For brand-new students, we only offer the private introductory lesson. This allows us to focus all of our attention on you while you are learning the basics.

It also allows our instructors to focus completely on our current students during regular classes. This gives both new and current students the best experience and helps everyone get the most out of their time on the mat.

If you already have Jiu-Jitsu experience, the next step depends on your rank.

White belts still begin with our free introductory private lesson. We will go over the basic techniques and then leave additional time for you to ask questions about Jiu-Jitsu, including attacks, defenses, positions, or anything else you are curious about technically.

If you are a Blue Belt or higher, you are welcome to take the free private lesson or join an Advanced class as your trial.

Yes. You are welcome to come watch a class and see how we run our programs before you begin training.

No. You do not need to be in shape before starting Jiu-Jitsu. You can take breaks during class whenever you need them, and our Beginner classes start very slowly so your body has time to get used to the movements and training.

No. Our oldest students are in their 70s. You can start Jiu-Jitsu at almost any age, and you can train at a pace that works for you.

Wear comfortable workout clothes that you can move around in.

You do not need a Gi for your first private lesson.

Once you begin attending group classes, you will need a Gi. We have Gis available for sale at the academy, but if you already own one, you are welcome to use it.

Caique Jiu-Jitsu is a second-generation Jiu-Jitsu school founded in 2001 and the longest continuously active Jiu-Jitsu school in Los Angeles.

We have decades of experience teaching Jiu-Jitsu, and our programs have been continually refined to help students of different ages, sizes, fitness levels, and experience levels learn in a safe and structured environment.

Our adult program is divided into three levels so students can progress at a pace that makes sense for their experience.

Our general goal is around 40 Beginner lessons, but everyone progresses differently. Some students may move on sooner, while others may need more time.

Our instructors will move you into the Intermediate program when we feel you are ready for more complex techniques and, most importantly, ready to begin sparring safely.

Yes. Self-defense is part of our curriculum at every level, and some classes are dedicated entirely to self-defense.

It is especially important in the Beginner program. Early on, we want new students to learn how to deal with situations where a larger or stronger attacker is actually trying to hurt them.

Yes. Takedowns are an important part of both Jiu-Jitsu and self-defense.

Beginner classes introduce lighter and safer takedowns while students learn how to fall correctly. Intermediate classes add more takedowns, and Advanced classes continue to build on them with more complex techniques and situations.

Yes. We train both Gi and No-Gi.

Our No-Gi classes are currently Thursdays at 12 PM and 6 PM and are for Advanced students.

For beginners, we primarily train in the Gi. We believe the Gi slows the training down and gives new students more control while learning.

It also more closely represents the types of clothing someone is likely to be wearing in a real-world self-defense situation.

No. Beginners do resistance drills, but we do not have brand-new students begin regular sparring immediately.

You will begin sparring once you move into the Intermediate program and our instructors feel that you have the technique, control, and understanding necessary to train safely.

That depends entirely on your goals.

If you want to compete and train very hard, we will help you do that. If you want Jiu-Jitsu to be a fun hobby, learn new skills, exercise, and enjoy training, we will help you do that too.

You can train at the intensity that makes sense for you.

For most students, we recommend 2-3 classes per week.

There will naturally be weeks when you train less, and if you have the time and want to train more, that's great too.

All of our programs include unlimited classes, so you are welcome to train as often as you like.

A realistic timeframe is usually around 2-3 years of consistent training to become proficient.

By around the Blue Belt level, a student should generally have the skills to defend themselves effectively in many common self-defense situations.

In sport Jiu-Jitsu, this is also around the point where most students have developed a solid understanding of the major positions, attacks, escapes, and strategies.

Yes. You are welcome to attend any class that is appropriate for your current level, regardless of the class time or instructor.

Yes, although Open Mats are not held on a fixed weekly schedule.

We have a WhatsApp group where we organize Open Mats on certain holidays and occasionally on Fridays and Sundays.

As with any physical activity, there is always some risk of injury, but our number one goal with the program is the safety of every student.

That is one of the reasons we gradually progress students from Beginner to Intermediate and then Advanced classes. Techniques are selected for each program based on the student's experience level.

Beginners work with techniques that involve less risk, while more advanced students can safely work with more complex techniques because they have developed greater experience, context, and control of their movements.

Our warm-up was designed with a Doctor of Physical Therapy to strengthen and prepare muscles and areas of the body that can commonly be injured during training.

We also emphasize safe technique, control, and proper training habits throughout every class.

Your training partners will vary from class to class. Sometimes you may be the bigger person, and sometimes you may be the smaller person.

Our instructors will help you adjust positions and techniques so that you can train comfortably and safely, whether you are working from the top or the bottom.

One of the fundamental goals of Jiu-Jitsu is learning how to deal with someone who is larger and stronger than you, so training with different body types is an important part of learning.

Yes. One of the most amazing things about Jiu-Jitsu is how adaptable it can be.

Whether you have limited mobility, a long-term physical limitation, a temporary injury, soreness, or simply have less energy on a particular day, we can adjust techniques and training to help you participate.

Let your instructor know what you are dealing with so we can help you make appropriate adjustments during class.

We have a list of allowable techniques included in our welcome package, and the same list is posted in the locker room so students know what techniques are appropriate for their level.

Our instructors also closely supervise training and sparring. We watch the intensity of each round and step in when needed to reduce unnecessary risk and help students maintain control.

Safe training means using appropriate techniques, controlling your intensity, respecting your partner, and tapping when necessary.

Every student's uniform should be washed after every class.

From our side, we mop and disinfect the mats after every single lesson. We also work to keep the academy and training areas clean throughout the day.

Adult promotions are based on both attendance data and instructor discretion.

We have target numbers of classes for different stages of progression. These targets help us measure both student progress and how well our curriculum is working.

For example, if our target is 72 classes for a Purple Belt to earn their first stripe, we want the vast majority of students to have developed the necessary skills within that general timeframe. If they are not, that tells us we need to evaluate how we are teaching and improve the curriculum.

These numbers are guidelines, not guarantees. Some students progress faster and some take longer.

The final decision for every promotion is made by our instructors. Our instructor team discusses promotions together to make sure each student is ready to move forward.

The exact timeline depends on the student, but around two years of consistent training is a good general estimate.

Some students may progress faster and others may take longer. Promotions happen when our instructors feel that you are ready, not simply because a certain amount of time has passed.

Stripes work the same way as belt promotions. We use attendance and class targets as guidelines, but the final decision is always made by the instructors.

Students progress at different speeds. Some students may take significantly more classes than the guideline, while others may progress faster.

In some cases, an instructor may award a student two or three stripes at once if their progress warrants it.

No. Competition is never required for promotion.

We believe competing can be a valuable experience, especially from a self-defense perspective and learning how to deal with an unknown opponent, but it is completely optional.

Promotions are based on your progress in class, attendance, technical development, and the judgment of our instructors, not whether or not you compete.

Yes. You can definitely compete if you want to.

Talk with your instructor and we will help build a plan for you to get ready, prepare properly, and give yourself the best chance to succeed.

We offer several membership options depending on how you prefer to train.

Our most popular option is $199 per month for unlimited group classes, with no contracts.

You can see all of our current options on our pricing page.

No. We do not require contracts. We simply ask for a one-week cancellation notice.

We want to provide a service that students want to be part of, rather than something they feel contractually obligated to continue.

We are a family-run school, and we have many parents and children who train with us.

We strive to create a safe and healthy environment where everyone receives attention and every student can progress at their own pace.

Yes. Our academy has two mats, so we try to schedule many classes where parents and kids can train during the same time slot.

This makes it convenient for parents to bring their children and train at the same time.

We also periodically offer parent-and-kid classes as special events. As kids get older, they can also eventually join regular classes alongside their parents.

Yes, we offer private lessons in a few formats: single private sessions, a Gold Program that includes one private per month, and weekly private tracks - once, twice, or three times per week.

Yes. You can text or email us anytime to pause, change, or cancel your membership.

All of our group class memberships are unlimited, so you can take as many classes as you want.

The choice between group memberships mainly comes down to pricing, with our monthly unlimited auto-renew option being the most popular.

We also offer private lesson tracks once, twice, or three times per week for people who want individualized attention and a schedule tailored to them.