the real deal elite knowledge, elite standards, and a genuine passion for making every student…read morebetter. The coaches and professors across the board are phenomenal: technical, patient, and deeply invested in your growth on and off the mats. If you want real BJJ, clean technique, intelligent training, and an environment that pushes you to improve every single day, this is it. Kaizen offers some of the best technical Jiu-Jitsu in South Pasadena, and honestly, one of the best schools in all of LA.

Jiujitsu Kaizen has been such a blessing for our family. It started with our son, then my husband…read morejoined, and finally me. The coaches are patient, encouraging, and really focus on discipline and respect. We've seen so much growth not just in skills but in confidence and character. It's more than just training--it's a community we're grateful to be part of. We definitely love learning from Coach Edwin, Coach Jason, and Coach David.

I've been training no-gi jiujitsu at Groundworks for a few months now, and I can confidently say…read morethat my experience with Coach Rich has been nothing short of phenomenal. From the moment I stepped into the academy, I felt welcomed and encouraged to push my limits. Coach Rich brings a unique blend of expertise, passion, and patience to every class. His deep understanding of jiujitsu techniques is evident in the way he breaks down complex moves into manageable steps, ensuring that even beginners like myself can grasp them effectively. He also goes above and beyond to provide personalized guidance and feedback, helping me refine my skills and reach my full potential. I can't recommend Coach Rich and Groundworks JJ Academy highly enough. P.S. I am writing this review as an adult practitioner in the adults program (not youth/kids)

Great folks! I dropped in while on a work trip and the instructors and students were all very…read morewelcoming. I was happy to get some unexpected training in and experience a different gym's teaching style.

Joseph, the owner and professor is great with kids and adults…read more He is passionate about his work and has a great sense of humor while still very serious about the art.

You'll almost always feel welcome here. Especially if you are a child, for example, a 12-year-old…read moregirl lost count of an exercise she was doing, and he snapped at her & asked if he needed to count for her! He will call the kids boy or girl rather than by their actual name to make them feel worse. He used the excuse that this is a rough sport to justify his abuse. He even laughed at a little boy who had accidentally gotten hurt and mocked his pain by saying, "Blood, sweat, & tears!" And he didn't even check to see if he was okay or tell his parents what happened to him, what if he got a bruise or god forbid was bleeding?! He views their failures as burdens for him rather than obstacles for them to overcome. And the curriculum is seemingly too random and doesn't focus enough on systems. He will sometimes pressure the good kids for no discernible reason; that makes no sense. So if you believe teachers shouldn't be held accountable but children should, then this place is for you! He couldn't even look me in the eye when he told me to trust his process, but he screams at a little boy to look at him when he is carelessly reprimanding him. He will use any excuse to scream at the kids instead of being more patient with them. My entire journey with him was boiling frog syndrome. All these kids he's tormenting with his childlike screaming and lies are gonna have broken brains, good job! It would be extremely helpful if he asked his students for feedback and found ways to improve his methods instead of losing his temper. He just drops random stuff on us and expects us to do it perfectly. He laughed when I misheard his instructions, and he enjoys humiliating his students in front of everyone and thinks it's good. He'd better get it right if he doesn't want his precious trophies to stop coming in. I have lost my temper here before I admit it. And maybe some kids who need to be pushed, everyone is different. But do you really want to take that risk with every kid? And yes, I overreacted when he posted an Instagram story where he joked about not turning on the a/c during a hot day of 2024. He also had this competition training technique, I think he called Red Alert, where if your opponent is being unfair and breaks your arm, he won't do anything about it. And the sweat test, which I previously mentioned. And as mentioned in my previous review, there was the 200 squats group punishment, but what I haven't mentioned about it was how he unnervingly laughed about the way the tears streamed down their face. That is a form of corporal punishment. And I can't abide that because it is immoral. He often lets the kids play a bit after class, and there was one time when a little boy was playing tag with his brother wasn't playing tag. And they acted like he hit him and threatened him 100 burpees if he did it again. Instead of hearing his side of the story and then Coach Nate mocked him for being scared of Coach Joseph. He has done kind things for them from time to time, but that's not going to cancel out all the harshness he has and still is inflicting on his students. Provoking hope amuses sadists. And I may have misunderstood Coach Martinez jokingly calling some kids liars. I also misjudged the capoeira/MMA coach; he is a good man who just has a really intense way of teaching. He used his dog to distract the students during one of the comp classes, and got mad at them for looking at her. It's an imbalanced power disparity. Then there is the matter of those martial arts camps he is a part of. The way he described them made it sound like he'll break the kid's spirits with pain to "help" them. Kids don't have the option to leave unless their parent(s) or guardians say otherwise. And he said, "We will do in a month what the parents won't dare do in a lifetime." Seems like he thinks he can raise them better. Hardly any kids will tell someone about this abuse since most kids don't do that. I should know, I've been there. They often don't know how to express themselves yet. He hates their innocence, and that fake smile and condescending laugh of his. He said no matter what I say about him, he won't hold it against me. All that talk of integrity, and this is how he acts. He called two young boys weak for having soccer practice every other week, something they can't control. He also mocked me in a direct message on Instagram for having a rough childhood and "taking it out on everyone!" Don't trust this man to respect physical boundaries either. He would often snatch away my headphones to check them out or caress me without my consent. He also forced us to ask a question, so I asked the first one that popped into my head. And it wasn't very good, and the next day he said he had a new rule. Where every question will go through him first before asking a guest coach. "Because some of you have been asking some really stupid questions." He says. That's a wonderful way to talk about your autistic pupil. He also gaslights a lot.

Roger Machado is a rare expert from the original Gracie Baja gym. Learning from him these past two…read moreyears has been a privilege. Master Machado emphasizes safety, technique, and moves that work. For both hobbyists and competitors, you'll find your niche here. It is rare to be able to learn directly from someone like Master Machado and he is a great teacher.

Best of the best and nothing but class is how I would describe Professor Roger Machado and all of…read morehis brothers. With training, it's his attention to the tiny details and his explanations of difficult concepts broken into digestible pieces are what helped me and meeting lifelong friends on the Professor's mats was an added bonus. Thank you Professor for being part of my BJJ path and for all the lessons on and off the mats. You are one of my role models. And thank you to all my rolling partners who've shared generously just like Professor continues to lead by example.

We continue to have an amazing experience with our kids' jiu jitsu program. The staff is incredibly…read morefriendly, attentive, and truly great with the kids. We've seen so much growth in our child--not just in skill, but in confidence and discipline as well. Highly recommend to any parent looking for a supportive and positive environment!

Before joining Silanoe, I had tried out 3 other gyms and while those other gyms were good, Silanoe…read morereally stood out because EVERYONE here is super awesome. From the office manager to all the different coaches and even to the other students, everyone cares about your learning. First off, the coaches - I can't say enough good things about the coaches here. When I had tried the other gyms, their coaches would throw out terminology as if everyone automatically knew what they were talking about. And then they would proceed to show the moves and simply tell you what to do. The coaches at Silanoe take the time to explain the terminology as well as WHY you should do each move the way they're taught so that you're not only learning the moves, you're also understanding them. They are also extremely patient so I never feel hesitant to ask questions. Next up we have the office manager. I always feel welcomed when I walk into the office because I'm always greeted with a lovely smile and all my questions are always answered with that same smile. When I have questions and am not on location, I simply send an email and I'd get a response almost immediately. I truly feel taken care of. Then there's the other students, which makes up a large part of the overall experience. All of the students here are friendly and very approachable and nobody here has an ego. The students treat each other with much respect and nobody is out to prove anything. We are all here for each others' learning and we have fun. Finally, there's professor Gino himself. Professor Gino is the nicest and most down to earth instructor you'll ever meet. You can tell he truly cares about the students and community he has built. From the moment I stepped foot on his mat, I felt very welcomed and never once felt intimidated. I did not get such a feeling from some of the other gyms I tried. Silanoe is awesome!!

Gracie Jiu Jitsu Pasadena exceeded all my expectations…read more Training has genuinely changed the way I see myself--building not just physical skills, but confidence and resilience that carry over into everyday life. One of the most meaningful parts of the experience has been the community. I've met incredible people here, and some have become my closest friends who support and motivate me both on and off the mats. The instructors are truly exceptional. They treat every student with respect, patience, and genuine care, regardless of experience level. You never feel out of place or overlooked--everyone is supported and nurtured every step of the way on their jiu jitsu journey. GJJP has shown me that jiu jitsu really is for everyone, and I'm so grateful I took that first step to walk through the door.

Such an amazing space and community of people! Learn so much just in the seminar class alone…read more Instructors were amazing!

Been coming here 4 years and it feels like my home away from home. They are welcoming from day one…read moreand the coaches are high level. The owner Savant was a top 10 featherweight in his prime and always pays close attention to each student. Coach Chris though is light work every time

I cannot stress how much I loved my time at Fight Academy Pasadena. I had been training for 5 years…read moreat different gyms (jiu jitsu) before finding Fight Academy and I stayed there for the last 2 years I was based in LA. EASILY the best training, community, vibes, and biggest improvement in my fitness and combat sports training was here. Savant leads an amazing team of coaches!

Alex and Sally run a really great school here. They've somehow come up with a way to cater to…read moreevery experience level and every type of practitioner. They have gi and no gi classes including fundamental classes for both for beginners and the advanced. I say advanced as well because they go over fundamentals but with incredible detail and nuance that even if you've been practicing for years (I'm a purple belt writing this), you're going to pick up details youve never seen before. they're like advanced fundamentals. I describe Alex as a Danaher-lite version. they have membership plans strictly for beginners and also advanced memberships where you can take leg lock classes, takedowns, and MMA classes all the classes taught are from a curriculum curated from Alex's decades of experience. every class builds on each other and it's amazing how much Alex can teach with so much detail. and of course the environment and people here are really friendly if you're hesitant just drop in for a trial class

Came into this with zero grappling experience. Alex and Sally have been a Godsend. Made my first…read morebeginner blueprint session fun and enjoyable. They instill confidence and ensure you're understanding everything being taught. Looking forward to my next lesson.

We've had such a positive experience with this academy and highly recommend it to any parent…read moreconsidering Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for their kids. What makes this place special is the culture the coaches have created -- it's encouraging, respectful and very warm. Coaches Edson, Ethan, and Tristan are outstanding with the kids. They are patient, attentive, and truly invested in every student's development. My child really looks forward to class because the coaches make it a fun environment. The academy teaches kids how to stay calm under pressure, work through difficult moments, and keep trying even when something feels hard. Those lessons carry far beyond the mats and will make a difference in the real world. Sometimes, we even have Professor Carrao teach the kids a move or two so it's a real treat! The instruction is excellent, the environment is positive, and the sense of community is amazing! This academy is doing a fantastic job developing strong, respectful, and confident kids while teaching high-level Jiu-Jitsu. We're incredibly grateful for this amazing academy!

Everyone there is accepting and accommodating. I have learned so much. And expect to learn so much…read moremore. The place is filled with good people. My daughter has been going for almost 5 years and I started a couple months ago.

Great and dedicated instructors that help with every step of the way from beginners to experience…read morestudents. Friendly and welcoming environment, and very happy with my daughter's experience.

My daughter joined Valor Jiu Jitsu on July 2nd, and we've been very impressed. The attention to…read moredetail during warm-ups and technique training is excellent. This place is great for kids who want to learn real skills and even compete in tournaments. The coach teaches the kids to be tough, focused, and disciplined. They don't just drill techniques--they actually practice applying them during sparring. Best of all, at the end of each class, the kids get some time to have fun, which helps keep things balanced and enjoyable. Highly recommend!