets JJF apart from the rest is the camaraderie, enthusiasm and upbeat family vibe you will feel immediately as soon as you step onto that mat, whether your a day one white belt or a accomplished black belt. OSSS! read more

I have no words to express how happy I am for signing up my kids at JJF. They are more than just a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu academy, they are educators who will teach your kids about discipline, patience, gratitude, respect, attention, and more important of it all, you and your kids will be treated like family. Everyone there is just simply amazing! No words to express my gratitude to Master Gabi and Cadu! read more

This place is great for kids. My son has been enrolled here for 7 years and comes 3 days a week. All the kids and staff are very inclusive and make sure everyone feels welcome. The training program offers great excersize for the kids. The school has a black belt program that challenges the kids to to consider and practice their actions and behaviors outside of the training class ( things like healthy eating, community activism, excersize, education) Carlos and Gabriella are a husband and wife team with 2 children of thier own that operate this program but all the instructors also have their children enrolled. I would reccomend this place with 100 stars if I could. read more

My son has been going to JJF for about 2 months now and he absolutely loves it! He has always been shy and we wanted to give him an opportunity to learn confidence, self discipline, and how to learn to protect himself from potential bullies. In such a short time we have noticed how much confidence he has gained and how enthusiastic he has become with the sport. Master Gabi, Master Cadu, and all of the staff are very sweet with the kids and very patient. They always make the class fun and the techniques are broken down so it is easy for the kids to understand and practice. We absolutely love the ideologies of helping at home, being good at school, and always working hard. These are principles that I know my son will carry with him anywhere he goes. Amazing school to be in!!!!!! read more

Jiu Jitsu Foundation is amazing! My six year old daughter recently started in their kids program and I am very pleased so far. Master Gabi is one of the best instructors/teachers/coaches I have come into contact with over the past four years that I've been enrolling my daughter in extra curricular activities. Master Gabi is warm-hearted, encouraging, fun, and gives the kids clear and concise instruction. She never misses a beat! Coach Kim is also wonderful and helpful and super knowledgeable and kind. Coach Nick is great too. I definitely recommend JJF! read more

My brother is a wrestler from Valhalla and once the season was over my dad wanted to put him in jiujitsu. I looked on google for jiu jitsu programs and I found Jiu Jitsu Foundation ! It had the most stars so my dad took my brother and he loved it and my dad as well. Everyone there is like family and extremely nice! Everyone is willing to help you if you don't under stand a move, its amazing ! Master Cadu and Master Gaby are really AMAZING instructors, they care about you and want you to succeed whether it's doing a competition or simply wanting to learn self defense. We enjoyed the environment of the foundation so much my dad & I joined !! I highly recommend the Jiu Jitsu Foundation read more

The jiu jitsu foundation has amazing instructors that not only teach martial art skills, but life lessons as well. They handle all the students with such patience and care. It's clear they truly care about everyone that walks in. read more

My daughter has been attending jiu jitsu foundation for about six months. There has never been a dull moment. When she first started everyone was extremely welcoming and patient. Master Gabi and Master Cadu hold the classes with structure, fun and patience with each and every child. My daughter has gained confidence in herself as well as formed another level of respect towards others. Thank you jiu jitsu foundation for everything you do for our future generations! read more

I've been watching UFC for nearly twenty years since the Gracies changed how the world saw martial arts. I'd wanted for years to train, but concerns about money had always held me back. Finally I just went ahead and took the plunge, and it was one of the best choices I've ever made. I knew that I was getting something special when I saw that the instructors Cadu and Gabi were the real deal, actual Brazilian black-belts. I had no idea just how good they were. The endless depth of their knowledge was one thing, but the fact is they are simply natural teachers who communicate effortlessly what you need to know in order to do better. They will have you doing things you didn't know were possible in a short period of time. They will see you if you're doing something wrong and help you do it right. They will give you the absolute best advice for you, not just generalized tips. Cadu kept telling me that I needed to moderate my energy output during sparring, but I didn't listen well enough and sure enough I injured my shoulders. He had known what was coming and warned me, so the responsibility was mine. And yet he also guided me along as I rehabilitated my shoulders, found substitute activities for things that were too painful, and never ever made me feel bad about being able to do less. That demonstrates real maturity and wisdom. Cadu and Gabi are very warm and personable people. You will see pictures of them on the walls with world champions, but they make everybody feel like a champion. Anybody who walks through their doors will feel respected. They know that anybody who comes there wants something more in life, and that's good enough for them. They also throw parties and barbecues, and love to see not only you but your family come. They really loved seeing my toddler son come by (and here's hoping they have a toddler of their own soon, heh). They also like to meet up at a local bar for UFC broadcasts, pool and ping pong. Others have noted that having Gabi as an instructor really allows Jiu Jitsu Foundation to be a universal school. All ages are welcome, male and female. Female mixed martial arts are really on the rise, and most female jiu jitsu practitioners look pretty fantastic. Go Ronda Rousey! I'm somebody who can't really get to the gym or run miles every day. I get bored, I fall out of my routine. Jiu jitsu got me excited about fitness, and I attended religiously. The thing is, I was always interested in what I was doing. I was learning new techniques, and sparring, and finding my weaknesses, pushing my boundaries, and every day I didn't go I knew I was sliding backwards. The rewards for going are endless. The reason it takes eight to ten years to get a black belt? Because that's how long it takes to learn what they know. And yet they are not finished learning either. It's a lifelong pursuit. It's frankly devastating to me that I have to move away from San Diego and stop attending. Finally, I want to address how Cadu and Gabi do business. I had a very bad experience with my step-daughter attending American Kenpo Karate on University Ave., as they were relentless nickel-and-dimers. They charged huge amounts for testing and required 90 days warning to terminate a contract. That's right, if you quit, you keep paying for three more months, for nothing. That's absolutely not how Cadu operates. I don't want to spoil some of the free things he gave me, but he definitely enticed me into joining with some sweet rewards, including plenty of time. When I started coming more often Cadu mentioned that it would cost some more, but he let it slide for quite awhile. I took six weeks off for an injury, and then came back for only twice a week, and he ended up never charging me that extra amount. When I announced that I had to leave San Diego and asked him not to charge me for next month, he said no problem. THAT is how you do business. The people and Kenpo Karate felt entitled to my money even when they weren't teaching my step-daughter. Cadu is somebody so accomplished and proficient that he deserved every cent I paid him and much more, and yet he never pushed the issue. He's a much smarter businessman that way. You can try to squeeze extra bucks out of people, but in the long run it comes back to bite you. Cadu believes in investing in his students and reaping the rewards long-term. Jiu jitsu is the greatest martial art, and Jiu Jitsu Foundation is the perfect place to learn it. If I ever return to San Diego, there's nowhere else I'd want to go. If you just want to get fit, or if you're an aspiring fighter, it's all the same: this is the place you need to be. Good luck to Cadu, Gabi, and their school. May they teach as long as Master Gracie. read more

My son joined This JiuJitsu program more than one year ago. He has learned so much and benefited from so many aspects of this training. His instructors have been nothing but professional and helped him to be more confident and assertive. read more

I dropped in to take a class so I could get a feel for the school. My experience was great. I found a great bunch of highly skilled guys who were very friendly and inviting. I was very impressed with the instructor, and the students. Everyone was very helpful and happy to have a visitor to train with. I highly recommend the Jiu Jitsu Foundation to anyone. Thanks for allowing me to train with you!!!! read more