Ages 15 and above · All levels · Irvine, CA
Adult Brazilian Jiu-Jitsuclasses in Irvine.Technique over force.
High-quality training in a controlled, safe environment. Our instructors prioritise safety, ensuring every movement is taught with care and precision — whether it is your first week or your tenth year.
01 Start here
The Fundamentals class
Our Fundamentals class covers the basic techniques and movements of Jiu-Jitsu, including essential self-defence strategies. These foundational skills prepare students for every level of training that follows.
- How to fall and stand up safely — the first skill, and the one you use forever.
- Engaging and controlling opponents without relying on strength.
- Escaping holds from underneath bad positions.
- Applying basic take-downs and submissions with control.
The four basic positions
Almost everything in Jiu-Jitsu happens inside one of these four. Learn them and the art stops feeling like chaos.
Guard
Any position where your legs are between you and your opponent, letting you use the strongest muscles in your body — hips and legs — to defend and control.
Mount
One person lying down with another on top above their hips. A powerful position, particularly advantageous for the person on top.
Side control
Controlling an opponent from the side without the involvement of their legs.
Back control
The “human backpack” — one of the most powerful positions in Jiu-Jitsu, giving you control from behind.
03 Submissions
Taught in a limited, safe set
Beginner levels work from a deliberately small submission list, applied with control and released the moment your partner signals.
- Chokes — applied to the carotid arteries, not the trachea, making the technique gentler and safer.
- Arm bars — targeting the elbow joint.
- Shoulder locks — targeting the shoulder joint.
- Basic foot locks — targeting the ankle and foot.
What training does for you
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu emphasises grappling and ground fighting, using leverage and proper technique to gain dominant control and resolve conflict with submission holds. The side effects are considerable.
- Facilitates weight loss
- Promotes functional strength
- Relieves stress through hard physical activity
- Teaches self-defence to protect yourself and the people you love
- Improves coordination, flexibility and balance
- Fosters a team-building atmosphere
- Builds self-confidence that shows up outside the gym
- Proven against larger, stronger opponents — the reason BJJ became central to MMA
05 Proof
From adults who walked in as beginners
06 Questions
Honest answers for adult beginners
Anything not covered here, just ask — call or text (657) 210-1615 and a coach will answer.
No. The Fundamentals class exists for exactly this. It starts with how to fall and stand up safely, then builds position by position. Every class at Phenom has beginners in it.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu relies on leverage and technique rather than raw strength, which is why people start in their thirties, forties and beyond. You control your own pace, and conditioning improves as a by-product of training.
Our instructors prioritise safety and teach each movement with care and precision. Beginners learn a limited set of submissions, chokes are applied to the carotid arteries rather than the trachea, and live training is supervised.
BJJ emphasises grappling and ground fighting, using leverage and proper technique to gain dominant control and resolve conflict with submission holds. It has proven effective against larger, stronger opponents, which is why it became central to mixed martial arts.
The adult Jiu-Jitsu class is for ages 15 and above. Anyone younger trains in the Little Phenoms kids program, which runs to age 14 and is grouped 4 to 5, 6 to 7 and 8 to 14.
Yes. Students train for self-defence, sport jiu-jitsu, submission grappling and MMA competition. Tell your coach what you are aiming at and they will steer your training accordingly.
07 Start here
Your first class is free.
No experience needed, no fitness prerequisite, nothing to buy. Here is exactly how it goes.
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01
Book it
Reserve your free intro class online in about a minute — or call and we will book it for you.
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02
Turn up
Comfortable athletic clothes are fine for a first class. Arrive a few minutes early and we will show you around.
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03
Train
Meet the coaches, learn a few basic movements and get an honest feel for how the room works.
Prefer to talk? (657) 210-1615 ◆
08 Find us
Two academies in Orange County
Our flagship academy sits in the Irvine business district off Von Karman Avenue, minutes from Tustin, Santa Ana, Costa Mesa and Newport Beach. Our second location serves Lake Forest and south county.
Irvine, CA 92606 Get directions