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Versus Fitness & Martial Arts

4.9 ★★★★★ 34 Google reviews · Judo dojo in Montebello, California

Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons Competition

Plan your first class

  • Free trial or intro class most dojos 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 judo classes — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Private lessons private, one-on-one coaching available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
  • Open mat open-mat randori sessions for members to practice live — always optional and at your own pace
  • Competition a competition team for members who want to test themselves in shiai (tournaments)
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule versusfitnesscenter.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 562-743-2866

Hours

Monday 9 am–9 pm
Tuesday 9 am–9 pm
Wednesday 9 am–9 pm
Thursday 9 am–9 pm
Friday 9 am–9 pm
Saturday 9 am–9 pm
Sunday Closed

Hours shift for holidays, seminars, and open-mat times — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

Judo classes on the schedule at Versus Fitness & Martial Arts, confirmed in members' own reviews and the dojo's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🌱 Beginners 6 mentions

“It is privately owned and operated, has solid kids and teens programs from beginners to advanced, they offer parent and me classes, adult classes, and kickboxing.”

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🧒 Kids Judo 22 mentions

“It is privately owned and operated, has solid kids and teens programs from beginners to advanced, they offer parent and me classes, adult classes, and kickboxing.”

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Teens 3 mentions

“It is privately owned and operated, has solid kids and teens programs from beginners to advanced, they offer parent and me classes, adult classes, and kickboxing.”

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🥋 Adult Judo 6 mentions

“It is privately owned and operated, has solid kids and teens programs from beginners to advanced, they offer parent and me classes, adult classes, and kickboxing.”

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🏆 Competition (Shiai)

“The instructors always seek to help their students' reach their goals whether it be to compete, defend themselves in a fight, lose weight, or simply get in shape.”

All dojos that run competition (shiai) →

Other martial arts here

Judo dojos are often multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at Versus Fitness & Martial Arts — mined from their reviews and the dojo's own info.

🥋 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu 19 mentions

“ALL children, regardless of athletic ability, get to participate here and learn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in a safe, friendly and culturally diverse environment.”

Other dojos that also teach brazilian jiu-jitsu →

🏟️ MMA 2 mentions

Other dojos that also teach mma →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the dojo's own info — they show what members have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want BJJ, wrestling, or sambo alongside your judo, confirm the current schedule with the dojo.

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 34 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 6 mentions

“Coach Brian is a great bjj coach, curriculum is great!”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 9 mentions

“It is privately owned and operated, has solid kids and teens programs from beginners to advanced, they offer parent and me classes, adult classes, and kickboxing.”

🤝 respectful, no-ego dojo 31 mentions

“He creates an environment where all students are respected and feel safe which allows his students to open up, have fun, and learn how to defend themselves!”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 4 mentions

“always getting my questions answered if I’m struggling with a technique!”

🔥 great workout & conditioning 2 mentions

“Hey coach Brian I give 5 star because it makes me sweat and it makes me stronger thanks for making this gym”

🧒 strong kids program 8 mentions

“My daughter's confidence has developed and strengthened with what she has learned and the variety of strategies Brian has provided to support her learning.”

From the reviews

I visited here while on vacation from across the country and they welcomed my son and I with open arms. I had a blast with their adults class. I had Coach Brian for the day and he was very informative. He reviewed what they’ve been working on and caught me up to speed within minutes.

★★★★★ — Dee, Jul 2018

I was a member of versus a little while back until I moved, came across my old shorts and figured I’d leave a review. I tried different free trials in the area and overall decided on Versus. I mainly attended their Muay Thai class, but the overall atmosphere of the gym is amazing, very welcoming and knowledgeable.

★★★★☆ — John, Mar 2025

Coach Brian Armijo and his Versus staff provide the best experience a child could have in sports. ALL children, regardless of athletic ability, get to participate here and learn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in a safe, friendly and culturally diverse environment.

★★★★★ — Ryan, Oct 2019

Versus Fitness is a fairly new gym that is built under Brian Armijo. And although it is a new gym, coach Brian has created a positive environment in the gym along with excellent students who simply refuse to quit. I was a student under Brian for about a year before he opened Versus Fitness & Martial Arts.

★★★★★ — Ernest, Sep 2013

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 34 reviews →

New to judo? Start at Versus Fitness & Martial Arts

Versus Fitness & Martial Arts comes up as a beginner-friendly dojo — noted on their own site. If you've never stepped on a mat, 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 or flexible to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and sensei scale the intensity to you. Second, you'll start by learning to fall safely (ukemi) — reputable dojos build fundamentals (breakfalls, grips, a first throw and some groundwork) for weeks, live randori eases in gradually, and tapping early keeps everyone safe. Third, all levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out, and remember to bow in and show respect (rei). Most dojos are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first judo class at Versus Fitness & Martial Arts

Nervous about walking into a judo dojo for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good sensei expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, learning to fall safely (ukemi), then drilling a throw or two and some groundwork with a partner — not hard randori. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: athletic wear you can move in (or a judogi if you have one); you'll train barefoot on the mats. What to bring: water and a mouthguard if you have one — many dojos lend a loaner judogi for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own judogi. Live randori eases in gradually, once your fundamentals are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the sensei. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.

Judo is a contact sport. Ease in, tap early and often, listen to your sensei, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find Versus Fitness & Martial Arts

1431 N Montebello Blvd, Montebello, CA90640

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this dojo? Claim your listing — it's free.