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Ares East Mesa
Brazilian
Jiu Jitsu

Our Mission

Our mission is to provide an environment that is safe and supportive.  We believe in the power of martial arts to strengthen the mind, body and spirit. Our goal is to build a better community by instilling values such as respect, discipline and perseverance in our students.

We are an ESA approved vendor

Training We Specialize in:

  • At Ares East Mesa Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, our Gi Program focuses on traditional Brazilian Jiu Jitsu techniques, emphasizing grips, positional control, and submission strategies that are fundamental to the art. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced practitioner, our classes provide a progressive learning environment, with a curriculum designed to build strong fundamentals and refine advanced techniques.

    Gi training enhances understanding of leverage, timing, and control, offering depth in both self-defense and competition. Our structured program ensures students develop key skills such as guard retention, sweeps, escapes, and submissions, while also fostering patience and discipline. As students progress, they refine their movements through live sparring and advanced drills.

    We prioritize a supportive training culture, with experienced instructors providing personalized feedback to help students grow at their own pace. With a clear path to advancement through our belt system, the Gi Program is the perfect foundation for anyone looking to improve their BJJ skills and deepen their understanding of the sport.

    See The Schedule For More Information

  • At Ares East Mesa Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, we offer a comprehensive No-Gi program designed to enhance your grappling skills in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. Our No-Gi classes focus on wrestling-based takedowns, positional control, leg locks, and submission techniques applicable to both sport and self-defense. We provide multiple training sessions throughout the week to accommodate various schedules:

    • Tuesday: 7:00 PM – 8:15 PM
    • Wednesday: 6:00 AM – 7:00 AM, 11:30 AM – 12:45 PM, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
    • Thursday: 7:00 PM – 8:15 PM

    Our experienced instructors create a challenging yet supportive atmosphere, ensuring that every student, from beginners to advanced competitors, can develop their skills, improve their athleticism, and elevate their grappling to the next level. 

    See The Schedule For More Information

  • At Ares East Mesa Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, we offer a comprehensive Kids Program designed to cater to various age groups and skill levels, providing both Gi and No-Gi training sessions. Our curriculum focuses on instilling essential life skills such as discipline, respect, and perseverance, while teaching effective self-defense techniques in a fun and engaging environment.

    Class Offerings:

    • Little Warriors Jiu Jitsu – Gi: This class is tailored for children aged 4 and up, introducing them to the fundamentals of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with an emphasis on basic movements, coordination, and foundational techniques.

    • Kids Mixed Levels Jiu Jitsu – Gi: Designed for children aged 5 to 10, this class accommodates various skill levels, focusing on technique development, positional understanding, and the importance of teamwork.

    • Kids Mixed Levels Jiu Jitsu – No-Gi: This class is open to children aged 6 and up, emphasizing No-Gi techniques and strategies, enhancing agility, and promoting a dynamic grappling style.

    Our experienced instructors are committed to creating a safe and supportive atmosphere where children can thrive both on and off the mats. Through consistent training, students not only learn valuable self-defense skills but also build confidence, improve focus, and develop a strong sense of community. We believe that the lessons learned in our Kids Program extend beyond the dojo, empowering our young members to navigate life’s challenges with resilience and integrity.

    See The Schedule For More Information

  • At Ares East Mesa Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, we are proud to offer a dedicated Women’s Program designed to provide a supportive and empowering environment for women of all skill levels. Our program focuses on teaching effective self-defense techniques, improving physical fitness, and fostering a sense of community among female practitioners.

    Class Offerings:

    • Women’s Jiu Jitsu Class: This class is tailored specifically for women, covering both Gi and No-Gi techniques. It emphasizes fundamental movements, positional drills, and submission strategies, aiming to build confidence and competence on the mats.

    Our Women’s Program is led by experienced instructors who are passionate about sharing their love for the sport and helping women achieve their personal goals in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Whether you’re interested in self-defense, fitness, or competition, our Women’s Program offers a welcoming space to train and grow.

    See The Schedule for More Information

  • At Ares East Mesa Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, our wrestling program is led by Coach Aaron Wilson, a distinguished Jiu Jitsu Black Belt under Professor Augusto Tanquinho. Aaron is an avid competitor with notable victories on prestigious platforms such as EBI, ADCC, and UFC Fight Pass. He leverages his extensive wrestling knowledge to complement his high-level Jiu Jitsu game, offering students a comprehensive grappling experience. 

    Under Aaron’s guidance, the wrestling program focuses on developing essential skills such as takedowns, clinch work, and positional control, all tailored to enhance Brazilian Jiu Jitsu performance. The curriculum is designed to build a strong foundation in wrestling techniques, emphasizing their application within the context of Jiu Jitsu. This approach ensures that students gain a well-rounded skill set, improving their overall grappling effectiveness.

    Aaron’s coaching philosophy centers on personalized instruction, ensuring that each student receives the attention and feedback necessary for their growth. His competitive experience and technical expertise provide a unique learning opportunity for practitioners aiming to elevate their grappling abilities.

    For more information about our wrestling program or to enroll, please visit our website or contact us directly. 

    See The Schedule for More Information

Enroll in
our 
6-week
Trial

If you’re interested in trying Jiu-Jitsu, this is the perfect way to dive in! Sign up for a full 6-WEEK CHALLENGE!

Men, women and children alike start training jiu jitsu for different reasons. Some reasons may include: learning the art of jiu jitsu, self-defense, weight loss, the camaraderie of a team, a healthy family activity, exercise and more. The reasons people start jiu jitsu are personal for everyone. So, whatever your reason is for visiting our website, we would love to learn more about you and your reason/goals. Click below to start your journey and to see if we are the right team for you.

Reviews

Testimonials

David Blau

Ares First Degree Black Belt

“I highly recommend him as a Jiu Jitsu practitioner/instructor but more importantly as a person.”

During my almost 20 years in practicing and competing in Jiu Jitsu I have met countless amazing people. Few,if any, have impressed me more than Alex Martinez. Not only has he been able to positively transform his health and lifestyle, but himself as a person. Alex always leads by example. Not only does he outwork anyone in the gym, he is not afraid to put it on the line in world class competitions as well. Many instructors are afraid to compete as they might lose and look weak in front of their students. Not Alex!! What you see is what you get!…. This may be why the people that train with him and learn from him absolutely LOVE HIM!… he always gives 100% both on and off the mats. No matter if it’s in Jiu Jitsu, business, friends or his family, he is the man you want on your side. I highly recommend him as a Jiu Jitsu practitioner/instructor but more importantly as a person.

Joel Ellis

Ares Student

“All of the coaches at AEM are excellent, and the level of instruction is exceptional.”

My family and I have been training at Ares East Mesa since their first official class in August 2020. We knew Professors Alex Martinez and Chris Academia previously but have grown to love and appreciate them, their families, and the rest of the coaching staff even more since beginning our journey at AEM. The instruction, training, and atmosphere at AEM is second to none. The coaches provide technical detail, personal instruction and encouragement, classes that are mentally and physically challenging, and a positive attitude and support that enable each student to pursue his or her full potential. Jiu-jitsu is one of the most powerful tools for self-defense, sport competition, physical fitness, and personal growth, but AEM provides its students more than just these outlets. They provide real community, friendship and relationships that challenge, stretch, build, and improve those who give themselves to the discipline and process.

All of the coaches at AEM are excellent, and the level of instruction is exceptional. Alex Martinez and Chris Academia are not only capable jiu-jitsu practitioners and experienced competitors but skilled teachers and communicators, a combination in BJJ that is rare and valuable. The curriculum is well thought out, designed to instill disciplined, technical fundamental skills in new students while challenging and improving intermediate and advanced practitioners. The coaches in the youth program are simply extraordinary. Our children receive personal instruction from current world champions and active competitors who not only know our children by name but love, encourage, and personally support them on and off the mat.

Our entire family is thankful to have been part of the AEM family since the first day. We have been blessed by the instruction, training, and community there. I cannot recommend the academy highly enough. If you are considering starting jiu-jitsu–and you should–or looking for a place to train, you cannot do better than Ares East Mesa. It is more than a place to gain fitness and fighting ability. It is a place to find family and a more disciplined, healthy, and productive way of life.

Rich Pudleiner

Ares Student

“A fantastic coach”

Alex has the heart of a leader, coach, and competitor and he brings that spirit out in anyone who trains with him. I have witnessed him work with all ages of youth and adults. He exhibits patience while expecting and teaching to improvement. I personally have benefited from Alex’s ability to coach broadly and with technical accuracy, and my children have excelled in BJJ through his coaching and feedback. I can attest that he is genuine and wants the best for those with which he coaches and trains. If you are looking for a fantastic coach to start or further your jiu-jitsu journey look no further than Alex Martinez.

Vin & Marlena Vallejo

Ares Students

“Jiu jitsu has been a lifesaver for our family”

Jiu jitsu has been a lifesaver for our family for many reasons. It has not only brought us all closer, but it been such a positive activity we can all do as a family. It’s been a form of therapy, and after each class we walk away feeling accomplished. I’ve never experienced that with any other sport or form of exercise. The practice of jiu jitsu teaches you discipline, responsibility and healthy lifestyle. One huge reason we have fallen in love with sport is because of the coaches we have trained under. Alex Martinez is exceptional. He is patient, hard working and makes everyone feel like they can do anything. He leads by example and believes in his students. Training jiu jitsu has been one of the biggest blessings to our family and we would highly recommend the sport to everyone.