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Claudio Franca Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
4.9 ★★★★★ 14 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in Santa Cruz, California
Plan your first class
- Free trial or intro class most gyms welcome new members with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
- Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
- Kids & youth classes kids and youth muay thai classes — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- Fitness & conditioning muay thai fitness and cardio classes — a serious workout you can do without ever having to spar
- Fight team a competition team for members who want to test themselves as amateur fighters
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule claudiofrancabjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (831) 476-7650
Hours
| Monday | 4–7:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 3–7:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 4–7:30 PM |
| Thursday | 3–7:30 PM |
| Friday | 4–7:30 PM |
| Saturday | 9–11:30 AM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“My husband and children started their journeys here over a year ago and this place has done nothing but good things for our family.”
“The kids classes are always fun with plenty of younger kids and pre teens.”
Other martial arts here
“Very glad we listened to recommendations to give Claudio Franca BJJ a try.”
“I came to Claudio's with a background mainly in Muay Thai and some MMA training, but with a desperate need for improvement of my ground game.”
What members say
“Good vibes, great instruction and solid crew.”
“My husband and children started their journeys here over a year ago and this place has done nothing but good things for our family.”
From the reviews
My husband and children started their journeys here over a year ago and this place has done nothing but good things for our family. Very glad we listened to recommendations to give Claudio Franca BJJ a try.
I came to Claudio's with a background mainly in Muay Thai and some MMA training, but with a desperate need for improvement of my ground game. I have now been there for a few years and can say it's one of the best gyms I have belonged to.
Professor thomas is a great instructor and person in general very very kind man and also cannot forget nathan cool dude with a very talkble person will gladly help you out any way he can to improve your technique
Great dojo! Had a chance to drop in on a class while traveling. Good vibes, great instruction and solid crew.
New to muay thai? Start at Claudio Franca Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Claudio Franca Brazilian Jiu Jitsu comes up as a beginner-friendly gym — noted on their own site. If you've never thrown a punch or a kick, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and coaches scale the conditioning to you. Second, you won't be thrown into sparring — reputable gyms build fundamentals (stance, footwork, and the basic strikes of the "art of eight limbs") for weeks before any contact, and sparring stays optional. Third, all levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or fundamentals class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out. Most gyms are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.
Your first muay thai class at Claudio Franca Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Nervous about walking into a muay thai gym for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good coaches expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling the basics on pads and bags — not fighting. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: shorts or athletic wear and a t-shirt; you'll train barefoot on the mats. What to bring: water and hand wraps if you have them — many gyms lend gloves for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gloves, wraps, a mouthguard, and shin guards. Sparring is optional and comes later, once your fundamentals are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the coach. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.
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