No Experience Required
Start BJJ From
Zero.
Kaizen Academy is built for beginners. No fitness level required. No equipment needed for your first visit. No feeling of being thrown in the deep end.
Welcome
You're in the Right Place
If you've never trained Brazilian Jiu Jitsu before, Kaizen Academy in Venice, CA is the perfect place to start. Our beginner BJJ classes are built for people with zero experience — and our entire culture is designed to make your first class feel like a welcome, not a trial by fire.
We've trained students who had never worked out a day in their life. We've trained parents, professionals, kids, retirees, former athletes, and people who thought they were "too old" or "too out of shape." Every single one of them says the same thing after their first class: I wish I'd started sooner.
Your first class at Kaizen Academy is always free. No equipment needed. No commitment. Just come in and try it.
Why Beginners Thrive Here
Built for Day One
Structured Curriculum
Every class follows a clear plan. You'll always know what technique is being taught and why it matters. Nothing is assumed, nothing is skipped.
Black Belt Every Class
You learn from the best from day one. Every class at Kaizen Academy is led by a black belt who knows how to break down complex techniques into steps anyone can follow.
Small Class Sizes
Capped at 15 students so your instructor can actually see what you're doing and correct it in real time — not just shout from across a crowded mat.
Supportive Partners
BJJ is humbling for everyone at first. Our students know this and treat new members the way they wish they'd been treated on their own first day.
A Clear Path Forward
You won't feel lost wondering what to do next. We guide you through the early stages with structure, consistency, and honest feedback.
Free Trial Always
Every new student gets a free class. No commitment, no equipment, no pressure. Come in, train, and decide from there.
Your First Class
What to Expect
Let the instructor know it's your first class. Wear athletic wear — shorts and a t-shirt are fine. No Gi needed for your first visit.
Group warm-up to get your body moving and introduce you to basic BJJ movements like shrimping and bridging.
The instructor demonstrates a technique step by step. You'll practice with a partner at a controlled, comfortable pace. No live sparring your first class.
Class ends with a cool down and open floor for questions. Ask anything — about technique, membership, scheduling, gear.
If you want to continue, we'll share membership info. No hard sell. Honest information so you can make the right call for yourself.
Adult & Kids Programs
Who Are
Our Beginners?
We've welcomed beginners aged 3 to 65+. There is no demographic that BJJ doesn't serve. Our programs split into Adults (18+) and Kids (ages 3–14) — with the kids program further grouped by age so your child is always with peers at the same level.
Beginner Progression
How Long Until You're
Not a Beginner?
Month 1–3
Learning the Language
Basic positions, fundamental escapes, the rules of the mat. Everything feels new. You tap a lot. This is normal — this is the process. The humbling is part of the point.
Month 3–6
The Click
Movements start feeling more natural. You recognize patterns. You stop reacting randomly and start thinking. Your cardio and fitness improve noticeably.
Month 6–12
Your Game Takes Shape
You have go-to positions, favourite submissions, and a sense of what you're building toward. Most students at this point earn their first belt stripe or two.
12+ Months
The Kaizen Path
You're a BJJ practitioner. There's always something to refine — that's what keeps people training for decades. The journey never really ends, and that's the best part.
What to Bring
Your First Class Kit
- Comfortable athletic wear — shorts and a t-shirt
- A water bottle
- Flip flops or sandals (worn on/off the mat)
- A mouthguard — recommended but not required for the trial
- An open mind
FAQ for Beginners
Quick Answers
The First Step Is the Hardest
Your First
Class Is Free.
No equipment. No experience. No commitment. Just come try it.
Book a Free Trial Class