All of the instructors I've worked with at Balance are very knowledgeable and take an interest in the success of their students. I have found the environment to be very encouraging and supportive of my development. I think that comes from the top down - Phil sets a great example of professionalism and respectfulness. Balance has a wide variety of classes in multiple disciplines, and there's also a good mix of competition-focused students and hobbyists, so there's something for everyone. Speaking to the experience of being a woman in a male-dominated sport, I've found the atmosphere at Balance to be very inclusive to women and considerate of the unique challenges that we experience. I've consistently been treated as an equal member of the team. read more

Great class, awesome people. Dropped in from out of town and felt extremely welcome. I would highly recommend. read more

Balance Studios - Jiujitsu mat - Martial Arts Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The membership is $180.00 a month, it's definitely not bad if you're gonna go every day or 4 times a week. The easiest way to contact them is to text them. read more

The best training in Philly! Phil and Rick are world-class teachers, but so are so many of their staff and students. My jiu jitsu has improved immensely, and the optimal class timing means i get to train BJJ and Muay Thai. Lastly, the kid's class has also been an incredible environment for my 2 sons to learn and train. read more

What an amazing experience. Stopped in for the weekend and found this school to practice jiu jitsu. Everyone was very welcoming and inviting. The instructors Phil and Ric were incredible. I definitely learned and improved my jiu jitsu game just over a weekend. I definitely recommend this school to anyone looking for a great jiu jitsu school. read more

Balance studios Fishtown has a great atmosphere! Some of the most technical training I have experienced! The training space is super clean and very welcoming! There is so much history at this school as well. You can see there is truly a love for the heritage of jiu-jitsu here! You will truly feel welcome the first time you walk in! read more

Iconic brothers of Phila. They are the real deal. I wouldn't go anywhere else to learn BJJ.

I've been training with the Migliarese Brothers since 2003. I came after a year of training at another facility. I joined Balance at the recommendation of a friend an former teammate. I remember stopping in to check out a trial class while I was still a student at the other school. Phil told me to come train for free and pay the other gym until my contract ran out. That was a true testament to his character. I've since earned my black belt from Phil and Rick in 2013 and continue training there until today. I always learn something new whether it's a completely new technique or some subtle detail that I had been missing. I wouldn't have remained here almost 18 years if I didn't believe in the product. read more

To start this review off, I just wanted to say that I was always on the fence with what martial arts to study/train. Brazilian Jiu-jitsu was a thing I've heard about but never really knew where to go. Finally, my wife found this place and spoke to a man named, Steve, who is running the Fishtown HQ. She told me about the Sat/Sun classes and said I could start a trial to see what it was all about. (I was so nervous lol) Saturday morning, I woke up late at 10:20am (Their Muay Thai level 1 Class started at 10am) and I was already making excuses. I told her, "I'm already late and showing how undisciplined I am" and my insecurities was showing. She looked right into my soul and told me, "get off your ass and just go. Leave now." Thus began my sweet journey of training every weekend (with the exception of important days off) at Balance Studios. (Side note: the instructors totally understand when people are late but personally I don't like to be late at all. Self Discipline is important in general but overall they're very understanding of everyone's busy schedules.) I am obsessed with Muay Thai and BJJ/GJJ because of what Balance Studios offers. I am a weekend warrior (only train on the weekends) and because they have three different locations, I am able to have different options for my training needs. After training here for a year now (specifically at the Fishtown HQ) I have to say that I've felt like I've become a part of a family with many more family members (who train on the weekdays) that I still have to get to know. I am more on the introverted side and this place has made me feel comfortable approaching people as well as enjoying my time. Everyone is here to train for their own purposes and this is just a great place to start your journey on becoming a better you. I now want to train harder, smarter, better so that I can one day become an instructor myself (and whatever my heart desires along with this journey.) I want to compete in BJJ competitions, I want to compete in Muay thai bouts, and I want to overall live and breathe the essence of Martial Arts. I am amazed that this love I have created a new life and purpose for me. I originally wanted to become a filmmaker to make an impact based on my troubled past, and here I am now on a mission to understanding everything I've learned so far. I'm working my way of growing deeper into the realm of Martial arts so that I can make an impact in this way. To touch the lives of others the way the instructors/students have touched mines. Speaking of, I train with experienced instructors on the weekends as the schedule is a bit hard to train with the Migliarese Brothers (who are the owners/Founders of Balance studios) I have trained a little bit with both and follow their teachings on their social media pages and I have to say, They are inspiring hard working gentlemen! Overall, If you're looking for -a clean place to train with zero judgement from others (for the most part because most people here are awesome and humble.) -losing weight (I lost 30lb from 175lb to 145lb with changing my diet as well) -learning discipline, respect, and dedication -learning about yourself -being more active -finding a home for GJJ/MMA/Self Defense This is the place for you! Just give it a try (I believe there's a 7 day trial but call or email to ask.) and judge for yourself. It's the least you can do to take the next step on becoming a better you. read more

Balance Studios - Photo I've captured while two students were working on their technique. - Martial Arts Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

There's no way I can say enough good things about balance in this review. The instructors are all top notch, the training is world class and, most importantly, you'll never meet a more welcoming and inviting group of straight up killers. I've trained at a lot of great BJJ gyms all over the country and there's a reason balance is my home gym. I've met some of my best friends training here and the community is so top tier that when my wife was interested in starting to train, I didn't think twice about bringing her... that was 2 years ago and she's been training at balance ever since. If you're interested in competing, the competition training will get you where you need to be and then some. If you're interested in learning some self-defense, the balance curriculum keeps true to the core principles of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and focuses on real, proven self defense. No matter why you're interested in training, I guarantee you'll get what you're looking for here. read more

Balance studios is the best in business. Phil and Rick are the world-renowned instructors that have ever lace the sport of jiu jitsu under the guidance of Relson Gracie. Phil have been studying the art of jiu jitsu for 35 years. Not only Phil and Rick are a great instructors, they are also a great people that are generous to their community. I am grateful that I get to be a part of a great school. Learning new techniques and meeting new people and sharing the knowledge of jiu jitsu. Balance studios is place to be at for jiu jitsu read more

The new Balance BJJ studio in Fishtown is legit!! Spacious new clean mats, elite trainers, great location. My husband has been training with Balance for 13 years. The training here is hands down the best in the city. There is a reason some of Phillys top athletes are training here. Balance is the reason my husband commutes hours to go to this location. Trust me...check it out!!! read more

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I have trained at a lot of schools but balance studios is by far the best studio I have ever been to ... it's clean the classes are inviting and organized... the instruction is not watered down and it is the truest gracie jujitsu you can find ... I am very lucky and thankful to be training there !!! read more

I love this place. It is very clean organized and straight forward. The staff is very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. A great place for children to do martial Arts. My kids love coming here. The price is affordable and it's a great environment. It's worth every penny. read more

Awesome school with great instructions and training partners. I go to the CC location and NE as well.

Balance Studios new HQ in Fishtown is a one stop shop for Gracie Jiu Jitsu, MMA, self defense and yoga. I began training 2+ years ago at the Center City location. Rick, Phil, Josh and Drew are a wealth of jj knowledge and have been incredibly welcoming to me and all other students beginning their journey. After trialling several bjj schools I gained a great appreciation of what sets balance apart from other programs. -The gym is extremely clean. -All instructors were former competitors and highly accoladed. This comes into play because you are learning techniques that are tried and true. -There is a curriculum which is followed so that movements blend and there is themes to each class rather than random moves shown each week. -One week of every month is dedicated to street scenarios and self defense known as "Street Week". So many bjj schools have gone in the direction of teaching moves geared toward tournaments. Tournaments are great but I wanted to learn bjj as a form of self defense. -There are no goons, tough guys or hard a**es as they tend to be weeded out quickly. -Students are encouraged to go at their own pace as the age range is 5-72 (never to young/old to start!). - Many schools may be lucky to have one black belt in the school to teach and train with. It is not uncommon for there to be 10-15 legit black belts (and multiple high level MMA fighters) on the mat at any given time who are happy to train with everyone. -Lower belts are not shunned to an island to only train amongst each other and because of this the progress of balance students is much quicker than other schools. In conclusion, whether you are a novice looking to drop some lbs or an aspiring fighter, balance is the best gym with every resource necessary to succeed. read more

I love training here. I joined looking for an alternative to the usual gym experience, and am now in better shape than I've been in years. Everyone is very welcoming, which makes it a great place for beginners! read more

I have been fortunate to train all over in my travels for work. The Migliarese brothers have always been the stop to make when I'm in the northeast of the country. When I finally made the move to their school full time. I have to say they have been the most welcoming and truly made me feel like family from the beginning. Here and the famous Gracie Academy of Torrance,Ca have both made me feel part of a family. Which is fitting because of the common quality they share. The level of Jiujitsu, atmosphere, and instruction is fantastic. In Jiujitsu it is common for schools to develop a family feel. But few truly are and look out for each other. Phil and Rick model that behavior and are the real deal. Their training experience at the Original gracie Academy has led them to foster an east coast version of the same. If you're in Philly check them out. If you're looking for a place that will provide legit self defense and do so in an amazing atmosphere and you live in Philly this should be home. read more

There are plenty of places in Philly that will claim to have the best people, and the best instructors; but Balance is the only place that really lives up to that. The amount of Jiu Jitsu knowledge that is at every class at Balance HQ is astonishing. I have been to a good deal of Bjj schools over the years, and never have I seen the level of mastery in BJJ and the overall feel like at balance. Balance has so much to offer both on and off the mat, and you are doing yourself an injustice if you don't go there. No matter who is teaching the classes, you can bank that the person teaching it has it broken down and so easy to grasp, that you can not only understand how to do it, but implement it in live rolls. The number of high level people at their classes and their open mats will always challenge you, and after each roll will show you the respect and comradery that many of us in BJJ strive for. Phil and Rick have built an empire that is ever expanding, and every school that is associated with them is going to be as legit as they come. The path to Black Belt is a long and challenging one, and every single one from balance has earned theirs, and there is no disputing that. Do yourself a favor and go to an open mat and see what BJJ is all about, and meet the great people that have made this school what it is today. read more

I dropped into a jiu jitsu class as a visiting student. The class was taught by Phil Migliarese. He made time for everyone and was very open to any questions asked. His instruction and knowledge in jiu jitsu are not only top notch, but he does it in a manner that makes it fun and offers perspectives from his decades of experience teaching. I think the amazing thing is that from a jiu jitsu perspective, Balance Studios is able to provide you training whether you are looking for self-defense, sport/competition, and health aspects of jiu jitsu. I also watched Phil teach a Muay Thai class right before and was also impressed with the level of care he has for his students and the instruction. Balance Studios is an amazing one-stop shop for those seeking the most effective martial arts training. Most importantly, I found an extremely welcoming learning environment and culture with all the various levels of training partners/students on the mat from white to black belt. Great people. read more