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Learning jiu-jitsu in the San Fernando Valley
Burbank, Glendale, and the valley towns west of them hold a deep bench of academies. 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.
Open mats in San Fernando Valley
Rooms whose published schedule prints an open mat, each with the complete recorded summary of that schedule, its source and the date it was read. What an open mat is, and what a beginner does with one
- 10th Planet Burbank Adult classes morning, late morning, and evening: all levels Mon/Wed/Fri 6:30 AM and evenings, beginner and intermediate Tue to Thu 11 AM, dedicated beginner classes Tue and Thu 8 PM, open mat Sunday noon source · 2026-09-01
- Forge Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy Adult classes at 6 AM Monday to Thursday and at noon and 6:30 PM Monday to Friday, with gi and no-gi varying by session, with open mat weeknights at 8 PM and Sunday noon, and kids at 5:30 PM source · 2026-09-01
- Renzo Gracie Evolution Gi fundamentals Mon and Wed at 7 AM; noon BJJ Mon–Thu (gi Mon/Wed, no-gi Tue/Thu); evening gi Tue/Thu 7:30 PM; Saturday no-gi at 10 AM. Friday noon gi and Saturday BJJ open mat at 11:30 AM appear in the schedule's list but not its grid; confirm those sessions source · 2026-09-23
A schedule is what the page printed on the day it was read. The academy's card carries the visitor and price facts recorded for it; where admission to an open mat, or its cost, is not published, ask the academy.
Map
Every academy with a full entry is pinned on the map, and neighborhood-level pins say so. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
10th Planet Burbank
Who this academy suits
A beginner who wants a class with beginners in it: named beginner classes twice a week plus a free trial
Why we say it: The published schedule lists dedicated beginner classes Tue/Thu 8 PM and beginner/intermediate Tue-Thu 11 AM (verified 2026-07-14), and the rebuilt site prints a free trial (re-read 2026-09-04)
A family on the Burbank side: age-banded kids jiu jitsu and Muay Thai every weekday afternoon before the adult evening classes
Why we say it: The published schedule runs three kids tracks weekday afternoons and Saturday morning, with adult classes following in the evening (verified 2026-07-14)
Schedule verified Franchise networkFree trialNo-giKids classesDaily beginner classes
Your first visit
- Trial
- A free trial, printed as free on the rebuilt site and requested through a Wodify lead form or by phone source · 2026-09-04
- Class schedule
- Adult classes morning, late morning, and evening: all levels Mon/Wed/Fri 6:30 AM and evenings, beginner and intermediate Tue to Thu 11 AM, dedicated beginner classes Tue and Thu 8 PM, open mat Sunday noon source · 2026-09-01
Classes and cost
- Programs
- Kids tracks by age (4-6 and up) weekday afternoons and Saturday morning, in jiu jitsu and Muay Thai source · 2026-07-14
- Programs
- A no-gi school: the 10th Planet system trains without the gi source · 2026-07-14
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 4130 W Burbank Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505 source · 2026-07-14
- Instructors
- Jared Carlsten, introduced on the school's own site as a 3rd degree 10th Planet black belt source · 2026-07-14
Forge Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy
Who this academy suits
A beginner who wants both trust signals up front: a free class to try and every price published, with no sign-up fee
Why we say it: The academy publishes both a free class and a full pricing page with no sign-up fee (verified 2026-07-14)
A trainer who wants mat time at any hour: 6 AM, noon, and evening classes plus open mat five weeknights and Sunday
Why we say it: The June 2026 schedule runs adult classes at 6 AM Monday to Thursday and at noon and 6:30 PM Monday to Friday, with open mat five nights plus Sunday (verified 2026-07-14)
Schedule verified Free trialPricing publishedNo-giKids classesDaily beginner classes
Your first visit
- Trial
- One free class to decide, booked by phone or email source · 2026-09-23
- Class schedule
- Adult classes at 6 AM Monday to Thursday and at noon and 6:30 PM Monday to Friday, with gi and no-gi varying by session, with open mat weeknights at 8 PM and Sunday noon, and kids at 5:30 PM source · 2026-09-01
Classes and cost
- Membership
- Adults $175 a month unlimited (gi and no-gi), kids $135 a month, with no sign-up fee source · 2026-09-23
- Programs
- Kids classes (4-6 and 7+) weekday afternoons at 5:30 PM source · 2026-07-14
- Programs
- Both gi and no-gi are offered each week; the format varies by session source · 2026-07-14
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 7900 Balboa Blvd, Delta #4, Van Nuys, CA 91406 source · 2026-07-14
Gracie Barra Glendale
Who this academy suits
A first-timer who wants more than one class to decide: the school offers the whole first week free
Why we say it: The school's own page states the first week is free, and the July 6 schedule runs GB1 fundamentals every day (verified 2026-07-14)
An early riser or lunchtime trainer: 6 AM classes three days a week and noon classes five days a week
Why we say it: The schedule lists 6 AM classes Monday and Wednesday plus Friday no-gi, and noon classes five days a week (verified 2026-09-02)
Schedule verified Franchise networkFree trialStructured curriculumKids classes
Your first visit
- Trial
- The whole first week is free; sign up through the school's site or by phone source · 2026-09-03
- Class schedule
- Adult fundamentals (GB1) at 6 AM Mon/Wed, noon Mon/Tue/Thu, weekend mornings and weekday evenings; no-gi Friday 6 AM and Wed/Fri noon; advanced (GB2) evenings; kids weekday afternoons and Saturday morning source · 2026-09-02
Classes and cost
- Programs
- Kids (5-6) and Juniors (7-12) programs weekday afternoons and Saturday morning source · 2026-07-14
- Programs
- Gi-based training with fixed no-gi blocks four or more times a week source · 2026-07-14
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 406 E Colorado St, Glendale, CA 91205 source · 2026-07-14
- Instructors
- Robert Hill, introduced on the school's own page as the founder who received his black belt in 2011 source · 2026-07-14
Jean Jacques Machado Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy
Who this academy suits
A visitor who plans ahead: this mat is appointment-only, a single class costs $100, and you bring your own gi
Why we say it: The drop-in page states email-appointment-only visits, no loaner gis, and a $100 single-class rate (verified 2026-07-14)
A daytime trainer in the West Valley: noon classes five days a week on the founder's own mat
Why we say it: The published schedule runs adult classes at noon five days a week, and his own page states he teaches full time here (verified 2026-07-14)
Schedule verified Structured curriculumPricing publishedKids classes
Your first visit
- Trial
- No walk-ins: drop-ins are arranged by email, visitors bring their own gi and rash guard, and a single class is $100 source · 2026-09-03
- Class schedule
- Adult classes at noon five days a week and 6 PM most evenings; no-gi Tuesday and Thursday noon; fundamentals Wednesday 6 PM; youth Tue/Wed 5 PM and Saturday morning source · 2026-09-01
Classes and cost
- Membership
- Adults from $350 a month on a 12-month contract plus $70 registration; no-contract $599 a month; drop-ins $100 by appointment source · 2026-09-03
- Programs
- Youth classes (7-12) Tuesday and Wednesday 5 PM and Saturday 10 AM source · 2026-07-14
- Programs
- Gi-based training with no-gi blocks Tuesday and Thursday noon source · 2026-07-14
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 20951 Burbank Blvd, Suite A, Woodland Hills, CA 91367 source · 2026-07-14
- Instructors
- Jean Jacques Machado teaches full time, introduced on his own page as an 8th degree coral belt source · 2026-07-14
Renzo Gracie Evolution
Who this academy suits
A beginner who wants a free first class and month-to-month pricing published up front, with no contract to escape
Why we say it: The site publishes both the free first class and a full memberships page with month-to-month terms (verified 2026-07-14)
An early riser or lunch-hour trainer: gi fundamentals at 7 AM twice a week and noon classes Monday to Thursday, with Friday's listed class requiring confirmation
Why we say it: The published schedule runs fundamentals Mon/Wed 7 AM and noon classes Monday to Thursday, with Friday's listed class requiring confirmation (verified 2026-07-14)
Schedule verified Free trialPricing publishedNo-giDaily beginner classes
Your first visit
- Trial
- The first class is free with no commitment, booked through the site or by phone source · 2026-09-24
- Class schedule
- Gi fundamentals Mon and Wed at 7 AM; noon BJJ Mon–Thu (gi Mon/Wed, no-gi Tue/Thu); evening gi Tue/Thu 7:30 PM; Saturday no-gi at 10 AM. Friday noon gi and Saturday BJJ open mat at 11:30 AM appear in the schedule's list but not its grid; confirm those sessions source · 2026-09-23
Classes and cost
- Membership
- Adults $179 a month unlimited or $100 a month for one day a week, month to month with no long-term contract; the two-days-a-week option is printed as «$149 /class, No commitment - Pay per class»; kids and teens (4-15) unlimited $149 a month on a plan whose programme list names Hapkido source · 2026-09-06
- Programs
- Both gi and no-gi weekly, with Muay Thai and Hapkido programs under the same roof source · 2026-07-14
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 9745 Independence Ave, Chatsworth, CA 91311 source · 2026-07-14
- Instructors
- BJJ classes are led by Prof. Alex, a black belt; his surname is not published on the site source · 2026-07-14
Valley Martial Arts Center (VMAC)
Who this academy suits
A beginner who wants the numbers before walking in: the start-up fee and drop-in rate are published and the first class is free, though the monthly fee is now ask-by-email
Why we say it: The published fees page lists a $50 start-up fee, a free first class and $35 drop-ins; the monthly rate is no longer printed (re-read 2026-09-03)
A Sherman Oaks family: kids classes six days a week including Sunday, adults in the same building, one published fee sheet
Why we say it: The published schedule runs kids classes six days a week alongside the adult program, with every fee on one page (verified 2026-07-14)
Schedule verified Franchise networkFree trialPricing publishedKids classes
Your first visit
- Trial
- First class free; after that, drop-ins are $35 a class, and visitors are welcome source · 2026-09-03
- Class schedule
- Adult jiu-jitsu Mon/Wed/Fri 7 PM, Tue/Thu noon and 8 PM, Saturday 12:30 PM; kids (6-14) Tue/Thu afternoons plus weekend classes source · 2026-09-01
Classes and cost
- Membership
- The fees page no longer prints monthly rates; ask by email or phone. A $50 start-up fee, first class free and $35 per class after it; family and multi-class rates on request source · 2026-09-03
- Programs
- Kids jiu-jitsu (6-14) six days a week including Sunday source · 2026-07-14
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 4635 Van Nuys Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 source · 2026-07-14
- Instructors
- Co-owner Jon Budd, described on the JJM association's page as a BJJ black belt under Jean Jacques Machado source · 2026-07-14
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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10th Planet Jiu Jitsu Van Nuys · Official site16525 Sherman Way, Ste C-9, Van Nuys, CA 91406 · (818) 928-3147 · Alder Hampel, named on the school's own siteLast checked: 2026-07-14
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Academy of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu · Official site9820 Topanga Canyon Blvd, Ste M, Chatsworth, CA 91311 · 818-341-5000 · Todd Nathanson, introduced on the school's own page as a 6th degree black beltLast checked: 2026-07-14
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Alliance Jiu Jitsu San Fernando Valley · Official site9700 Woodman Ave, Suite 07, Arleta, CA · (818) 472-5070Last checked: 2026-07-14
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BAZA Jiu-Jitsu · Official site10708 Burbank Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91601 · (747) 216-3333 · Professor Mateus Rodrigues, named on the school's own siteLast checked: 2026-07-14
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Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Club · Official site14454 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423 · (818) 981-1617 · Chris Lisciandro, introduced on the school's own site as a 5th degree black beltLast checked: 2026-07-14
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FightWorks HQ · Official site9054 Tampa Ave, Northridge (Los Angeles), CA 91324 · 818-930-0083 · Founded by black belts Gloria Kevorkian and Erika Aeschliman, with Jorge Bonilla (black belt) as head jiu jitsu instructor, per the school's own coaches page · The first class is free, no experience needed, booked through the site or by phoneLast checked: 2026-09-03
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Gracie Barra Northridge · Official site19520 Nordhoff St Unit 10, Northridge, CA 91324 · (818) 357-4074 · Romulo Barral, introduced on the school's own page as a fifth-degree black belt and 10x world champion · Book a free trial through the site's booking widget or by phoneLast checked: 2026-09-04
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Gracie Barra Studio City · Official site12323 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604 · (818) 867-8913 · Fabio Trindade, named on the school's academy pageLast checked: 2026-07-14
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Gracie Barra Tarzana · Official site18065 Ventura Blvd, Encino, CA 91316Last checked: 2026-07-14
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Legacy Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Burbank · Official site330 N Victory Blvd, Burbank, CA 91502 · 818-300-5884 · Alberto Crane, founder and owner, per the school's own siteLast checked: 2026-07-14
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Legacy Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Glendale · Official site705 S Brand Blvd, Glendale, CA 91204 · 818-395-0739Last checked: 2026-07-14
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Level Up Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Studio City · Official site11288 Ventura Blvd, Unit A, Studio City, CA 91604 · (818) 854-5507 · Erik Klinger, the network's founder, per the school's own siteLast checked: 2026-07-14
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Level Up Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Woodland Hills · Official site19952 Ventura Blvd, Woodland Hills, CA 91364 · (818) 854-5527 · Erik Klinger, the network's founder, per the school's own siteLast checked: 2026-07-14
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MatSpace · Official site10432 Burbank Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91601 · (818) 233-0023Last checked: 2026-07-14
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New Ground Jiu Jitsu · Official site4617 Van Nuys Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 · (818) 538-4989 · Mike Frausto, introduced on the school's own site as a 10th Planet black beltLast checked: 2026-07-14
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Phenom Brazilian Jiu Jitsu · Official site15230 San Fernando Mission Blvd B104, Mission Hills, CA 91345 · (818) 365-0999 · Book a trial session through the site; the contact page now calls it a free trialLast checked: 2026-09-04
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Subconscious Brazilian Jiu Jitsu · Official site5213 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91601 · (818) 802-5489Last checked: 2026-07-14
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Tao of Jiu Jitsu
Frequently asked questions
Which academies in the San Fernando Valley offer a free trial?
10th Planet Burbank: A free trial, printed as free on the rebuilt site and requested through a Wodify lead form or by phone; Forge Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy: One free class to decide, booked by phone or email; Gracie Barra Glendale: The whole first week is free; sign up through the school's site or by phone; Renzo Gracie Evolution: The first class is free with no commitment, booked through the site or by phone; Valley Martial Arts Center (VMAC): First class free; after that, drop-ins are $35 a class, and visitors are welcome
How do I book a trial class?
It differs by academy. Where we could verify the booking method, it is listed under "Your first visit" in that academy's entry; otherwise, asking through the academy's official channel is the most reliable route.
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.