Martial Arts Classes for Kids in Pasadena, Los Angeles
7 martial arts reviewed · 435 parent reviews · Updated 2026-06-22 · ★ 4.97 average
Pasadena has seven martial arts and wellness-movement providers along the Lake Avenue and Walnut Street corridors, offering BJJ, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, Tai Chi, Kickboxing, Krav Maga, and MMA. Two of the four BJJ academies carry notable lineage connections — Gracie family and Roger Machado. Body & Brain's Tai Chi and yoga approach draws students recovering from illness and stress.
💡 SBG SoCal on N Lake Ave runs a women-only Jiu-Jitsu class in addition to general BJJ and MMA — rare in the Pasadena area, and particularly beginner-friendly with multiple coaches per session.
The 7 martial arts studios, ranked
Ordered by overall rating and review volume
01
Body & Brain Yoga Tai Chi
250 N Lake Ave #101, Pasadena, CA 91101 · Tai Chi, yoga, and brain-body wellness — therapeutic and rehabilitation focus · ★ 5.0 (131 reviews)
Annabelle and Master Sunny lead Tai Chi and yoga sessions that reviewers describe as transformational beyond physical fitness. One reviewer writes that Body and Brain saved her life after two life-threatening health events; another notes that years of stress stored in the body began releasing after just a few classes — something that therapy could not achieve. Introductory sessions include a body assessment and philosophy overview before any class commitment.
Cost: Introductory session availableAdditional fees for workshops flagged by one reviewer
⚠
Parents love
Annabelle and Master Sunny praised by nameStress and emotional releaseRehabilitation for serious medical conditionsAccessible to all fitness levels
Watch out for
Higher fees reported — classes, workshops, and books add upBest suited for beginners and low-intensity practice — not for advanced practitionersStrongly wellness-philosophy focused — may not suit all families
02
SBG SoCal
603 N Lake Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101 · BJJ, MMA, kickboxing, yoga — with women-only and kids programs · ★ 5.0 (60 reviews)
Coach Marco heads a BJJ and MMA gym where reviewers cite his connection to Rickson Gracie as a credential benchmark. The kids program runs with multiple coaches per session for close attention ratios, and the gym explicitly teaches social-emotional lessons alongside technique — reviewers mention anti-bullying messaging, friendship, and respect as recurring class themes. A women-only Jiu-Jitsu class runs separately from the main schedule.
Cost: Described as very affordable by reviewers
Parents love
Coach Marco trains with Rickson GracieWomen-only BJJ classMultiple coaches for kids sessionsSocial-emotional curriculum for children
recur
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Fred, Aida, and Crystal are the named instructors across 22 detailed reviews. The Bullyproof kids program teaches children to neutralise physical aggression using Jiu-Jitsu holds without striking — specifically designed to avoid bully confrontation escalation. A 10-day free trial is available. Reviewers compare the facility to Equinox for cleanliness and design. Co-ed, children, and women-only classes all offered.
Cost: 10-day free trial available before commitment
Parents love
Fred, Aida, Crystal praised across all reviewsBullyproof anti-bullying program for kids10-day free trialEquinox-level facilityWomen-only and co-ed classes
04
Classic Kickboxing
91 Union St, Pasadena, CA 91103 · Kickboxing and striking arts · ★ 5.0 (46 reviews)
A Pasadena kickboxing specialist with a perfect 5.0 across 46 reviews. Classic Kickboxing focuses on the stand-up striking disciplines — kickboxing technique, footwork, and combinations — as distinct from the grappling-focused gyms on Lake Ave. Strong option for students specifically interested in striking arts rather than ground combat.
Cost:
Parents love
Perfect rating across all reviewsKickboxing specialistStriking technique focus
05
Roger Machado Jiu-Jitsu Pasadena
977 E Colorado Blvd #2, Pasadena, CA 91101 · Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu — Roger Machado Gracie-lineage · ★ 5.0 (42 reviews)
Roger Machado is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu legend — a Gracie-lineage black belt and multiple-time World Champion. This Pasadena affiliate carries that lineage directly. Perfect score across 42 reviews. For students prioritising documented BJJ pedigree, this is the strongest credential in the area.
Cost:
Parents love
Roger Machado Gracie-lineage BJJWorld Champion lineageConsistent 5.0 rating
06
FitSport Kinetics
801 S Raymond Ave, Pasadena, CA 91105 · Sports-performance martial arts and athletic conditioning · ★ 4.9 (65 reviews)
The highest-review-count among the 4.9-rated Pasadena options with 65 ratings. FitSport Kinetics blends athletic training with martial arts movement, offering a sports-performance approach to conditioning. A strong choice if fitness goals are the primary motivation alongside martial arts technique.
Cost:
Parents love
High review countAthletic and sports-performance focusNear-perfect rating
07
Krav Maga Unleashed
772 E Walnut St, Pasadena, CA 91101 · Krav Maga — Israeli self-defense system · ★ 4.9 (45 reviews)
Krav Maga Unleashed teaches the Israeli self-defense system developed for real-world threat scenarios rather than sport competition. Located on E Walnut St, this is the only dedicated Krav Maga provider in Pasadena — suitable for adults seeking practical self-defense skills over traditional belt-based progression.
Cost:
Parents love
Only Krav Maga provider in PasadenaReal-world self-defense focusNear-perfect rating
Watch out for
Pricing only given after a mandatory call with a sales rep — not disclosed online or by textHigh-pressure sales approach reported
✨ More providers coming soon
Five questions to ask before you enrol
Based on recurring patterns across Pasadena martial arts reviews
01
For BJJ academies, does the school hold regular belt promotions internally, or is promotion tied to competition participation?
02
Is a trial class or introductory session available before committing to a monthly membership?
03
For Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Pasadena, how does the Bullyproof program differ from a standard kids martial arts class?
04
Does the Tai Chi program at Body & Brain require any prior experience, and are there classes specifically for seniors or those recovering from injury?
05
Are there any joining or registration fees in addition to the monthly membership?
Frequently asked questions
Which Pasadena martial arts school is best for children concerned about bullying?
Recur's review of martial arts classes in Pasadena found that Gracie Jiu Jitsu Pasadena (W Walnut St) runs a dedicated Bullyproof program for children. The program specifically teaches kids to de-escalate physical confrontations using Jiu-Jitsu restraint techniques without striking — designed so children can stop aggression without retaliating in kind. SBG SoCal (N Lake Ave) also integrates anti-bullying messaging into its children's BJJ curriculum.
Which Pasadena BJJ school has the strongest lineage credentials?
Recur's review of martial arts classes in Pasadena found two academies with notable Gracie-family connections. Roger Machado Jiu-Jitsu Pasadena (Colorado Blvd) is affiliated directly with Roger Machado, a multi-time World Champion with Gracie lineage. SBG SoCal (N Lake Ave) has Coach Marco who regularly trains with Rickson Gracie — one of the most respected BJJ figures globally.
Is Krav Maga available in Pasadena?
Recur's review of martial arts classes in Pasadena found that Krav Maga Unleashed (E Walnut St) is the only dedicated Krav Maga provider in the area, with 45 Google reviews at 4.9 stars. Krav Maga focuses on practical self-defense for real-world situations rather than sport competition — there are no belt ranks or tournaments, making it suitable for adults focused purely on applicable skills.
Can Tai Chi classes at Body & Brain in Pasadena help with chronic illness or injury recovery?
Recur's review of martial arts classes in Pasadena found that Body & Brain Yoga Tai Chi (N Lake Ave) has multiple reviewers specifically describing recovery from serious medical conditions — including one who credits the program with saving her life after two health crises, and another who began releasing years of stress that therapy could not address. The program explicitly welcomes all fitness levels and ages.