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Learning jiu-jitsu in Downtown LA and the Eastside
Downtown, Echo Park, and the Eastside train hard, with 10th Planet's headquarters at the center. For someone just starting, the real question is not "which academy is best" but "which one fits me." This guide exists to answer that question.
Map
Only academies with verified information appear on the map. Grey pins mark verified addresses for academies still being confirmed.
10th Planet Jiu Jitsu Headquarters (Downtown LA)
Who this academy suits
A beginner who wants no-gi from day one at the system's source, with a stated beginner track of 19 weekly classes and a buyable drop-in pass
Why we say it: The network's own page states the 19-class weekly beginner track, and its shop sells drop-in passes at published prices (verified 2026-07-14)
A visitor or student who wants to train where the founder of the system still teaches
Why we say it: The network's own page states Eddie Bravo teaches six weekly advanced classes at this room (verified 2026-07-14)
Schedule verified Franchise networkNo-giDaily beginner classes
Your first visit
- Free trial
- No free trial is published; visitors buy a drop-in pass from the network's own shop ($40 to $220 for a day, week, or month); the Sunday members-only class is excluded
- Class schedule
- The network's page states 19 weekly classes for newer students (fundamentals, mixed level, and combat jiu jitsu) plus advanced no-gi classes, six of them taught by Eddie Bravo; no day-by-day timetable is published, so confirm times by phone or email
Classes and cost
- Programs
- A no-gi school: the 10th Planet system trains without the gi
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 1314 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90015
- Instructors
- Eddie Bravo, founder of the 10th Planet system, a 3rd degree black belt under Jean Jacques Machado per the network's page, still teaching six weekly advanced classes here
Boyle Heights Jiu Jitsu (BHJJ)
Who this academy suits
A beginner for whom cost is the barrier: a self-described non-profit room with a free trial class
Why we say it: The org's own pages describe a non-profit school open regardless of ability to pay, and the free trial signup is published (verified 2026-07-14)
A Boyle Heights family: pee wees at 5, kids at 6, adults and teens at 7, on the same weekday evenings
Why we say it: The published timetable stacks the three age bands on the same weekday evenings (verified 2026-07-14 from the school's own schedule images)
Schedule verified Free trialKids classes
Your first visit
- Free trial
- Sign up for a free trial class on the school's site; the page states it is currently accepting new students
- Class schedule
- Adults and teens train Mon to Fri at 7 PM (Tuesday is the fundamentals and beginners class, Thursday is no-gi); kids at 6 PM and pee wees Mon, Wed, Fri at 5 PM; no Saturday classes listed
Classes and cost
- Programs
- Pee wees (5 to 7) and kids (8 to 12) run on separate weekday evening slots
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 2420 E Cesar Chavez Ave, Unit B102, Los Angeles, CA 90033
Frogtown Jiu-Jitsu
Who this academy suits
A brand-new beginner who wants a leveled curriculum with a free first class and a named class to start in
Why we say it: The school books a free class online and points first-timers to specific Level 1 slots on its published leveled timetable (verified 2026-07-14)
An Eastside student who wants both gi and no-gi in one program, mornings or evenings
Why we say it: The published timetable runs gi and no-gi at every level, with 7 AM starts four days a week and Mon/Wed/Fri noon classes (verified 2026-07-14)
Schedule verified Free trialStructured curriculumNo-giKids classes
Your first visit
- Free trial
- Book a free class online; the school tells brand-new students to start in a Level 1 class
- Class schedule
- A leveled program: Level 1 beginner classes run Mon 7 AM and 7 PM, Tue and Thu 6 PM no-gi, Wed 6 PM, and Sat 10 AM no-gi, with kids weekday afternoons and four weekly open mats
Classes and cost
- Programs
- Age-banded kids gi classes weekday afternoons, from age 3
- Programs
- Gi and no-gi classes at every level
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 1803 Blake Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90039
- Instructors
- Paul Schreiner, head instructor per the school's about page, with a listed staff including Dominyka Obelenyte
Academies being verified
We are re-confirming the essentials: class schedules and trial mechanics. Each academy joins the full guide once its facts meet the bar.
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Gomez Jiu-Jitsu · Official site120 E 8th St Suite 401, Los Angeles, CA 90014 (the suite has moved within the building before; confirm on arrival) · 323-412-0863 · Carlos Gomez, founder, per the school's siteLast checked: 2026-07-14
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Highland Park Fight Club (HLPFC) · Official site5809 N Figueroa St, 2nd Floor, Los Angeles, CA · 213-719-8664Last checked: 2026-07-14
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MMA District · Official site1205 N Main St, Los Angeles, CA (the entrance is through the gate on Elmyra St) · (323) 990-4494, text preferred · Trial classes are arranged by text or the contact form, per the gym's siteLast checked: 2026-07-14
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Renzo Gracie Los Angeles · Official site5203 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027 · 323-310-4280Last checked: 2026-07-14
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UACTP · Official site2200 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90057 · 213-352-4042Last checked: 2026-07-14
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Won Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu · Official siteLast checked: 2026-07-14
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echo-park-jiu-jitsu · Official siteLast checked: 2026-07-14
I'm a complete beginner. Can I just show up?
It differs by academy. Entries show where a fundamentals program and first-visit process are verified. For the rest, check with the academy before visiting. For what a first class actually feels like, see the beginner posts on our blog.