Gracie Jiu-jitsu Huntington Beach

great environment good people lots of learning definitely recommend stopping by

Carlos is an amazing and patient instructor. I have learned so much in the last 2 months. I can't recommend him enough. I have seen first hand the confidence this gives a person, especially children.

I have been training here for several years and cannot recommend it enough. Carlos is an excellent instructor who can work with folks of all ages and all focus types. From children to adults, from hobbyists to serious practitioners. I drive to Huntington Beach specifically train at this gym despite the fact that there are many other gyms and affiliations that are more convenient for my schedule.

Not all Jiu Jitsu studios, even with the name "Gracie" in them are created the same. "Gracie Jiu Jitsu", from Grandmaster Helio Gracie focuses on the true art of self defense, and being able to defend, then defeat a bigger, stronger, more athletic opponent in REAL life situations, not in a competition/tournament setting...but you will still win in a tournament, if you chose to compete, with the added bonus of also being able to protect yourself against someone not in your "weight division" in real life. Other Jiu Jitsu studios train for tournaments, which is not bad, if that is all you want it for. We left "GB" after seeing the lack of self defense and sport jiu jitsu focus. "Gracie Jiu Jitsu" has the "Bully proof" program for kids, teaching self discipline, avoiding conflicts, while building confidence and skills to physically defend when needed. The kids program is tailored to teach this without excess force against "the bully". Beginner adult class is the "Combatives" program, based off of years of stats of real world street fights. (Kids can join Combatives around age 13, I think).Once this program is completed, you qualify for a blue belt, and off to Jiu jitsu vs. Jiu jitsu stuff, along with advanced fighting techniques.
Master Carlos is great, and has a gift for teaching kids, and adults.(He probably won't say, but he is a mutiple degree blackbelt in 2 or 3 other martial arts!).It is rare to see a head instructor roll with each kid to make sure they are doing the techniques correctly, and making sure no one gets hurt. He also teaches all of his students the same mind set, so the training environment is nothing but fun, even the KIDS take pride in helping each other learn the moves correctly without a competition mindset!! The adult class is just the same, fun, relaxing, full of learning and a great workout.
In addition to the HUGE diffrence in this true self defense studio vs. Sport Jiu jitsu, Master Carlos (head instructor) and his daughter Selenia make this place very welcoming and comfortable to learn a new art form in, begining with the motto on the floor mat-
Leave your Ego at the door 😂. Once my boys began training in the kids program here, and seeing the difference between "Gracie Jiu jitsu" , along with Master Carlos' patient instruction compared to other studios, we were hooked. Now it's a family affair, all of us now train. The only Con, he's not open 24/7 so I can train more!!

I highly recommend Master Carlos Leal and his team of instructors. They are all absolutely great with kids of all ages/temperaments/demeanors/etc. They teach discipline and show the kids how respect is earned by being respectful to them.

Both of my kids attend training here and love it and I take part in the Gracie Combatives program and can't get enough.

Two thumbs up!