310 E Anaheim St, Long Beach, CA 90813
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Reviews from Jiu-Jitsu Blog members who have trained at Blue Collar Grappling - Jiu-Jitsu/Wrestling Academy. Member recommendations raise an academy's Jiu-Jitsu Blog Score.
Blue Collar Grappling is the best place for anyone looking to get into Grappling or Jiu Jitsu! I had very little experience in the sport, and was addicted instantly. The team is beyond supportive and the environment balances a focus on learning and team building while remaining fun and competitive every day. I am moving away from the long beach, which is especially sad because I know BGC is continuing to grow fast in skill and quality as well as a larger gym and team. Even though I am moving, BGC has given me a new hobby/passion that I will continue to train wherever I go.
It’s a great and welcoming place for anyone trying to get into grappling. Everyone is very helpful and friendly. I have learned a lot since joining and I look forward to improving my grappling.
Coach John has change my kids life so much. My boys are now more develop and outspoken. Coach John is excellent in training my children in self-defense and my son's bulling has decreased tremendously at school. Thank you Coach John for being such a great role model!
I'm really glad that I found this place 4 months ago,I been taking my two kids there and their learning from the best,Coach Jt is an awesome person .first and only coach for my kids
I highly recommend training here if you are in Long Beach. Amazing group of people, clean gym, and super welcoming to visitors.
Great academy with high quality instruction and a welcoming community. I brought my son here for the 5-7 year old kid's class because they're later in the evening, which worked better for mine and my wife's work schedules. They are 30 minutes and are three times a week. It's a reasonable time frame for that age group and Coach JT structures them very well. He uses a variety of strategies to help kids get different concepts down like turning guard passing into a keep-away game, having students practice subs on grapple dummies (a safety measure a lot of academies overlook), and gives kids brain breaks with games like tag or dodgeball. And for my fellow grappler dads: your kid will be drilling takedowns. Coach JT offers very competitive pricing, a beginner friendly environment, and solid instruction. My son enjoys it and I am thankful.
I recently attended a self-defense trial class with John, and I cannot say enough good things about the experience. As someone completely new to grappling and self-defense, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but John created such a safe and welcoming environment for us women to learn. From the very beginning, it was clear that he genuinely cares about empowering his students, especially those of us stepping into this world for the first time. John’s patience and attentiveness were incredible. He took the time to thoroughly explain each move, demonstrating not only how to do them but also why they’re effective in real-life situations. He never made anyone feel rushed or uncomfortable, even when we struggled to get the moves just right. Instead, he encouraged us, adjusted his teaching style to meet our needs, and made sure we truly understood each technique before moving on. This class has completely opened my eyes to the world of grappling and its many benefits. I now see how, with consistency and practice, grappling can be an invaluable skill—not just for physical self-defense but for building confidence as a woman. I feel so much more motivated to continue learning and practicing because of John’s expert guidance and supportive teaching style. Living in a world where women may need to defend themselves, I’m so grateful that John is offering these classes. His approach is empowering and respectful, and his dedication to teaching self-defense is inspiring. I can’t thank him enough for making this experience so positive and for showing me that grappling is not only practical but also something I’m excited to keep pursuing. If you’re a woman looking to build your confidence, learn effective self-defense, and be part of a supportive environment, I highly recommend checking out John’s classes. You won’t regret it!
This was a fantastic gym. I was welcomed with open arms everyone was super chill and easy to get along with. The coach was super solid we went over good techniques that are very applicable to the game. And the biggest tell, even the white belts were solid! They weren’t Agro they were very respectful and didn’t take any hard submissions or risky moves. That’s the sign of a solid gym, I’ve trained in 7 countries and 3 states and it’s always nice to find good people that want to grow and learn. I highly recommend training here.
He has great classes and a amazing person. He is very passionate about teaching and training
I have had my son attending for about 2 months now and I have to say, it has been nothing but beneficial for my 10 year old son Emiliano. He has come to show so much more confidence . Professor John Thomas is a great teacher. He makes good use of every minute in class and what makes him stand out is making sure to make sure nobody is taking advantage of anyone . He is very effective in making sure kids stay focused during their time in class. Glad me and my wife found this place. We are here to stay as long as the place stays open .
A good friend referred me to Coach JT and Blue Collar Grappling, LLC. I showed up for my free class and I was hooked. Coach JT has a solid program and he's a great teacher. The environment is really clean, focused and team oriented. Coach is patient, but he takes the martial art very seriously. You will definitely be challenged and pushed outside your comfort zone in a good way.
This school has been amazing for me and my son, this is his first organized thing he has ever tried. Coach JT is very knowledgeable in his craft and makes a complex art very easy and fun to grasp.
I highly recommend Blue Collar Grappling to anyone, any age, interested in learning Jiu-jitsu. Whether you're interested in pursuing it as a new hobby, to get in shape or you're planning on competing. The people are very welcoming and are NOT judgmental, in fact, everyone is encouraging and extremely helpful. The entire atmosphere is just positive, nothing but good vibes. I, myself, have only been going for a few months, but I was looking for a fun, challenging activity to help me lose weight, when I started Jiu-jitsu. Being almost 40 and heavier than I'd like to be , I was seriously dreading going. I felt ridiculous. No, that's wrong, I was just very insecure, but I'm so glad I worked passed my insecurities. The instructor is the best, hands down. He's VERY patient, encouraging and understanding. He's great in adjusting his teaching style to accommodate the different ways his students learn best and doesn't mind repeating demonstrations until he feels his students understand what to do, but above all he prioritizes SAFETY!!!!! His love for Jiu-jitsu shows in the way he teaches and because of that, he's classes are so much fun. Again, you can't go wrong or regret checking out Blue Collar Grappling.
Knowledgeable Coach and great atmosphere. JT is a super encouraging coach and gives 100% to all his students. This is a perfect gym for anyone starting out their grappling journey or who wants to learn more. Big emphasis on no-gi, wrestling and applying reliable, sound technique. Everyone I’ve met has been incredibly friendly and willing to teach me so much. JT has created an amazing gym with exceptional athletes that are hungry to grow.
Great coaches for the kids classes and the adult classes hands down
A safe place to practice and learn jujutsu, attentive head coach, well versed in different styles of jujutsu
Coach JT is one of the best professors I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. He was an undefeated professional BJJ competitor and has many tried and true methods that come from his real world application of the sport. He was also a wrestler and sambo practitioner and knows a lot of proven take downs for no gi and gi. He is a patient teacher and welcomes all levels of students from first timers to people re-entering the sport. He provides a safe place to learn and grow. On top of that he is a wonderful and delightful human being. I cannot say enough good things about him and his academy.
JT is an AMAZING mentor and professor! What influenced me to join his gym was his teaching etiquette as well as how he creates a sense of community and a sense of belonging for his students. I feel like I have learned years worth of curriculum in the first month that I have been attending his classes. He accommodates all levels (beginner to advance) and he prioritizes safety during training. Not to mention his gear Gi and Rash guards are so cool! I feel proud to be a student as well as ambassador of this amazing school that JT has created.
During my work trip to California in February, I needed a place to train and came across Blue Collar Grappling. What a find! JT, the owner and instructor, is outstanding. Despite my usual apprehension about trying new gyms, JT made my experience truly enjoyable. The gym's atmosphere and the team members are incredibly welcoming; they made me feel like part of the family even though I was just a visitor. An instructor can make or break a gym experience, and JT is the best. His instructions are clear and precise, and he dedicates time to ensure everyone is progressing. The gym itself is immaculate and well-maintained. It's evident that JT takes great pride in his gym, and it reflects in every aspect. Whether you're new to BJJ or looking to continue your journey, I highly recommend reaching out to JT at Blue Collar Grappling. You won't regret it. Thanks JT!
Blue Collar Grappling is hands down one of the best gyms in Long Beach. The atmosphere is friendly, welcoming, and positive, and the instruction is absolutely top-notch. I've known the instructor for 20 years, and his wealth of knowledge truly sets this gym apart. If you're looking for a fantastic place to train, look no further than Blue Collar Grappling.
Coach JT is a dedicated professional with a wealth of jiujitsu knowledge. He's been running monthly seminars working on footlocks, guard passing and front headlocks. He teaches in a way that makes it easy to implement the moves in rolling right away. I've even brought my 8 and 4 year old. They loved the classes. If you are near Long Beach or Signal Hill and looking for an intimate learning environment, this is the place for you!
My Jiujitsu journey started under Bluecollargrappling with Professor JT. If you live in the area , you definitely need to try a class. If I hadn’t moved out of state for my new job , I would absolutely still be training under him. He is an amazing coach with lots of heart and patience. He is very passionate about the sport and provides such a welcoming safe space to train. That’s very important to me as a female. He also has tons of wrestling experience under his belt (legit wrestler) and will teach you the best takedowns. I highly recommend him to anyone who wants to start training. Go and try a class, you will not regret it.
John is a great coach and very motivating. I am always excited to go in and train with John. He cares about the people he works with and always motivates me to do my best. I highly recommend!
John Thomas has over two decades of experience in wrestling, jiujitsu, boxing, wrestling, sambo and so much more. He has the knowledge, patience, and experience to achieve your goals in fitness, martial arts and overall life. He is great with kids and takes his time to teach you the technique and runs live drills to practice these techniques in real time. Give John Thomas, Blue Collar Grappling a try.
I signed my son up for Jiu Jitsu and he loved it. The coach is super attentive , knowledgeable and created a great atmosphere for the kids .
Jt has been my jiu jitsu coach for a very long time I am able to go up and hold my own against high level grapplers and jits players because of the teachings and knowledge from Jt. I highly recommend him to be your coach as well as your kid’s coach. You will not regret it
Great gym, great people, great coaching. Coach JT has created amazing environment where everyone can feel welcome and supported. He is always eager to share his wealth of knowledge. If you are ever in the area, stop by for an awesome experience
I've known this young man since he was a young adult . He has work hard to get wear he's at . Hard work is and what I've always preach . JOHN has implemented that into his work ethics. And he's now displaying that in his business and is on his way of open it up Something he has Dream of opeing his on commercial business. Congratulations.. So go and meet the man and see what he's Offering and learn how to really to choke a clown out. Just playing . Seriously he's ready to teach you the Appropriate techniques in Grappling 💯🏆
JT is very knowledgeable an experienced he provides great advice for personal training, and my children absolutely love his Jiu Jitsu classes! I am glad that he is a part of our lives!
Coach John Thomas is detailed and caring instructor who can elevate anyone’s grappling levels. White to black belt, Coach John Thomas (JT) will guide you and add to your grappling style and ensure you the confidence to get better. Highly recommended for all levels of grappling. On top of the instruction, the students are just as helpful and provide great training/practice along with support. I started as a white belt with high school wrestling skills, Coach JT was able to take what I was good at, add on to the skills and make sure I was well rounded. overall, Coach JT is a great human being with a great program!
I’m a middle aged purple belt with 7 years training experience. If you’re looking for a place to train whether it’s for yourself or your kids this is a great choice. I train elsewhere but owner and head coach JT has welcomed me to cross train with him for years now. Zero ego just high level Jiu jitsu and wrestling mixed into a super effective grappling system. I enjoy dropping in class as well as taking privates with JT. My coach and teammates really noticed my improvements in stand up when working with JT. Overall it’s just a good place to train with an outstanding culture. The other guys and gals in the room all have great welcoming attitudes and I love having my Blue Collar Grappling friends. Definitely my Jiu jitsu home away from home. …(pro tip…go get JT’s takedown instructional on BJJ Fanatics too. Level up your game👍)
Coach JT networked with me over social media and invited me to a free class. Since then, I've attended Saturday open mats, two seminars, and invested in two private session packages. Coach JT makes an effort to invest time into each of his students and pays attention to the details while providing in-depth critique and advice on how to improve progress on the mats. Whether you are a hobbyist, competitor, or brand new to combat sports, you'll benefit from taking the time to check into blue collar grappling. I've never felt safer, happier with my performance, and at home as I do with the people who train under blue collar grappling.
It’s a great martial arts school with awesome individuals. Coach JT really takes his time to teach the techniques and also be there for each individual when the help is needed . Over the passed 2 years I’ve learned a lot from JT that made my bjj game better with some wrestling included as well .
I have been training Jiu Jitsu for years. The reason being is because of the professor. He’s very patient and driven. Knows how to teach and transfer his knowledge in a Myriad of ways . Patient , kind, knowledgeable and driven.
Great bjj gym and amazing people to train with
The instructor, JT, makes training fun and enjoyable. Being a beginner and using it as a way to lose weight, he was very understanding and would take time to show me modifications to certain moves so that I could still learn. The atmosphere is great and respectful and if you’re looking to learn or even continue to grow, I would definitely recommend you checking out Blue Collar grappling.
I’d give a million stars if I could. My kids and I have done classes and private lessons with JT and he teaches very well. Very straight forward and easy to understand. My kids and I love training with JT. Every time we train, my kids are happy, it gives them that boost of confidence and they always ask “when can we come back?” JT is very patient, passionate and respectful. One of the greatest coaches I’ve ever met and had the honor to learn from.
My daughter has been training with coach JT for about 6 years now and she absolutely loves it! He's an amazing coach a great with all ages. She's excited to see her friends every week at training and she loves the confidence of knowing how to defend herself IF needed! 😊 I love what Blue Collar Grappling is doing for our community!
Excellent place to be at the head coach JT is very understanding and takes his time with each student to make sure they understand the fundamentals of each move He teaches.I've been going for a few month and have learned alot from this establishment and don't plan to switch because I've learned so much in just a small amount of time.
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