The Grappling Lab, located in Garden Grove, CA, is a premier martial arts school specializing in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). Headed by Coach Edwin, a black belt with a master's degree in exercise science, the gym offers a relaxed but focused atmosphere for all levels of practitioners. Edwin's teaching is praised for its detailed, clear, and holistic approach, emphasizing safety, cleanliness, and personalized instruction. Classes are structured to optimize learning with an emphasis on fundamentals, strategic techniques, and body mechanics, providing a unique, comprehensive grappling experience.
While the gym is only open on Mondays and Wednesdays from 8 to 10 PM, the quality of instruction and personal attention you'll receive makes it worth fitting into your schedule. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced practitioner, The Grappling Lab stands out as a top choice for anyone serious about improving their BJJ skills.
Pros:
- Outstanding instruction by Coach Edwin.
- Coach has a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
- Master’s degree in exercise science.
- Certified strength and conditioning coach.
- Focuses on fundamentals and strategic techniques.
- Classes emphasize safety and cleanliness.
- Friendly and supportive gym atmosphere.
- Small class sizes for personalized attention.
- Highly recommended for beginners and all levels.
- Detailed and clear explanation of techniques.
Cons:
- Limited opening hours (only 2 days a week).
- Newly established school, not widely known yet.
- Small class size might not suit everyone.
Location / Contact
- Address: 11562 Knott St #17, Garden Grove, CA 92841
- Phone:(714) 712-0538
- Email:[email protected]
- Website:thegrapplinglab.com
Rating Stats
Reviews (17)
Frequently Asked Questions
Except the peak hours, this place remains quite free or moderately crowded.
This business has a rating of 5.0-star.
This business has 17 reviews.
The address is: 11562 Knott St #17, Garden Grove, CA 92841 .
The contact number is (714) 712-0538
This service is listed under Martial Arts School .
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Ryan Cox
1 year ago
Friendly environment and great instruction at The Grappling Lab!
Brandon Jones
1 year ago
Good vibes, good coach, good rolls. Loved my time there.
dustin dizon
1 year ago
Great instruction from Coach Edwin. His background in exercise and his BJJ lineage is as legit as they come. Laid back environment but serious jiu jitsu. Oss!!
Sammy Roberts
1 year ago
Richard Nguyen
1 year ago
The gym is really grassroots. It's a super relaxed atmosphere with a great coach in Edwin. Not a lot of formality, as in no need to bow getting on the mat and Edwin doesn't go by Professor or anything. Great group of people as well, as everyone is friendly. Edwin explains technique in great detail -- he has an eye for common little mistakes in jitz like guard retention and grip fighting. His drills emphasizes correcting those mistakes and they make sense as a holistic lesson, rather than speed running a bunch of random techniques. He also emphasizes safety and cleanliness, which I appreciate.
Isaiah Tesfay
2 years ago
Coach Edwin is my first jiu jitsu coach and I could not have asked for a better one! He is super chill and very kind but when it’s time for jiu jitsu he’s completely locked in which I really appreciate as a coach. He teaches jiu jitsu in a way that makes sense and isn’t confusing. I only go to jiu jitsu about twice a week and I feel like I’m learning a lot and gaining much knowledge under coach Edwin. 10/10.
Tony
2 years ago
I first met Edwin while taking his group BJJ classes at a local gym. I ended up transferring to a gym closer to my house for a little while but then sought Edwin out again for 1on1 lessons about a year later because I wanted his help preparing for my first competition.There’s no getting around it. Edwin knows Jiu Jitsu. Sometimes the difference between okay technique and amazing technique is just a tiny adjustment. Edwin knows what these adjustments are. Every time I would attempt a technique, he would provide some small tweaks to optimize it. I was and am still impressed at how much he knows about the sheer mechanics of grappling. He puts a lot of emphasis on grips, hand fighting, head control. These seemingly small details that have made a huge difference in my rolls. I feel like I make a couple months worth of progress every time we meet for an hour.He’s also gotten me thinking a lot about strategy – what techniques are optimal for a person with my body type? What techniques will be optimal against my opponent’s particular body type? Hanging out with him is like drinking from the fountain of knowledge. Highly recommend.
Brian Tran
2 years ago
Cliffs- skilled black belt- has a masters in exercise science from a top tier school- certified strength and conditioning coach- posts incredible/useful information for grappling athletes on thegrapplinglab.com- rolled with him and he could've destroyed me (I'm not a novice, been at this for 8-10 years on and off and I'm a purple belt), but he took it easy on me and gave me useful advice that has been a game changer- Go to The Grappling Lab and train with EdwinEdwin is an outstanding practitioner of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, holding an impressive black belt and showcasing remarkable skill in the martial art. What sets him apart is his comprehensive understanding of the human body, thanks to his master's degree in exercise science from a top-tier university and program. This knowledge extends beyond manipulation techniques, as Edwin has a profound grasp of how the body functions. Additionally, he is a certified strength and conditioning coach, further enhancing his ability to optimize performance.My introduction to Edwin came through his website and his exceptional conditioning programs. I must admit, these programs are not for the faint of heart. They are highly effective, pushing me to my limits while producing tangible results. What impressed me the most was Edwin's generosity in providing a wealth of information for free, underscoring his genuine commitment to the growth and success of his clients.Having the privilege of rolling with Edwin was a truly memorable experience. Despite his superior abilities (I've been training on and off for about 8 to 10 years and I'm a purple belt), he recognized that I was returning to Jiu-Jitsu after a long hiatus. Instead of overpowering me, he skillfully balanced the intensity and ensured I felt both engaged and competitive. Following our session, he offered valuable advice that has undoubtedly contributed to my progress and improvement.If you're looking to enhance your skills, I wholeheartedly recommend Grappling Lab and Edwin. Not only does he prioritize your safety and injury prevention, but his expertise in both grappling and fitness is unparalleled. Edwin's professionalism, extensive knowledge, and unwavering dedication to his clients make him an exceptional choice for anyone in the area.
Enrique Daniel
2 years ago
Coach Edwin is a great bjj coach, he has a way of teaching that makes it very easy to understand the complex movements of jiu-jitsu, he not only teaches a technique but also teaches why each technique works and flows into another. He is very patient and takes the time to go over things if students don’t understand something and is always ready to answer any questions students might have. I couldn’t recommend his classes more!
Julian Nguyen
2 years ago
Been working with Edwin from the start of my BJJ journey and it’s been a great experience. It’s been 8 months and Edwin’s knowledge is on a different level. It helps that he has a masters in motor control, so his class is structured to really help you learn and ingrain the movements. He pays attention to details from the warm up, drill time, to the physics of why one technique works better than another. Highly recommend for all levels, but especially for beginners looking for fundamentals.