Gracie Jiu Jitsu Long Beach

“Our son Jack has trained with Dean for more than 2 years now. He started training with Dean Wellen since he was 6 years old at a Jiu-jitsu close to us in Huntington Beach. Our son Jack was very taken and fond of Dean from day 1! So when Dean left that studio – it wasn’t the same anymore. We then decided to take private lessons with him instead. Once Dean opened his own dojo at Gracie Long Beach – we were very excited for him and happy to enroll Jack there!  I must admit – it is quite a drive for me coming from HB but our son absolutely loves taking his classes so it’s all worth it! Dean has a real gift with connecting to children. I think he was born to teach. He says one word and  they all listen to him!  One added bonus is we have Sofia too! The two of them are a great amazing team! The instructions they provide in class are easy to understand and they metaphor very good examples on how they can apply what they learned in class to real life situations. They teach them how to deal with bullies but at the same time stress that they should not hurt the bullies as well.  The classes are focused on not only learning but making it fun for the kids. Combining the two is a perfect recipe! To us as a family this is very important for our child’s learning but also influence. Besides their daily defense class – they also have “game days.” This encourages the kids to earn badges and work on their day-to-day character development. Last month for example – they were working on respect and this month they are working on citizenship. We love this because we work together as a family with our son and at the end of the day he is very proud once he earn those badges. It is hard to put into words why we like Dean because words doesn’t do justice! Dean has been a very good mentor/big bro to our little guy.  He is full of positivity, very hard working, easy going and just good hearted person!  He is a good influence on our son. We also love that Dean has always been very honest with us when it comes to Jacks character and development, etc. We like to keep our son busy with different activities but he says Jiu Jitsu is number one to him. I asked Jack as I’m writing this… Why do you like it so much Jack? He goes, “because Dean is the best! He is kind, nice and very fun!” If you want to be the best! You come here!”

“I’m a complete beginner and had been wanting to try Jiu Jitsu for years—finally pulled the trigger and couldn’t be happier that I chose Gracie Jiu Jitsu Long Beach. Dean and Sofia are amazing instructors who create a really supportive and welcoming environment. I’ve been attending classes for about 3 weeks now, and I genuinely appreciate how much care they put into making sure everyone is learning the techniques safely and effectively. They even offer a 10-day free pass to try it out—and let me tell you, I already knew I was ready to sign up for a membership after my first day! The class structure is super flexible, which is great for someone with a busy schedule—you can jump in at any time and never feel behind. The hour-long sessions go by so fast because they’re engaging, fun, and informative. As a total newcomer, I’ve felt nothing but encouraged and motivated. If you’ve been thinking about starting Jiu Jitsu, this is the perfect place to begin. Highly recommend!”

“I am a complete beginner, so I was a bit nervous going into Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Long Beach for my first class. I could not have imagined a more welcoming and encouraging environment. Dean’s (owner/instructor) ability to put you at ease while deciphering and demonstrating technique made the learning process fun and rewarding. There is also a very supportive community of advanced students that are eager to work with you and help you learn. I found myself amazed at what I was able to accomplish after just one session. The class got me sweating and breathing hard but paradoxically, I left feeling stronger and more energized than I went in. I went back 2 more times in my first week and every class was just as good. The price is very reasonable, and the studio makes for an excellent training space. I cannot recommend Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Long Beach enough.”

“One of the best Jiu-Jitsu instructors I’ve ever trained with. He has a real gift for connecting with students and breaking down techniques in a way that’s easy to understand and remember. Whether you’re a complete beginner or have some experience, this gym takes a smart and safe crawl-walk-run approach. You won’t be thrown into the deep end or get beat up on your first day — they make sure you’re learning at the right pace and building confidence step by step. I also had the chance to observe their kids’ classes, and I was genuinely impressed. They use fun, Jiu-Jitsu-based games to teach fundamentals in a way that’s engaging and age-appropriate. The kids were learning and having an absolute blast. Overall, an outstanding experience. Great people, great instruction, and a welcoming environment. Highly recommend this gym to anyone thinking about giving Jiu-Jitsu a try.”

“I’ve had the privilege of training with Professor Dean Wellen for the past 15 years at Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in Torrance, and I can confidently say he is one of the most knowledgeable, dedicated, and skilled instructors I’ve ever worked with. Dean is a Gracie Jiu-Jitsu black belt and an exceptional teacher who has played a significant role in my own Jiu-Jitsu journey. His ability to explain techniques clearly, tailor instruction to each student’s needs, and foster a respectful, encouraging learning environment makes him stand out as an instructor. A few years ago, I referred one of my closest friends to Dean for private lessons, as his schedule didn’t allow him to attend evening classes. Dean now trains both my friend and his son. Under Dean’s guidance, his son has gone on to medal in multiple Jiu-Jitsu tournaments—a testament to Dean’s skill not just as a practitioner, but as a mentor and coach. Having known Dean for so many years and personally witnessing the positive impact he’s had on countless students—men, women, kids, beginners, and advanced practitioners alike—I have zero hesitation in recommending him for both group classes and private instruction. His approach is technical, patient, and always grounded in the fundamentals of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. If you’re considering training, I highly recommend stopping in and taking a class with Dean. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your skills to the next level, you’ll be in excellent hands.”